Cebuanos urged to join anti-‘pork’ rally

MANILA, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma yesterday urged Cebuanos to sign up and show their support for a people’s initiative to abolish the pork barrel system in the country.

In a pastoral letter, Palma said it is time for the people to take action to express their sentiments against the pork barrel.

“I support the move of the People’s Initiative to Abolish Pork Barrel. Since most legislators are not willing to legislate to abolish all pork barrel as a system, then the time has come to use the remedy enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. The sovereign people themselves have the legal and constitutional power to craft a law that will truly express the will of the people,” he said.

He also urged the people to participate in the National People’s Congress that Cebu would host tomorrow. A draft law that would start the national signature campaign will be presented during the gathering.

“Once the required votes are in, the people’s initiative becomes a law. (It is) not subject to veto by the President,” Palma said.

“My strong desire is that the whole archdiocese of Cebu becomes one in supporting this advocacy, which is also my own personal advocacy,” he said.