Million People March 8/26/2013
Quirino Grandstand, ManilaThis is not your usual protest. The count was 400,000 people attended. Usual faces during protests, first time to attend a protest and some attended their last protest when President Estrada was ousted from Malacanang.
Some of them are the usual protesters with flags, effigies and their fists in the air.
Some are students from the grossly underfunded Public Schools and State Universities.
Some are private school students automatically paying 12% VAT on every item they buy.
Some are medical workers from Underfunded Public Hospitals.
Some are from the posh and gated villages paying business, income and real estate taxes from what they own and earn to the government.
Some are from the middle class, paying so many taxes and contribution of government services, saving a little for themselves and the families they raise.
Some are from the poor, those who badly need the care of the government.
All Filipinos from all walks of life were represented in this protest and is rallying for a single cause: the abolition of the Pork Barrel in any name or mean and the prosecution of those who misused the public funnds. This is the biggest and the strongest protest so far in the Aquino Administration and the most memorable and significant commemoration of the National Heroes Day Holiday so far, in living memory.
The real battle has began. The Executive Department already submitted the Proposed 2014 Budget with the PDAF (Pork Barrel) still in the details, and we, as taxpayers and the Filipino People must see to it that the taxes, the nation’s budget is well appropriated and well spent. The deliberations on the 2014 Budget is ongoing.
If the Rizal Statue could talk, what is his reaction on this happening in front of him?
I was just reminded of this event almost five years ago, so because of today’s news about Janet Lim Napoles being under the Witness Protection Program. Am I about to ask, was that all for nothing now?