Group calls on lawmakers to reject P161-billion pork barrel for Aquino By Charlie V. Manalo 08/21/2011

Group calls on lawmakers to reject P161-billion pork barrel for Aquino

By Charlie V. Manalo 08/21/2011
A militant fisherfolk group yesterday appealed to lawmakers in both Houses of Congress to shoot down the proposed P161.6-billion pork barrel for President Aquino for next year.

In a statement, the left-leaning fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) asked congressmen and senators of cross party lines to reject the P161 billion pork barrel asked by Malacañang for Aquino under the unprogrammed items of the 2012 budget submitted by the Palace to Congress.

“President Aquino is asking Congress to give him P161 billion in total pork barrel funds for 2012. The character of this pork barrel is free from audit and scrutiny of the taxpaying public. Where is transparency here?” said Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya national chairman.

Hicap said the provision for presidential pork barrel which is free from audit and review of the Commission on Audit (CoA) promotes high crime of corruption because it gives President Aquino dictatorial powers on how to spend P161 billion of unprogrammed funds..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110821nat1.html