Youth groups: scrap pork barrel

Youth groups urge lawmakers to scrap the pork barrel system to “ultimately destroy the root of many sources of corruption in the country.” In a statement Thursday, the Freedom of Information Youth Initiative says recent reports on the alleged misuse of the pork barrel shows a “clearer picture of how public trust is betrayed” by government officials. The youth group says the pork barrel is meant to be used as “development assistance” to constituents of Congress, but it has not been used for this purpose. The group adds the pork barrel scam shows the need for the passage of the Freedom of Information bill, which will enhance accountability and transparency in government. The national network of 129 youth organizations also calls on the justice department, the Ombudsman, and the Commission on Audit to initiate charges against those who misused the pork barrel.

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