Kiko gives up pork barrel

Senate Majority Leader Francisco Pangilinan said yesterday he is not turning his back on his commitment to desist from availing himself of pork barrel funds this year.

"I’m sticking to the 50 percent slash while I’m giving up 50 percent in favor of President Arroyo’s anti-poverty program," he said in a text message to The STAR.

He is the third senator to give up his pork barrel. Last Friday, Senate President Franklin Drilon and opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson said they were cutting their P120 million each from the P907-billion 2005 national budget as their token contribution to efforts to bring the huge budget deficit down. The deficit this year is projected to reach P180 billion.

Aside from Drilon and Lacson, Sen. Alfredo Lim had promised to not avail himself of his funds. If he makes good his promise, he will be the only neophyte who is not touching the controversial pork barrel.

Pangilinan had authored a resolution urging his colleagues to give up half of their pork barrel allocations. The resolution was signed by Drilon, Juan Flavier, Richard Gordon, Lito Lapid, Ramon Revilla Jr., Pia Cayetano, and Ramon Magsaysay Jr. — Jess Diaz