March for 1 Million

Democracy was restored by then President Corazon C. Aquino. This was after the success of the first Epipanio Delos Santos Avenue or EDSARevolution.

There was a protest against Priority Development Assistance Fundor PDAF also known as Pork Barrel. There was a call to March for a Million which is a call not only for the citizens of Manila but also the people of the Philippines and the world.

There were a few different individuals who joined the rally: film artists, lay persons from different classes like class A, B, C, D, and E. There were even lovers who joined. Cyclists sweat too as a sign of protest.
Pork Barrel is one of the extreme means of concrete manifestation of Graft and Corruption. Pork images were shown during the protest rally. In fact, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, D.D. showed his protests against Pork Barrel as he went to Luneta Park. This is unusual for the Cardinal Chito to do. Thus Filipinos rally goers were glad and happy. The Philippine Government has to do an act against Pork Barrel.

Napoles herself is an eye-opener for this concrete corruption being done by mostly but not all government officials. I do accept there are others who did not get their Pork Barrel to show their sincere service for the Filipino people.
President Benigno, S. “Pnoy” Aquino III is the son of then President Corazon C. Aquino and Philippine National Hero Sen. Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., also has the PDAF or Pork Barrel. This rally protest also happened abroad. Pnoy as the head of the state needs to show the people how to eradicate Pork Barrel.

It allows me to see the move of Pope Francis being the hierarchical head of the Church. I see His Excellency Francis’ “facebook” picture. He removes the red carpet, and sits on a simple chair with a simple white chasuble. This is a concrete manifestation of the vow of poverty. The Pope himself says that he is ashamed to priests and nuns who ride prestigious cars. They need to remember the poor.

In the context of the Philippines, Luis Antonio Cardinal “Chito” Tagle, DD was emotional after seeing lives of poor who use cartoons to sleep. They don’t have houses to stay but streets. He himself wants to abolish Pork Barrel instead use the money to poor people. Yes, Pnoy is following the “tuwid na daan.” He needs to show this by his clear action that manifest his sincerity like his father and mother.

Allow me to share an experience with Lingap Center for the Mentally Challenged at Durian St., Tugbok, Davao City. There are 26 residents who were brought by the Quick Reponse Team and the Philippine National Police. They did not know who the children’s parents are. They are abandoned. In fact, there are parents who want to leave their children to Lingap Center. For sure none are accepted. It is the parents’ obligation to provide for their children.
Mr. Ernesto Gudmalin also known as Kuya Lolong is 12 years old House Parent. He received his appointment during the feast of St. Peter last June 29, 2001. He first did not want to follow the appointment but need to report for compliance. He learned to love the childrenafter a month of sincere service. According to Kuya Lolong, Lingap Center is a temporary but permanent residence for Mentally Challenge Children. I agree after seeing Eboy, he is one of the oldest. He acts like a kid. I always hear him looking for his Mama. He may be left by his mother during his childhood. These people are in need of help. The Pork Barrel given to different government officials can be of huge aideto them. The city government is doing a good job. But it always differs if there is additional help like the proper usage of Pork Barrel Fund.

The 1 Million March plays a vital role to awaken the Philippine Government. They need to do something fast to comply the demand of the people. It needs to be peaceful, as peaceful as the EDSA 1.

Yes, the Pork Barrel is the best manifestation of Graft and Corruption.As I go with the point of view of one of the unknown political adviser who says, we may not abolish Pork Barrel but there needs to be a law on how to properly use it. On the other side of the coin, congressmen and senators are the ones who will make the law. Will they create a law for the proper usage of the Pork Barrel? Or will the Philippine President make an independent group to build the rules. Shall we still use the abused name of Pork Barrel?