By Gideon C. Corgue
Thus declared Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace (IFSP) convener Sultan Abdulmaguid Maruhom on Wednesday during a march and prayer rally held here Wednesday calling for the total abolition of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel of the lawmakers.
More than 500 people composed of religious, professional and civic organizations, academe, and other participated in the rally with placards that read: “No to pork barrel.”
Maruhom said the protesters are responsible citizens of our country who manifests their sense of responsibility and commitment in their fight against corruption.
“I am delighted to see you here joining us in our call for the total abolition of the pork barrel of our lawmakers,” Maruhom announced.
Maruhom said “we gathered here not that we are against the government but we are here to express our support to the clamor to end corruption, and we want to reform the government.”
He also explained that “the interfaith prayer rally is in support to the ‘Edsa Tayo’ rally organized by the social media calling for the complete abolition of the graft-tainted PDAF.”
The activity was also aimed at calling for the abolition of pork barrel system, prosecution of those who are involved in the pork barrel scam, and no to privatization of the Agus-Pulangi hydropower generation complexes.
Wilfredo Mondedo, junior student of St. Columban College here said “we actively join this rally to fully express our sentiments over the misuse of public funds by our legislators” adding “we want the pork barrel to stop since it is the source of greed and corruption.”
The mass actions organized by the IFSP proved that the public has been aware of the alleged irregularities in the government.
The IFSP convener thanked the people for actively participating in the nationwide pork barrel protests. (PIA9)