Protesters ready pigpen for ‘pork scam’ lawmakers

MANILA, Philippines — The anti-pork alliance, led by the militant umbrella organization Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Metro Manila (Bayan-MM), is readying a pigpen for a mammoth rally on Thursday, June 12, timed with Philippine Independence Day.

The symbolic pigpen –  dubbed “kural (pigpen)” – contains a photo collage of about 120 politicians implicated in the pork barrel scam which has channeled public funds to bogus projects coursed through fake nongovernmental organizations of alleged mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

“Kulungan ng mga baboy ng lipunan [Holding pen of pigs in society],” said Mark Louie Aquino, Secretary-General of Bayan-MM, in  describing kural.

The militant group expressed fear of a possible “selective prosecution and cover-up” in the ongoing probe of the biggest corruption scandal in recent Philippine history.

“Out of the almost 20 past and present senators, 100 former and incumbent congressmen mentioned in the Napolist of the alleged pork barrel queen Janet Lim-Napoles, we are wondering why investigations and filing of cases seem to focus only on very particular personalities,” Aquino said.

He said they are bewildered why only the Aquino administration’s political rivals—namely, Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Bong Revilla, Jr, and Jinggoy Estrada—are being singled out in the investigation.

They want all those included in the infamous “Napolist” to be tried in the court of law, and asked the public to join them in their plea.

“We are calling on the people to join the rally for accountability tomorrow, especially those who participated in the Million People March and those who are against the pork barrel,” said Aquino. “We have to continue to pressure the government regarding the issue.”

The group expects 10,000 people to join the protest rally. They will assemble at 3 pm at the Liwasang Bonifacio and will march to the Bonifacio Shrine before holding a torch-lit march to Mendiola, Manila.

– Rappler.com