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Anti-graft rally in Philippines
Social media fuels massive protest
TENS of thousands of protesters gathered in the Philippine capital yesterday to voice outrage at corrupt politicians, in a modern-day "People Power" rally fuelled by social media.
The march, emulated on smaller scale in other cities around the country, was the largest anti-graft demonstration since President Benigno Aquino was elected in 2010 on an anti-corruption platform.
The protesters ranged from members of the clergy and students to businessmen, middle-class families, lawyers and other professionals. It was a sign of the breadth of anger over graft in the impoverished nation.
But while few called for the ousting of Mr Aquino, whose personal ratings remain high, there was widespread fury with politicians.
"We are all angry at all the stealing of the politicians. We telling them that time is up," said 80-year-old retired university professor Teodoro Jurado.
Organisers said the rally drew up to 400,000 people while the police estimate was a maximum of 100,000.
Calls for the protest began circulating on Facebook and Twitter about two weeks ago after a series of newspaper articles about a major scam involving legislators' Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).
The fund is money allocated for lawmakers to be used in their pet development projects. Critics charge these are "pork barrel" projects which have traditionally been a source of corruption.
Mr Aquino had planned to expand the PDAF in his 2014 budget so that each senator would receive 200 million pesos while each member of the House of Representatives would get 70 million pesos.
But in the face of growing anger, the president announced that he was suspending the releases of money and vowed to reform the system.
At a speech marking the country's national heroes' day, Mr Aquino said the government would catch those who stole state funds. - AFP.
Social media fuels massive protest
TENS of thousands of protesters gathered in the Philippine capital yesterday to voice outrage at corrupt politicians, in a modern-day "People Power" rally fuelled by social media.
The march, emulated on smaller scale in other cities around the country, was the largest anti-graft demonstration since President Benigno Aquino was elected in 2010 on an anti-corruption platform.
The protesters ranged from members of the clergy and students to businessmen, middle-class families, lawyers and other professionals. It was a sign of the breadth of anger over graft in the impoverished nation.
But while few called for the ousting of Mr Aquino, whose personal ratings remain high, there was widespread fury with politicians.
"We are all angry at all the stealing of the politicians. We telling them that time is up," said 80-year-old retired university professor Teodoro Jurado.
Organisers said the rally drew up to 400,000 people while the police estimate was a maximum of 100,000.
Calls for the protest began circulating on Facebook and Twitter about two weeks ago after a series of newspaper articles about a major scam involving legislators' Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).
The fund is money allocated for lawmakers to be used in their pet development projects. Critics charge these are "pork barrel" projects which have traditionally been a source of corruption.
Mr Aquino had planned to expand the PDAF in his 2014 budget so that each senator would receive 200 million pesos while each member of the House of Representatives would get 70 million pesos.
But in the face of growing anger, the president announced that he was suspending the releases of money and vowed to reform the system.
At a speech marking the country's national heroes' day, Mr Aquino said the government would catch those who stole state funds. - AFP.
