PNoy abolishing ‘pork'
but Negros rally still on
BY CARLA GOMEZ

President Benigno Aquino III yesterday it's time to abolish the controversial “pork barrel” fund, but a group outraged by its misuse by some lawmakers said they are not calling off their rally in front of the provincial Capitol building in Bacolod City Monday.

“Despite the reforms we have implemented, we have seen, as the events of the past weeks have shown, that greater change is necessary to fight against those who are determined to abuse the system. It is time to abolish the PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund),” the President said in a televised press conference.

A new mechanism to address the needs of the people in a manner that is transparent, methodical and rational, and not susceptible to abuse or corruption, will be put in place, the President said.

Solons support
president's move
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) and Rep. Maria Leonor Gerona-Robredo (Camarines Sur, 3rd District) yesterday said they support the President's scrapping of the pork barrel funds, while Bacolod Rep. Evelio Leonardia said “Let us heed the will of the people”.

Leonardia said he was batting only for strict corrective measures because he believes the Priority Development Assistance Fund is not bad per se, “it is only the abuse that makes it wrong,” he said.

Its abolition could mean an outright P70 million loss for Bacolod, he said.

Slay victims' kin seek
help of Robredo
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

The families of the victims of extra-judicial killings in Escalante City sought the advice of Rep. Leni Robredo (Camarines Sur, 3 rd District) in Bacolod City yesterday concerning the murder and frustrated murder cases they filed against Mayor Melecio Yap and other respondents.

Robredo, wife of the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, was at the University of St La Salle in Bacolod City yesterday for a forum titled “Remembering Jesse”, to commemorate his first death anniversary on August 18.

The solon was met by Joy Pabon, Arcel and Teresita Damalerio, whose son and brothers were among the victims in the spate of killings in Escalante, to thank her for the help extended them by her late husband.