LOS ANGELES - Forty-one years ago, martial law was implemented in the Philippines. The human rights violations eventually sparked a revolution.
But while it had since been abolished, Filipinos are still fighting to end corruption, holding a vigil to call for an end to the pork barrel system.
While the numbers have dwindled since the last anti-pork protest, even non-Filipinos are joining the fight against corruption.
"This issue itself very much relates to issues we face here in the United States -- the example of public funds money that should be going to the people, being stolen and summed up to these very corrupt politicians," Mike Prysner of the Answer Coalition said.
Last week, 38 people including 3 senators were charged with plunder, the misuse of public funds.
Activists are expecting more lawmakers to also face raps.
"We are making progress because the plunder charges has been filed. But we are following (the issue) and our demand is still President Aquino should finish this job within 100 days because if not it will just be like Maguindanao massacre case," said Arturo Garcia
US Action Against Pork Barrel
In the meantime, Fil-Am activists commemorated martial law with recently returned missionaries.
They said they got a first hand look at the effects of the pork barrel scam, as they visited impoverished communities in Mindanao.
"It was obvious when the money was not getting to the people who need it especially the indigenous tribes," Pastor Frank Wulf of Panaghiusa said.
"To know that if the funding was going to social services to the people instead of to these scams being wasted through the pork barrel, they would have what they need," Theresa Jaranilla of Bayan USA said.
The annual Panaghiusa International Solidarity Mission brought over 30 people from around the world to the Philippines, focusing on educational, livelihood and medical needs.
Basic necessities that they believe the government should be funding.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
