Facebook protest sparks call for major Philippine rally

MANILA - Anger in social media at the misuse of Philippine state funds has snowballed into calls for a rally expected to attract thousands, an organiser said Sunday.

Calls for a "million people march" scheduled for Monday began circulating on Facebook and Twitter about two weeks ago after local press reports of a scam involving the Priority Development Assistance Fund.

The fund is money allocated for lawmakers to be used in development projects. Critics see it as funding "pork barrel" projects which have traditionally been a source of corruption.

At the centre of the controversy is a woman who allegedly connived with legislators to siphon off some 10 billion pesos (233 million dollars) from the fund.

"We demand transparency and accountability," the organisers said in their online invitation on Facebook. "Abolish pork barrel."

One of the organisers, Peachy Rallonza-Bretana, said the idea for the march originally circulated among her circle of friends but quickly caught on.

"There really is no group organising this," she told the Philippine Daily Inquirer, adding it was "snowballing at great speed".

As of Sunday afternoon, nearly 18,000 people had said they would join marches culminating in what the organisers said would be a peaceful "picnic get together" in Luneta Park in central Manila.

Activists in other cities have said they would hold simultaneous marches in support of the Manila protest.

Various religious, professional, business and leftist organisations have also signified interest in joining the protest.

"We are aghast, disgusted and enraged at such a wanton display of shamelessness by those who we elected to serve and protect the people," read a manifesto of support signed by some alumni of the elite Philippine Military Academy who are no longer on active duty.

"We cannot and we will not tolerate this any more even those from among our own," it said.

sourcw: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'Old dog' Bamboo unaffected by critics

MANILA - Rock singer Bamboo Mañalac is unaffected by those who criticize the way he chooses contestants in the reality singing competition "The Voice of the Philippines."

Mañalac, who is one of the four coaches on the show, recently drew flak online for choosing Makati-based singer Lee Grane over Marikina-born band vocalist Dan Billiano; and acoustic singer Paolo Onesa over the father-and-son duo Mark and Willy Cordovales during the battle rounds.

In an interview on ANC's "Headstart" on Friday, he reiterated that he is "a coach first before a judge."

"The choice between Willy and Paolo, again, I'm looking for the voice, someone... with a versatile voice who I can sort of train. I think it's easier to teach than to correct, that's my thing," Mañalac explained.

"I just thought he did a great job," he added, referring to Paolo. "I think the boys, they performed better but I think the tone, the richness of the voice, the honey, the glint in the eye, I think Paolo had that."

"That's what I love about the show, everyone got to express [his or her] opinion. Social media is part of the show. It's awesome that they get to express their opinion."

Mañalac said he "did not even flinch" upon reading the negative comments about him on social media.

The rock singer went on to call himself "an old dog."

"I'm an old dog. I've been around [for quite some time] so I'm pretty solid, I have a foundation of who I am and what I am doing, and my work speaks for itself," he said.

What would disturb him, however, is the idea of his team members in "The Voice of the Philippines" get "attacked."

"I only get bothered when they start attacking kids on my team. Because they are kids, they are not ready with this yet," he said. You know what I mean. They are not ready for reality TV. So that bothers me, when they are attacked. That's when I feel I have to say something."

Mañalac said his stint at "The Voice of the Philippines" is a good learning experience for him as an artist.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com