Over 2,000 attend #ScrapPork protest

Buena Bernal

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At least 2,000 protesters attend the #ScrapPork protest at Ayala Ave in Makati City on Friday, October 4

AYALA PROTEST. Police authorities estimate the crowd during the Ayala protest on Friday, October 4, at 2,400. Photo by Charlie Ledesma

MANILA, Philippines – More than 2,000 protesters attended the #ScrapPork protest at the Ayala Ave in Makati City on Friday, October 4, according to police estimates.

The mass action called for the abolition of all forms of pork barrel, funds which government officials have discretion over manner and time of disbursement.

READ: #ScrapPork network gears up for Ayala protest

Makati City chief of police Manuel Lucban said the number of protesters was at 2,400 and peaked at around 5 pm during the program. 

Activist Nato Reyes, one of the protest organizers, said that the crowd could be at 8,000 given both the organized groups and the unaffiliated individuals who attended.

The protest featured live performances by artists and speeches endorsing specific policy recommendations. But the organizers made it clear that the network is not calling for the removal of President Benigno Aquino III. 

READ: #ScrapPork groups: Channel funds to grassroots

The #ScrapPork network – the expanded group that includes the original organizers of the #MillionPeopleMarch in Luneta last August 26 – presented a list of 8 demands for the government to execute.

READ: #ScrapPork network bares 8 demands

The crowd dispersed earlier than 8 pm, the expected end of the program, due to a sudden heavy downpour.

Diverse speakers and groups

Among those who spoke were Lidy Nacpil of the Freedom from Debt Coalition, NBN-ZTE scam whistleblower Jun Lozada, former national treasurer Liling Briones, representatives of the labor sector, and leaders of advocacy and religious groups.

INFORMATIVE. Lidy Nacpil explains to the Ayala crowd the breakdown of government funds. Photo by Buena Bernal/Rappler

Former Archbishop Oscar Cruz, also one of the speakers, expressed dismay over what he calls “foolishness” in government affairs.

“Alam mo parang comedy ito. Aalisin daw yung pork barrel ng lehislatura – Kongreso at Senado. Pero yung executive department, hindi lang aalisin, mas malaki pa. Lokohan ito,” he said.

(This is like a comedy. They say they will remove the pork barrel of the legislative – the Congress and the Senate. But [for] the executive department, it will not be removed and will even be bigger. This is foolishness.)

“Hindi ko sinasabing magnanakaw ang presidente. Ang sinasabi ko lamang, pinapaikot siya nung nakaikot sa kanya… Ang nahihirapan parati yung mga taong mahihirap,” he added.

(I’m not saying the president is a thief. What I’m simply saying is he is being tricked by those around him… Those who suffer are the poor.)

WATCH: Aquino slammed before father’s monument

While everyone supporting the #ScrapPork movement united around the call to abolish all forms of pork barrel, opinions differed on to how to carry on the protest.

Workers from the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry called for a 3-month tax holiday for Filipinos.

READ: Big businesses urged to join #ScrapPork protest

“If the taxes we pay to the government are merely being pocketed by big politicians, we might as well keep our money and have a tax holiday,” said the BPO Industry Employees’ Network in its statement. 

There were also groups during the protest who called for the impeachment of President Aquino. – Rappler.com


Missed the day’s action? Check out the live blog here.

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