Pro-Aquino, anti-pork rallies set on Nat’l Heroes’ Day

MANILA, Philippines – National Heroes’ Day on Monday, August 25, may be a regular holiday but there will be such thing as rest for groups set to hold rallies on different issues.

At least two coalitions in Metro Manila – one against pork barrel and charter change and another pushing for the continuation of President Benigno Aquino III’s reforms – are both set to hold activities on the same day, although in opposite ends of the Philippine metro.

Several anti-pork groups will be convening in Luneta Park in Manila for the “Stand Up! Sign Up!: The People’s Initiative against Pork Barrel.”

Over at Quezon City, meanwhile, the Koalisyon ng Mamamayan Para sa Reporma (KOMPRe) is set to launch the coalition at the Ateneo de Manila University. KOMPRe, composed of groups, “aims to ensure that positive gains made under the Aquino Administration are continued beyond 2016 through the institutionalizing, broadening and deepening of reform processes within government.”

In an interview over government-run dzRB, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Palace hoped for an uneventful Monday.

“We just hope that the rally will be orderly, that’s all. Because nothing else would happen but their expression of grievances,” said Valte.

Boss’ calls?

The rallies come at a time when several issues hound the president.

There’s the administration’s controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), a spending program that realigned “savings” from slow-moving to fast-moving projects.

Three schemes under DAP have since been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court (SC). Aquino defended the program during a televised speech, and criticized the high court for its decision.

The government also asked the SC to reconsider its decision. 

Aquino also caused a stir over his change of heart on the issue of charter change. Previously against it, the President said in an interview he was now open to the possibility of charter change, including lifting term limits for presidents.

In a Facebook post, Bayan Secretary-General Renato Reyes Jr accused KOMPRe of being a “yellow cheering squad.”

“They will consolidate the supporters of Aquino and push for a second term. The LP, Black and White, CODE NGO and Akbayan are reportedly part of this group,” said Reyes.

KOMPRe, in an interview on GMA News, said they were not necessarily pushing for the lifting of term limits in order to allow Aquino to seek a second term.

Aquino earlier said he would “listen to his bosses” when it comes to the possibility of charter change and a second term.

A year ago, groups and individuals staged the “Million People March” also at the Luneta to call for the scrapping of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel of lawmakers. Around July 2013, media reports exposed the so-called “pork barrel scam,” where millions of public funds were stolen through fake projects and bogus non-governmental organizations. 

Several public officials accused in the scam, including Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Bong Revilla Jr, and Jinggoy Estrada, have since been charged for plunder and graft. The 3 are currently under detention. 

The SC has also declared the PDAF system unconstitutional. – Bea Cupin/Rappler.com