THOMASIANS once again joined the cry for government reform as they joined the launch of the People’s Initiative against all forms of pork barrel including the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).
The campaign, which coincided with the celebration of National Heroes’ Day, was coined as “Stand Up! Sign Up against all forms of pork!” and was endorsed by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and the Catholic Educators Association of the Philippines.
Organized by the #abolishporkmovement and the Scrap Pork Network, the campaign marked the first anniversary of the Million People March which was participated by Thomasians as well.
Among the estimated 5,000 participants who marched from Taft Avenue to Luneta last August 25 were concerned Thomasians, spearheaded by the Central Student Council (CSC) and Office of Student Affairs (OSA).
According to CSC President Ina Vergara, the march is an indication of the disappointment of the Thomasian community regarding the issues of pork barrel, DAP and corruption in the country.
“As [Thomasians], we fight for Veritas, we fight for truth. We fight for financial stability and transparency in the government,” Vergara said.
Assistant to the Rector for Student Affairs Evelyn Songco, said the University is in full support of advocacies that promote national development.
"It’s important that the students register their sentiments regarding issues like the pork barrel," Songco said, who was also present during the protest along with other officers of the OSA.
Alexander Cairo, a Legal Management sophomore, was one of those who participated in the protest.
“Sumali ako kasi gusto ko ipakita na kahit estudyante ay may pakialam sa ganitong mga isyu,” he said.
In an interview with the Varsitarian, Most Rev. Broderick Pabillo, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila and Chairman of the Committee on Public Affairs of the Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said that the CBCP not only supports UST in its participation against corruption, but even encourages students to be involved.
“Hindi lang kami in favor [sa participation sa mga protests], ine-encourage pa namin ang mga estudyante na maging involved sa mga ganitong issues kasi may kinalalaman ito sa mga buhay nila. Dito rin nila pinapakita ang kanilang maturity, they are involved for the good of the society,” said Pabillo.
Pabillo added, “It [student involvement] doesn't affect UST's position as a Pontifical University. Bahagi ng ating Catholic teachings ay ang preaching of the church and part of [that] is to encourage citizens to be participative sa nangyayari sa lipunan, In fact it would really show na ang education sa UST ay may impact sa kanila [students].”
Also present during the protest were students from the Faculty of Civil Law, Arts and Letters, UST Theological Society, UST Yellow Jackets, youth movements such as the League of Filipino Students and Youth Act Now, along with national organizations such as Anakbayan, Anakpawis, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Bayan Muna, Gabriela and Kabataan.
Last year, the Supreme Court (SC) declared the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel as unconstitutional. In a decision last July 1, the SC also declared the DAP as partially-unconstitutional.
The sign-up drive for the People's Initiative Movement aims to collect a total of six million signatures to legislate a law abolishing all forms of pork.
Around 6,000 signatures were collected on that day, with the expectation of gathering sufficient signatures before the end of the year.
According to the Philippine Constitution, a People’s Initiative is a mechanism that allows Filipinos to directly propose laws through a petition signed by at least 10 percent of the total registered voters, of which every legislative district is represented by at least three percent of the registered voters thereof.
The Commission on Elections is tasked to evaluate the People’s Initiative if it gathers enough signatures for a referendum.
Students from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, San Beda College and St. Scholastica’s College-Manila were also in attendance. Dayanara T. Cudal and Arianne F. Merez
