Sign Up, Stand Up Against All Pork

Protesters joining “Stand Up, Sign Up Against All Pork.” Photo by Michael Angelo Dacalos, MSC.

National Heroes. This took a different image last August 25, 2014 when people from all walks of life gathered at Luneta to celebrate more meaningfully the day.

Thousands of people showed up in “Sign Up, Stand Up Against All Pork,” the kick-off event  in a series of activities with regard to the signature campaign for a People’s Initiative to pass a bill that seeks to abolish the Pork Barrel System in the government.

WHERE IS THE CHURCH PEOPLE?

At 7 am, a concelebrated Mass was held. Before the giving of the Final Blessing, one of the concelebrating priests read the letter of Cardinal Tagle in support for the People’s Initiative against the Pork Barrel System.

After the mass, Ret. Archbishop Oscar Cruz did a “survey” among those who attended with regard to the performance of President Benigno Aquino III. Most gave the president a zero mark.  A letter of support by Archbishop Socrates Villegas, CBCP President, was also read during the event.

Further, the AMRSP supported the event through the presence of many religious priests, sisters, and brothers who also affixed their signatures.

Furthermore, other religious groups also showed up in support for the event. An ecumenical service was held at around 8:30 am.

Meanwhile, volunteers—students, employees, seminarians—helped in facilitating the people in affixing their signatures, making sure that those who would sign were registered voters and knew why they were signing the forms. The signing continued until about 1 pm. Then the participants walked from Luneta to Mendiola.