The alleged abolition of the pork barrel is merely a change of name
Joint Statement of Centerlaw and Concerned Citizens Movement on the alleged abolition of the pork barrel; It is merely a change of name
The President’s announcement of the alleged abolition of the PDAF or the pork barrel is proof that no government can ignore public opinion.
Nonetheless, Centerlaw and Concerned Citizens Movement express concern that what the President may have announced is only a change of name. PDAF used to be known as the CDF or the Countryside Development Fund. It was named PDAF after investigative journalists exposed the CDF as pork barrel. It may be that this alleged abolition of PDAF is yet to be another renaming.
To completely do away with pork barrel, what is required is to abolish all lump sum appropriations. Under the scheme announced by the President, legislators will continue to identify project. This may mean that legislator’s discretion on project identification and implementation may remain.
Moreover, all forms of pork barrel must be abolished. Specifically, the Malampaya fund must be spent pursuant to the Local Government Code. This means putting an end to presidential discretion on spending this multi-billion fund. Likewise, the judiciary must once and for all also be transparent on its spending of the judiciary development fund. It must also make public and do away with the discretionary fund of all justices.
The President’s announcement today is proof that public anger cannot be ignored. We must not be deceived, the pork barrel will continue despite this latest presidential pronouncement. WE STILL NEED TO OCCUPY LUNETA ON MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013, STARTING 9:00AM.
Here are details on how to join August 26 Protest.
About The Author
Noemi Lardizabal-Dado
Noemi Lardizabal-Dado is a Content Strategist with over 16 years experience in blogging, content management, citizen advocacy and media literacy and over 26 years in web development. Otherwise known as @MomBlogger on social media, she believes in making a difference in the lives of her children by advocating social change for social good. She is a co-founder and a member of the editorial board of Blog Watch . She is a resource speaker on media literacy, social media , blogging, digital citizenship, good governance, transparency, parenting, women’s rights and wellness, and cyber safety. Her personal blogs such as aboutmyrecovery.com (parenting) , pinoyfoodblog.com (recipes), techiegadgets.com (gadgets) and benguetarabica.coffee keep her busy outside of Blog Watch. Disclosure: I am an advocate. I am NOT neutral. I will NOT give social media mileage to members of political clans, epal, a previous candidate for the same position and those I believe are a waste of taxpayers' money. I do not support or belong to any political party. I was part of accredited media covering the Office of the Vice President and Leni Robredo as she ran as a presidential aspirant in the 2022 National and local elections. On August 5, 2021, YouTube announced that I was selected as one of 50 Program participants of its Creator Program for Independent Journalists She was a Senior Consultant for ALL media engagements for the PCOO-led Committee on Media Affairs & Strategic Communications (CMASC) under the ASEAN 2017 National Organizing Council from January 4 -July 5, 2017. Having been an ASEAN advocate since 2011, she has written extensively about the benefits of the ASEAN community and as a region of opportunities on Blog Watch and aboutmyrecovery.com. Organization affiliation includes Consortium on Democracy and Disinformation Updated June 6, 2022