ANTI - PORK BARREL PROTEST (Manila - Philippines)

The pork barrel system in the Philippines refers to the funds allocated to the Philippine House of Representatives and Philippine Senate.  It is left to the legislator’s discretion to how the funds are spent without going through the normal budgetary process or through the Executive Branch. 

It has had different names over the years and currently called the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).  It is seen as the biggest source of corruption among the legislators as the process of spending became syndicated using pre-identified project implementers including government agencies, contractors and bogus non-profit corporations.  Legislators allegedly receive kickbacks in the process.  

In 2013, the Commission of Audit released a special report on the lawmakers’ alleged misuse of the PDAF which also point against businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles for allegedly setting up dummy organizations and ghosts projects where congressional pork is spent.

This report heightened the call for government to scrap the funds which prompted the organization of the “Million People March” at Luneta Park on August 26, 2013. It was participated by several groups and individuals from all walks of life.

It was followed subsequently by other major protest such as the one organized on October 4, 2013 at Ayala Avenue at the central business district of Makati City.

The images shown were taken from the anti-pork barrel protests mentioned.