Cebu VS. Pork: More join 2nd rally

CEBU, Philippines - Yesterday's anti-pork rally in Cebu City generated more participants compared to the previous movement earlier this month.

Organizers pegged the attendance at about 10,000 but police had a more conservative estimate of 5,000, about 50 percent more than the number of participants in the September 11, 2013 event.

Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, head of the intelligence branch of the Cebu City Police Office, said the rally was generally peaceful.

The activity began with a march from the Fuente Rotunda at 1 p.m. and ended with a candle lighting ceremony and a symbolic signing of a unity statement condemning the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) at 6 p.m. at the Plaza Independencia.

The march interrupted traffic but Santander said this was eventually managed by personnel of the City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) and the Traffic Patrol Group. The PNP also deployed 100 of its personnel to secure the plaza.

At the Plaza Independencia, rallyists called on politicians involved in the pork barrel scam to go on leave while investigation into the issue is ongoing.

"We are calling them to go on leave while sigi pa ang investigation kay di gyud malikayan ang perception nga maka impluwensiya sila sa imbestigasyon," said Msgr. Rommel Kintanar, co-convenor of the Cebu Coalition Against Pork Barrel System,

In his homily during the Mass at the plaza, Msgr. Carmelo Diola, executive director of Dilaab Foundation, described the pork barrel system as beyond redemption.

"A growing number of Filipinos think the pork barrel system is beyond redemption like the rich man in our gospel. We agree with them. Giving people great power without oversight is prescription for disaster," Diola told rally participants. 

"Today we have come-individuals, families, groups representing various sectors, parishes and others-of different ages, social status, denominations and religions because something very wrong is happening in our country threatening the very sould of our nation. To be silent and to do nothing is to condone the wrongs. We join our voices with God who hears the cry of the poor," he added.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma who earlier urged Cebuanos to join the rally failed to attend yesterday's  event due to a prior commitment but sent a recorded message.

"We are not only decrying about the pork barrel practice but to also discern questions as to what happened to the poor. We also recommend solution as we study the legislative body. We are encouraged to be one in our love for our country. And pray that something wonderful will happen," Palma said.

Msgr. Cayetano Gelbolingo, the main celebrant of the mass, said in a separate interview said it is important for everyone, including the church, to find means to stop corruption. There were about 50 priests who co-celebrated the mass at the plaza.

Following the Mass, representatives of the Catholic, Muslim and Protestant churches led an inter-faith prayer.

Representatives from various sectors - labor, urban poor, senior citizens, persons with disability, fisherfolk, drivers, business, professionals and the academe were also given two minutes each to speak on their respective sentiments about the port barrel issues.

The sector representatives signed the unity statement as the song "Bayan Ko" was being played. Copies of the statement would be forwarded to the Office of the President, Congress and the Ombudsman.

Metodio Belarmino, spokesperson of Cebu Labor Coalition, said the group is not for the total abolition of the pork barrel, but for government to punish those involved in the scam.

"Kay ang pork barrel maayo man basta -audit lang sad gyud. Daghan siya ug pobre nga natabangan unya karon nga naa may TRO sa pag release sa pork barrel, luoy kaayo intawon ang mga pobre," Belarmino said.

He added that many poor Cebuanos could no longer enjoy the benefits of the pork barrel especially at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) since the funds coming from the congressmen were halted by the Supreme Court.

Spotted at the activity was Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama who has been vocal in his sentiments to scrap the pork barrel. Government officials were discouraged from speaking in the rally. — with Niña G. Sumacot/JMO (FREEMAN)