Youth group joins mass movement vs pork

Last Aug. 25, the Kalipunan ng Kristiyanong Kabataan sa Pilipinas, the largest ecumenical movement of national Christian youth organizations of mainline Protestant and non-Roman Catholic churches, joined the Filipino people in a common quest for good governance and the efforts to advance the people’s initiative to abolish all forms of discretionary lump-sum funds.

The pork barrel, Congress’ and the President’s, breeds corruption and patronage politics, and drives people further into poverty. The concentration of public funds in the hands of the ruling elite deprives the youth and the people of social services—education, housing, employment, among others.

We envision a country that nurtures and raises young people to be better persons. Yet ours today is a country that is tainted with corruption and systemic deprivation of a life abundant for the people. We fear that this unjust condition will continue until and unless good governance is exercised by our leaders.

Recognizing that the true power to make changes emanates from the people, we support the people’s initiative and call for the immediate abolition of the pork barrel system. The use of lump-sum funds must be criminalized and penalized.

We also abhor President Aquino’s blatant disrespect for the Constitution as shown by his pronouncement that a Charter change might yet happen, extending his term. The ecumenical youth see this, with much disgust, as another way to escape from any legal consequences that he and other public officials might face when he steps down from office. If this is not dictatorship, what is it then?

Propelled by our faithful commitment to work for peace and justice and by our consistent bias for the struggling masses and vulnerable sectors, we, the ecumenical youth, raise our collective voice to expose and oppose any form of evil deed. We shall persevere to work for a society that cares and serves the people, rather than the self-interest and greediness of the few that deeply hurt the people.

We also enjoin the faithful and the rest of the Filipino people: More than ever, God is now calling us to be with the people in their struggle. With just these initiatives, our fight against corruption might not end, but they would help us take a bigger step forward in dismantling a decrepit system that maintains the status quo. This is the time for us to be vigilant and take action. With active prayer for and the unwavering support of the masses, we shall go in obedience to God’s call.

—BENNY F. MENDOZA, national chair,
JIMARIE SNAP T. MABANTA, general secretary,  Kalipunan ng Kristiyanong
Kabataan sa Pilipinas