UP professors to present `UP list’ on pork barrel system

MEDIA ADVISORY
June 6, 2014

UP professors to present “UP list” on pork barrel system

porkpanes“Those involved must be held accountable. The best option for the embattled government officials would be to resign.”

Concerned faculty members of the University of the Philippines (UP) will hold a press conference on June 9 (Monday), 10:00 a.m. at the lobby of Vinzons Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City to present its opposition to the continued existence of presidential and congressional pork barrel system.

It may be recalled that on August 16, 2013, selected UP faculty members wore the Sablay (official academic costume) to call for the abolition of the pork barrel system. At that time, UP professors who attended the event stressed that instead of honor and excellence, the pork barrel ends up promoting dishonor and mediocrity.

The group called the UP Faculty Against Pork (UP FacPork) will present its own “UP list” of those involved in the pork barrel scam. On top of its list is President Benigno Aquino III who is said to be directly involved in muddling the issue and in covering up the transgressions of selected officials like Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala.

To fulfill UP’s role as social critic, concerned UP professors will explain this list or timeline of what the government has done and not done since the pork barrel scam became publicly known. They will also explain the growing people’s movement and collective disenchantment as a result of the government’s lack of political will to initiate meaningful structural reforms.

“It has been almost a year since we voiced our opposition to the pork barrel system. At this point, we repeat our call and express our anger toward a government that continues to ignore the people’s just demands,” the group said.

UP FacPork will also announce on June 9 the activities leading to the JUne 12 mobilization not only against the pork barrel system but also for national sovereignty, particularly the issue of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Media coverage is requested.

Photo opportunities are available.

  1. “Pork Panes.” Photo of President Aquino depicted as “panis na pork” to symbolize the rotteness of the issue in particular and the system in general.
  2. Presentation of “UP List” or timeline of “what they did” and “what we did.”
  3. Selected UP professors doing the “Twerk Dance” against pork barrel.

For verification and more details, please call Prof. Danilo Arao at (0908) 866-2726.

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