Thousands gathered at the Rizal Park, Manila on August 26, Monday, in time for National Heroes Holiday, for a protest against corruption and a call to scrap the pork barrel.
The so-called “Million People March” started via social media invitation for Filipinos to show a strong disapproval over the corruption scandal involving a number of lawmakers.
More than 100,000 turned out to come in the rally, including students, workers, priest, nuns, celebrities among many others.
Similar protests were held in various parts of the country with one outcry, to abolish the pork barrel, and the freedom from corrupt officials in the government.
The pork barrel or the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) is money allocated for lawmakers to be used in their pet development projects.
It became a nationwide controversy when businesswoman, Janet Lim-Napoles’ name came out and became the focus of the scandal. Allegedly, she collaborated with lawmakers in channeling some of the funds amounting to 10 billion pesos ($230 million), which have been diverted to nonexistent government organizations. She has gone into hiding after being charged with the illegal detention of a whistleblower.
This, and after the public knew of her lavish lifestyle, having numerous properties in the country and abroad, and luxury cars, it angered the people and prompted for the gathering.
Rains and muddy grounds failed to deter the protesters where it peaked at around ten in the morning, while some groups started to leave at 2 p.m. leaving the Luneta park grounds clean, taking their trash with them as they go.
