People take part in protest against the government's pork barrel system (photo by Vincent Go)
At least 73 Catholic bishops have signed a petition calling for support of a constitutional amendment to ban government 'pork barrel' schemes.
The bishops’ signatures were collected during the prelates' plenary assembly in Manila last month, according to a source who asked not to be named.
Last month, Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu sought the prelates’ support for a 'people’s initiative' that would lead to the passage of a law outlawing the pork barrel system, and 'criminalize' the improper use of discretionary funds by legislators.
A people’s initiative is one of three modes provided by the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines for constitutional amendment. At least 5.4 million signatures, or 10 percent of the voting population, are required to pressure Congress to pass a law.
Among those who signed the petition were Bishops Jose Oliveros of Malolos, Dinualdo Gutierrez of Marbel, Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao, Carlito Cenzon of Baguio, Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon and Archbishop Angel Lagdameo of Jaro.
"I hope something good will come out from this proposal. Any system is good when people follow, and any system can be subject to abuse also," Palma told ucanews.com.
He said that recent protests against corruption also showed that the Filipino people had grown "more mature" regarding the way they view – and participate in – politics and governance.
A signature gathering campaign targeting the pork barrel system is also to be launched by a civil society group in Cebu City on Saturday.
The results of a state audit released last year sparked a national outcry when it revealed that 6 billion pesos (about US$137 million) in pork barrel money was allegedly misused between 2007 and 2009.
The audit identified at least 12 senators and 180 congressmen and congresswomen whose fund allocations were channeled to dubious NGOs.