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“Apart from being used as a tool to control Congress, the DAP may prove to even be illegal and unconstitutional.”– Kabataan Party Rep. Terry Ridon
“The fact that as early as 2007, the transactions of the bogus NGOs have already started should have been enough reason not to continue with their accreditation. But, the DA did not lift a finger to delist and file criminal cases against the said NGOs. As such, it could be reasonably concluded that the respondents-officials of the DA have conspired and benefited from the scam.”
It has been a long way since from the culture of the Katipunan to the present pork barrel system in the Philippines, a legacy of colonial US to the country to make its political protégées follow its bidding.
Read also Second Part: Participative democracy: substitute to the pork barrel system
“Don’t our officials feel betrayed? We are being bullied by China, we go to the US for help. In return, they sold us junk materials at a very high price, only to find out that US is also talking to China about possible mutual defense arrangements.” – Bayan Muna Rep.
"Where are the funds for the poor?” – Kadamay
Asked for an official definition of “neutralization,” DND officials, citing another joint DND-DILG memorandum, said that it is “any counteraction intended to render any subject ineffective or inoperative using reasonable force such as physical restraint and similar acts.” DND said that the term “render ineffective” might include killing if it is “reasonable.”
“The Aquino government fails to grasp the historical roots of the Bangsamoro struggle.” – Dean Julkipli M. Wadi, Institute of Islamic Studies, University of the Philippines
Lawyers for former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo filed several petitions to suspend the proceedings and dismiss the class suit, but all were denied.
“We have been told that an increase in the pay of government employees is not possible because of lack of budget. But given the pork barrel scam that implicated many legislators, that may be hard to believe now.” – Courage
“The recent confirmation of Brig. Gen. Año to star rank reminds us of the promotion of Gen. Palparan and many others who had faced serious and credible charges of rights violations,” – National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
“This move by the SSS leadership is not motivated by a concern for members of the SSS who are suffering from meager wages and contractual employment.” – KMU
Labor leader Benjamin Villeno notified his colleague at Pamatink-KMU Hermie Marasigan, through text messages, that he was being tailed by suspected state agents. Villeno even told Marasigan he would try to lose his tail before going home. He never got home and his colleagues at Pamantik-KMU never heard from him since.
“When I learned about the pork barrel scam, I was very angry. That money should have been spent for the welfare of Filipinos. My father was forced to leave us so he could provide for our needs. But our family ended up torn apart.” – Rolando Ypil Jr., son of an OFW
"The reason why we are protesting today is because all succeeding regimes after Marcos failed to stamp out bureaucrat plunder and government abuse. The pork barrel scam reminds us how little has changed from the time of the dictator. Clearly, the system is the problem.” – Dr. Carol Pagaduan-Araullo, Bayan
“Someone has to be held accountable for this humanitarian crisis, where thousands are made to suffer and children are getting sick in evacuation centers.” – Neil Murad, Suara Bangsamoro
“We were practically arrested by the Cojuangco-Aquino family to hide the anomalous and violent implementation of a flawed land distribution scheme.” – Ericsson Acosta, poet, ex-detainee, and part of the fact-finding team
'The impacts of magnetite mining operations in Cagayan Province are an indictment on the country’s flawed mining policies.'
“There were lots of posts circulating in Facebook. Why just one day? They said it would be better if we do it for a week or a month.” – Migrante International
“We will be bearers of good news by denouncing the systems and structures that breed and perpetuate corruption adding up to the misery and desecration to human life and dignity of the majority poor. We shall be bearers of good news as we take active stand for truth, transparency, accountability and genuine change.” – Kalipunan ng Kristiyanong Kabataan sa Pilipinas
"Public funds are meant for everybody and not just for the few. There is a problem when only a few has control and discretion over a huge lump sum of public funds, and that's why that system has to be junked." – 10-year-old Jasmine Flores, most applauded speaker at Friday protest in Luneta
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