Should senators give up their pork barrel funds?
By asteriskec
@asteriskec (1074)
Philippines
April 18, 2007 8:25am CST
A few days ago, during re-electionist Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, he said that he will continue advocating against the pork barrel system. He said that the senators were elected to make laws and not to make roads, buildings and bridges. Sen. Lacson also said that he has so far given up his share of P1.1 Billion in pork barrel funds and this was his way of helping reduce the budget deficit. Every senator is entitled to P200 Million a year in pork barrel funds. Do you think the senators who will win in this year's elections should also do the same?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@shobejen (644)
• Philippines
18 Apr 07
i have high regards and respect for senators or congressmen who gave up their pork barrel funds or even just take a small part of it... these funds are huge and giving it to the government to spend it in other useful services or help reduce budget deficit would be something... also, some politicians use their pork barrels in corruptions, just imagine if a senator used half of his funds in his projects and the other half went straight to his pockets...
2 people like this
@god_spear (498)
• Philippines
19 Apr 07
Yes, even congressmen/women should give up thier pork, maybe they can leave it to the proper authorities the Publci works who build bridges adn buildings and one thing they can do if these agencies abuse it, make a law that will punish these people and make sure they will suffer in jail. When government employees asking for an increase, teachers and other personnel of government, the proper authority told that the were no budget, why dont they (senators/congressmen) give a portion of it, so that the lives of these government employees improved.That will be the good things they will do, put that pork in a very meaningful endeavor adn not for thier own good.
1 person likes this
@jojogirl (289)
• Philippines
27 Apr 07
i used to think that those senators who refuse to take their pork barrels are worth emulating. my view however changed when i watched an interview with miriam defensor santiago the other night, the correspondents, if i'm not mistaken. she said that senators like ping lacson who refuse to take their pork barrels are in no way helping reduce the national budget. according to santiago, the pork barrel which they do not want to take just go back to the president's budget. and only god knows what happens to that pork barrel after it goes to the president's purse.
IMHO, ping should just take his pork barrel. that way, he will be able to contribute more to his HOPE (health, order, progress and education). 200million every year will be of great help to the Filipino people. you see, i trust him more than the president.
