IBP Cebu demands abolition of PDAF

CEBU, Philippines - Abolish the pork barrel.

This is the stand of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City Chapter on the issue of the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Lawyer Elaine Bathan, president of the IBP Cebu City Chapter said their chapter has joined the call to abolish the pork barrel.

“The IBP Cebu City Chapter has consistently lobbied for public accountability, transparency, and good governance. Clearly, there is a need to revisit the system on checks and balances to ensure that programs geared to benefit the people and infrastructure projects are delivered and that appropriations are fully used and exhausted for such purpose only,” the statement reads.

The issue of pork barrel funds stemmed from a “P10 billion scandal” that involves Janet Napoles. Reportedly, Napoles allegedly used non-government organizations to take the pork barrel funds from lawmakers.

In the past, Bathan said the IBP Cebu City Chapter “fearlessly demanded” for the resignation of officials whose “reputation has been put to question due to issues on public accountability and public trust.”

Hence, they are calling the senate and the congress to conduct an in-depth investigation on the issue of misappropriated funds in an unbiased way and to file appropriate charges against those involved in the scam.

“With the willingness to serve in government comes, the commitment to maintain the trust reposed by the people whom one has chosen to serve,” the statement read.

Last Monday, different organizations from various groups participated in the simultaneous protest around the country calling for the abolition of the pork barrel.  (FREEMAN)