One more voice for the abolition of pork barrel

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.”  (Proverbs 29:2)

The amount involved, the outrageous sense of betrayal felt by the general public and the total insensitivity of those behind the P10-billion “pork scam” is mind-boggling to the great majority of the people.  The scandal provokes sadness and anger. Sadness over the plight of the people in the hands of its leaders.  Anger at the way people’s taxes have been misused.

This political decadence brought about by the pork barrel system is not new.  It is part of the patronage politics that has plagued the electoral and political system in this country.  No less than Budget Secretary Butch Abad himself said in June 2012 that the “context of pork is ‘patronage politics’ and the logic that drives the selection of projects and the disbursement of many politicians’ pork funds, ‘pautakan lang ‘yan’ or ‘just play it smart’” (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, 7/22/13).  The previous dispensation was an example of patronage politics.

Thus, there is every reason to be upset that President Aquino, who was elected for his anticorruption platform and “daang matuwid” battle cry, is not keen on removing this scourge.  Instead, it will remain and may even be increased.  Aside from the P25 billion for Congress, about P317.5 billion has been allotted for special purpose funds and P117.5 billion for unprogrammed funds in the proposed General Appropriation Act of 2013, the  PCIJ reported. It said “disbursement record on these funds have hardly been published online or disclosed to the citizens, despite repeated requests.” The disbursements are to be made by the Office of the President.

There is neither justification for the misuse of public funds by leaders while the majority of the people wallow in want and lie vulnerable directly in the path of disasters; nor is there any moral ground that can justify the failure of our leaders to hold themselves accountable before the people.

The National Council of Churches in the Philippines joins the groundswell of sentiment against the pork barrel system and the growing public clamor for its abolition. Let the funds be channeled to education, health, housing and other social services.  Let us be vigilant that the calls for investigation will not be muddled by patronage politics.  Let us remain focused on the issue of corruption in high places, distracted as we are often by other issues.

To our leaders take heed when you become dealers of the posterity and patrimony of this country:  “When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases; but the righteous will look upon their downfall” (Proverbs 29:16).  Take heed that callous insensitivity and betrayal of the public trust have led many of our people from imploring arms to defiant clenched fists.  The downfall of the foolish is swift.

—REV. REX RB REYES JR., general secretary,

THE MOST REV. EPHRAIM S. FAJUTAGANA,

Obispo Maximo XII, Iglesia Filipina Independiente and

chair, National Council of Churches in the Philippines