CBCP supports Sept. 11 rally vs pork barrel fund

CBCP president Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said the CBCP is supportive of the mobilization of lay people and various groups who are calling for the total abolition of the pork barrel and the presidential special funds of President Benigno Aquino III.

 

"We are not making a formal statement...People has already organized. Ours is an expression of solidarity. What we are saying is to let people join but we are not organizing that. It’s about time that people manifest their own conviction," Archbishop Palma told Church-run Radyo Veritas.

 

The CBCP chief, however, said he cannot join the event because he will be attending the Pontifical International Eucharistic Congress on September 10.

 

Archbishop Palma reiterated his stand that the priority development assistance fund or pork barrel of legislators is the root of greed and corruption in the country.

 

He also noted that pork barrel is only being utilized to propagate political patronage.

 

He added that the government should be more creative in looking for other ways to deliver the basic social services to the people.

 

 "We want PDAF to be (abolished)  and find ways to reach out to the poor ," the Cebu Archbishop said.