Protesters sign people’s initiative vs. ‘pork’

(Updated 8:42 a.m.) A people's initiative to scrap the pork barrel system got off the ground Monday as Filipinos trooped to Quirino Grandstand to sign the petition.

Bikers in Manila were among the early signatories, radio dzBB reported.

 

Photos posted by radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen showed some people showing up at the booths set up near the Quirino Grandstand to sign the people's initiative.

 

At least one of the signatories was photographed wearing a pig mask to show his opposition to the pork barrel system.

6:00 am, sinimulan nang buksan ang booths para sa paglagda vs. 'pork' sa Quirino Grandstand. | via @dzbbsamnielsen pic.twitter.com/qfb8Mu7ED1

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) August 24, 2014
 
 

 

Meanwhile, a photo tweeted by militant umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. showed bikers among the signatories.

Bikers sign up early to abolish pork pic.twitter.com/VLW0wuV0PL

— Renato Reyes, Jr. (@natoreyes) August 24, 2014
 
 

 

The report said the booths opened at 6 a.m.

 

A concelebrated Mass was held for the "Stand Up, Sign Up against all pork" activity at 7 a.m.

 

A separate report on dwIZ radio said some 500 police personnel were deployed to the Luneta area.

 

Organizers hope to gather six million signatures until December for the people's initiative.

 

The people's initiative seeks to abolish the presidential and congressional pork barrel system and mandate line item budgeting.

 

It also seeks to prohibit and to criminalize appropriation and use of lump sum discretionary funds, and penalize violators with six to 10 years' imprisonment and disqualification from public office.

 

Under Republic Act 6735, the people’s initiative law, at least 10 percent of the total number of registered voters—and three percent of each legislative district is needed to push for a new law.

 

Last Saturday, a People's Congress was held in Cebu also to seek signatures for the people's initiative against the pork barrel system. —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News