More protesters expected in Makati anti-‘pork’ rally
MANILA, Philippines - More taxpayers are expected to attend the anti-pork barrel rally in Makati this Friday, organizers said yesterday.
Junep Ocampo, one of the organizers of the Ayala Tayo rally, said they expect more taxpayers to participate in the event following more revelations on the alleged misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel of lawmakers.
“There is nothing new with these protests. But there are new revelations that make people angry, so more taxpayers are expected to come,†Ocampo said.
He said the rally will be held in front of the statue of the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy†Aquino Jr. at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas.
Ocampo said rallyists should start gathering at around 3 p.m.
“We want to give all groups the chance to gather. Like what we did in ‘Sa EDSA Tayo’ and ‘Luneta Tayo’ rallies, we will all be learning and praying,†he said, adding that it will be “a sharing of experiences on the pork barrel.â€
Ocampo said while they are gunning for one million people to attend the rally, the number of attendees is not important.
“It is just perception. We are not after the numbers. It’s a gathering to show an occasion where Pinoys can express their outrage against the pork barrel scam,†he said.
Ocampo said they have already secured a permit from the Makati City government to occupy both lanes of Paseo de Roxas from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., adding that the traffic jam that the event is expected to create will be properly managed.
“The traffic along Paseo de Roxas is typically heavy on a Friday night, even without a rally. It is just a matter of managing it,†he said.
Meanwhile, Ocampo said the Senate should vote on whether or not it should subpoena businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles to attend the hearing of the Blue Ribbon committee on the pork barrel scam.
Napoles is alleged to be the mastermind of the scam.
Ocampo said the decision of Senate President Franklin Drilon not to subpoena Napoles is his alone and not of the whole Senate.
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