Solons: PDAF not bad
but safeguards needed
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negros Occidental congressmen yesterday said they respect the planned protest against the misuse of the pork barrel funds by some lawmakers, and agree that safeguards must be enforced to protect public funds.

But Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4th District) and Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District) also expressed concern that abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund, or pork barrel, would jeopardize projects in their districts.

Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said the PDAF is a lump sum item at the discretion of a congressman, who decide where to put it and who implements it.

Campaign vs. pork in
cyberspace, too
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negrenses have brought their campaign for the abolition of the pork barrel fund to cyberspace.

“Tipon Negrosanon - Pork Barrel Untaton” is now on Facebook, and describes itself as “a convergence of concerned Negrenses to call for the abolition of PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund), commonly known as Pork Barrel which has become the milking cow of crocodiles.”

“Don't chicken out. Come and join us,” it says.

The Negrosanons Kontra Korapsyon are staging a “Tipon Tipon sa Lagoon” in front of the provincial Capitol building in Bacolod City at 9 a.m. Monday, to air their outrage over the misuse of the pork barrel funds by some of the country’s lawmakers.

‘Rekindle spark of heroism’
BY ADRIAN NEMES III

Yellow balloons were released and yellow candles were lighted in front of the statue of the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. at Araneta Street in Bacolod City to mark the 30th year of his death yesterday.

Andres Hagad, chairman emeritus of Liberal Party, said the yellow balloons symbolize unity while the lighted candles mean the need to rekindle the spark of heroism that the late Senator had started.

“The youth of today, who were not able to come to know him (Aquino) should know that he is a hero of the same caliber as Dr. Jose Rizal, because he also gave up his life for the Philippines”, Hagad said.