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A photo circulating on social media draws a sharp contrast between the detention cells for pork barrel scam suspects and houses for the survivors of the strongest typhoon to hit land
MANILA, Philippines – The special detention centers awaiting the high-profile suspects in the pork barrel fund diversion scandal may be worlds away from their posh mansions, but one group said these are still better than the bunkhouses for survivors of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
The Tindog People’s Network, a group of supporters and survivors of Haiyan, criticized the glaring difference between the Camp Crame cells and the temporary shelters put up by the government in the aftermath of the disaster that ravaged central Philippines in November 2013.
The group accused the Aquino administration of “coddling officials accused of corruption” in the illegal diversion of public money, while “neglecting the welfare of the Yolanda survivors.”
The statements came following the arrest of Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla on Friday, June 20.
Revilla is one of the 54 accused of pocketing development funds by channeling them through fake non-profit organizations set up by alleged scam operator Janet Lim-Napoles.
Revilla, Napoles, and several others – including Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada – face plunder and graft charges over the scam.
Tindog People’s Network spokesperson Mark Louie Aquino said the new detention cells are not only more spacious than the bunkhouses for typhoon survivors, but they boast of more comfortable amenities too.
The complex intended for the pork barrel scam suspects is composed of 4 spacious rooms and a multipurpose area.
Three of the rooms contain single beds, small side tables, private bathrooms, and a sink. The fourth room has two bunk beds inside.
All mattresses are brand new. Each room also has its own ceiling fan and a window secured by metal grills.
Just a few hours after entering jail, Revilla complained of migraine due to the heat.
His wife, Cavite 2nd district Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla, has requested for an air cooler in the detention cell.
On Saturday, June 21, dzBB reported the senator complained that his cell is infested by cockroaches and rats.
Each room measures 32 square meters, comparable to studio- to one-bedroom-type apartments.
In contrast, the Yolanda bunkhouses were originally designed at 8.64 square meters each. The area was later revised to 17.28 square meters per unit, following reports the cramped houses turned out to have failed international standards for typhoon victims’ shelters.
Tindog People’s Network released an infographic that compared the space and amenities of the detention centers and the Yolanda bunkhouses.
Unlike the Crame cells, no furniture is provided in the bunkhouses. Each bunkhouse has 12 units, with 4 toilet and bath units.
The group said it is “angered” by the special treatment accorded to those indicted over the multi-million peso corruption scandal.
It said the “clear and wide gap of discrepancies” between the detention cells and the bunkhouses betray the administration’s priorities.
“By the looks of the comparative data, we are angered by the special accommodation being given to pork barrel accused while giving less to the poor victims of Yolanda,” the group added. – Rappler.com
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