It all started with a whistle blower. And then another. Until the issue escalated beyond control and now, the common people are really exasperated, out of patience and very annoyed with the government. The Priority Development Assistance Fund of Congress (PDAF), better known as the Pork Barrel, is now under scrutiny and hot water and the public outcry against it became worse and worse.
We all know the issue of how businesswoman Janet Napoles had a hand in every piece of the pork pie. We all know of the fake non-government organizations that Napoles allegedly used to scam almost 10 billion pesos worth of government funds. And we definitely know of government efforts to placate the burning rage of the people in this matter. President Benigno Aquino III himself said that it is time to abolish the PDAF and replace it with something else, something that according to him, will be better.
But the people won’t be appeased. When all is said and done, they went out and showed their displeasure in a peaceful manner. It is a democratic country after all, and the voice of the people cried out to be heard.
And it was heard in a manner that is nonviolent and definitely law abiding. August 26, 2013, National Heroes Day. The people marched to a rally held in Luneta. The major points are covered in the rally. Speeches and programs conducted by different groups highlighted the fact that the masses won’t be silenced, won’t be appeased, until something is done and quickly.
And going among the people, taking their pictures, shaking their hands and sharing the moment of camaraderie and pride makes this writer fulfilled as a Filipino. For we as a people have once again found something to fight for, something to be pleased about, something that we as a people lost: our sense of pride.
May that pride carry us onward to new and better things! May we never lose again the sense of vigilance as well as we go forward to fight the good fight. And above all, may the actions of the people undertaken on this fateful day never be forgotten.
2 responses to “Luneta: Million People March against Pork Barrel”
I was there in Luneta during the rally. There was so much indeed to be proud of as a Filipino. The rally was very peaceful. The place was not strewn with litter. People still managed to put up a festive atmosphere. The protest was global in terms of participation. All this despite the fact that there was no single central organizer for the 300,000 people strong event.
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. – EDMUND BURKE
Quite a lot of people, specially those in position do the things they did simply because they know the fact that only a few people will try to stop them THEN THE REST WILL JUST DO NOTHING.
..that they can GET AWAY WITH IT specially with the connections and money that they were able to keep for their own use, that that can use TIME TO LET THINGS PASS..COOL DOWN.. for other issues to take over people’s attention.. its just a cycle
..that eventually people will forget and forgive what they did then after some time they can and will do it again, but in those time they will be more careful not to get caught…
And yes sad it may seems they might right for thinking such BUT THIS TIME I really do hope that we can proved them wrong.
Please, be a GOOD MAN/WOMAN and DO SOMETHING – no matter how small nor big it could be THAN just WATCH and let these things pass you by…
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and despite that I was not there, being an OFW..I expressed my rage and sentiments online hoping my words will be added to the Millions of voices roaring/demanding for justice