Tens of thousands of Filipinos protest "pork barrel" funds

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

Tens of thousands of Filipinos protest "pork barrel" funds

By Rosemarie Francisco

MANILA (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Filipinos angry at official corruption marched through the center of Manila and other cities to demand the abolition of a misused fund for legislators' pet projects, the biggest protest aimed at Benigno Aquino's government.

Aquino came to office in 2010 on a good governance and anti-corruption platform and consistently enjoys popularity ratings of more than 70 percent, but the Philippines remains one of the most corrupt countries in East Asia.

Protesters, responding to a call to wear white, converged on Manila's largest park angry at the misuse of "pork barrel" funds under the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

The money is frequently channeled to projects solely to impress voters, though many have turned out to be non-existent.

Aquino said on Friday the government would plug leaks in the fund, an announcement appeared timed to preempt Monday's march, and a presidential spokesman said the protesters and government wanted the same thing.

"The message is clear - we are on the same side. We are against corruption," spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters.

But the protesters disagreed. Church and civic groups, health workers, students and entire families ignored Aquino's promise to overhaul the PDAF and called for its abolition.

"Just transfer the funds to department agencies delivering services," said Jun Bernandino, a quadriplegic who joined the march. "They are lawmakers, not service providers. Give the agencies enough budget to deliver the services the people need."

Police said around 60,000 protesters thronged Luneta Park, some wearing pig masks and headgear. Others carried banners saying "Scrap pork barrel" and "No to pork".

Organizers had hoped for a million to join the protest which is not expected to hurt Aquino's popularity.

Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, the charismatic archbishop of Manila who many thought a strong candidate to become pope during this year's Vatican conclave, joined the protest saying it was time for the government to show greatness.

About 5,000 left-wing rallyists took the protest to the nearby presidential palace while a few thousand stayed at the park waiting for a free concert organized by one of the protest groups. About 1,500 police were deployed, but no incidents were reported.

Civic groups called the protest after a state audit showed some lawmakers had funneled 10 billion pesos ($226 million) in total to non-existent projects and groups under the previous government of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who has since been charged with plunder and electoral fraud.

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I certainly hope PI can reduce government corruption for the benefit of all Filipinos. (but) Currently, I am not optimistic.

How 'bout you?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Marcos was a good commie killer.

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

Marcos was a good commie killer.

I think that's exactly what Ronnie was telling him when they took this picture...

or...Damn ...it's freaking hot.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

My wife is Ilocano. Marcos is the Great Ilocano.

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

My wife is Ilocano. Marcos is the Great Ilocano.

The Giant Filipino Patriot. Does Asawa Mo still consider him to be the Ilocano pride?

My wife says - although he was corrupt....Marcos accomplished good things for the PI.

ETA: I just checked Asawa Ko's vote = No. Marcos was not a good President. Now I'm confused.

Edited August 26, 2013 by Crashed~N2~Me

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The Giant Filipino Patriot. Does Asawa Mo still consider him to be the Ilocano pride?

My wife says - although he was corrupt....Marcos accomplished good things for the PI.

ETA: I just checked Asawa Ko's vote = No. Marcos was not a good President. Now I'm confused.

You have to ask a Filipina the same question three times to get an honest answer. The first answer is the polite answer. The second answer is the one she thinks you want to hear. The third answer is about as close to the truth as you will ever get.

It drives me nuts every time we go to the doctor.

Edited August 26, 2013 by The Patriot

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

You have to ask a Filipina the same question three times to get an honest answer. The first answer is the polite answer. The second answer is the one she thinks you want to hear. The third answer is about as close to the truth as you will ever get.

It drives me nuts every time we go to the doctor.

I have definitely become better at asking properly phrased pinpoint questions. Saves time.

But apparently I failed this time.

Edited August 26, 2013 by Crashed~N2~Me

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I just run with the first answer. That will teach her!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The Aquinos are something else - land reform for everybody but them and all their Chinese relatives. If the Filipinos every nationalized all their industry and kicked out all the thieving Chinese, they could actually make the Philippines a nice place for all their people.

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

The Giant Filipino Patriot. Does Asawa Mo still consider him to be the Ilocano pride?

My wife says - although he was corrupt....Marcos accomplished good things for the PI.

ETA: I just checked Asawa Ko's vote = No. Marcos was not a good President. Now I'm confused.

Honey, I voted "No" and I am certain of my vote. Although some good things came from Marcos' presidency, Marcos himself behaved like a fascist dictator. Everything was his way. And who assassinated Aquino? Marcos.

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

I have definitely become better at asking properly phrased pinpoint questions. Saves time.

But apparently I failed this time.

Honey, you may have improved your questioning skill, but your listening still needs a lot of work.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Honey, you may have improved your questioning skill, but your listening still needs a lot of work.

You so mean! I wish my wife would scold me like that.

[Darnell 8,478]

The Aquinos are something else - land reform for everybody but them and all their Chinese relatives. If the Filipinos every nationalized all their industry and kicked out all the thieving Chinese, they could actually make the Philippines a nice place for all their people.

^^^ This.

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

The Aquinos are something else - land reform for everybody but them and all their Chinese relatives. If the Filipinos every nationalized all their industry and kicked out all the thieving Chinese, they could actually make the Philippines a nice place for all their people.

Nationalized? That seems a bit Venezuelan.

I am certainly happy to get more& more customer service calls answered by Filipinos. The English is pronounced sharply and clearly. Makes for a better call experience. I still remember hanging up on a few different (not Filipino) call reps in late 90s early 2000s hoping when I called back it would be some1 I could understand. Sheesh - if gonna outsource call centers..at least do it with some1 that speaks English clearly & so far - Filipinos are doing an excellent job.

You so mean! I wish my wife would scold me like that.

That's just the VJ voice....in person...it's scary...very scary.

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

^^^ This.

I'm always amazed how Darnell suddenly appears whenever some1 posts the word "Chinese". He's got some kind of specialized follow function.