As Cebuanos Prepare for rally, SC issues TRO vs pork barrel

CEBU, Philippines - The Supreme Court on Tuesday barred the release for the rest of the year the congressional Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and President Benigno Aquino III’s Malampaya Funds, commonly known as pork barrel, the subject of recent investigations due to alleged misuse.

The SC, after an en banc meeting, issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the release of PDAF left in the 2013 national budget.

“The court resolved to issue a temporary restraining order enjoining the Department of Budget and Management, the National Treasurer, the Executive Secretary or any persons acting under their authority from releasing the remaining (PDAF) allocated to members of Congress under the General Appropriations Act of 2013,” the court said in a statement.

The TRO also applies to “the Malampaya Funds under the phrase, ‘for such other purposes as may be hereafter directed by the President’,” the high tribunal added.

The Malampaya Funds, however, was only partially restrained allowing it to be used for “financing energy resource development, exploitation programs and projects of the government” under Section 8 of the Presidential Decree No. 910.

All SC justices unanimously agreed on the halt order, acting on three petitions filed by former senatorial aspirant Greco Belgica, political party Social Justice Society and a certain Pedrito Nepomuceno seeking to declare the PDAF allocation unconstitutional.

The TRO comes amid controversy on the multi-billion pork barrel scam allegedly masterminded by Janet Lim-Napoles.  Napoles allegedly facilitated the use of several lawmakers’ PDAF through bogus non-government organizations.

President Benigno Aquino III has bared plans to scrap the existing pork barrel system amid public protests.

Local rally

In Cebu, meanwhile, residents are gearing up for the anti-pork barrel prayer-rally dubbed as “Fuente Ta” today at 6 p.m. at the Fuente Rotunda.

“It’s time for Cebuanos to show their indignation against this pork barrel scam. Please come and join the anti-pork rally,” said Stella Palomo-Monteño in an interview with The Freeman yesterday.

Monteño, the creator of the Facebook page “Fuente Ta” said the campaign has generated at least 7,000 followers since the page was opened on August 31, 2013. Monteño said everyone, except politicians, is encouraged to participate in the rally.

“Politicians are encouraged not to attend kay basin sila ang mabalingan sa kasuko sa katawhan. I cannot guarantee their safety although this is a peaceful and prayerful rally,” Monteño said.

Monteño added that she has no numbers as to how many people will attend but hope that many will, since after all, the pork barrel is people’s money.

“This is our money nga ilang gilustay. We have to put a stop on this (This is our money that they abused. We have to put a stop to this),” she said.

“This event has nothing to do with his birthday. This is not a birthday celebration of Marcos. Everything is just coincidental,” she added.

In line with tonight’s activity, City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) Executive Director Atty. Rafael Christopher Yap warned motorists plying streets near the Rotunda to expect traffic congestion.

“Our advice to motorists is to anticipate heavy traffic. Being a Redemptorist novena day, we expect this to exacerbate traffic. But we will have people to help those who cross the circle. Strictly no parking around the rotunda and we will implement existing pay parking areas,” Yap said.

He said 25 CITOM personnel will be deployed in the vicinity. Authorities expect the crowd to reach up to 5,000.

Identifying herself as one of the organizers, Abbie Canturias explained before yesterday’s meeting that the venue could no longer be changed since participants have already been informed about the activity and the rally itself is called “Fuente Ta.”

CITOM operations head Joy Tumulak said Canturias explained this to city officials during the coordination meeting, which was attended by City Administrator Atty. Jose Marie Poblete.

Designated as parking area for participants’ vehicles include existing parking areas, portion of B. Rodriguez right in front of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, and a portion of Osmeña Boulevard in front of the Department of Health Central Visayas building.

Drop off and pick up points are the former Fuente Police station and in front of a bank beside the Cebu Maternity Hospital, both facing the rotunda. – Philstar.com with Mitchelle Palaubsanon and Jessa J. Agua/JMO