N.B. – This is the press release distributed during the press conference this morning (August 16) at Vinzons Hall, UP Diliman. The panelists were Profs. Gerry Lanuza (CSSP), Chim Zayas (CIS), Lito Manalili (CSWCD), Monette Flores (CAL), Lanie Flores (CAL), Marion Tan (CSWCD), Sarah Raymundo (CIS), Leonor Briones (NCPAG) and National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera (CAL).
Concerned faculty members of the University of the Philippines (UP) wore their official academic costume today (August 16) to call for the abolition of the pork barrel system.
Called the UP Sablay, the sash which has the letters U and P in alibata is usually worn during the university’s commencement exercises. It symbolizes the high standards of honor and excellence in the university.
During a press conference at the Vinzons Hall in UP Diliman, concerned faculty members decided to wear the UP Sablay to deliver a simple message: The pork barrel system is “sablay.” Instead of honor and excellence, the pork barrel ends up promoting dishonor and mediocrity, according to the UP professors who attended the event.
Dr. Gerry Lanuza, a convenor of the UP Faculty for the Abolition of the Pork Barrel System and the Presidential Pork Barrel Fund, said that public funds must be used for genuine and comprehensive development for the benefit of the underprivileged.
He also encouraged like-minded groups and individuals to support House Bill No. 1535 which seeks to abolish the pork barrel system. Lanuza said that this is the most sensible legislative agenda to end the evils of pork barrel politics characterized by corruption, vote buying, patronage, waste of people’s money and rent-seeking behaviors of lawmakers.
Other UP faculty members expressed their opposition to the pork barrel in Congress and the presidential pork barrel fund. They stressed that the allocation of 1.2 billion per senator for a six-year term term and the P210 million for each member of the House of Representatives for a three-year term could be put to better use. They stressed the need for greater state subsidy to education, as well as other basic services like health.
For verification and more information, please call Dr. Gerry Lanuza (0932-845-5258) of the UP Diliman Department of Sociology.