“Any big effort would not succeed if we would not do things as small as affixing our signatures. All big things have small beginnings.”- Bong Almonte, signatory to the People’s Initiative Against Pork
Majority of the 60 members of the committee are members of the ruling Liberal Party of President Aquino, contributing to the tense atmosphere during the hearing especially at the voting on the first two impeachment complaints.
“The arrest and detention of Hernan Certeza is a clear manifestation that there is no genuine freedom in the country and, heroes who fight for it are silenced and detained.” — Vince Casilihan of Karapatan – Bicol
“The billions in people’s funds that will be freed up by the abolition of the corrupt pork barrel system should be rechanneled towards environmental protection, social services, and disaster and climate resiliency.” – ENAP Corruption!
“It is important that we make a stand on issues in our society because in the future, we too, will be confronted with the same problems plaguing our society. If we take a stand now, we not only fight for our right, but also for the future of the children.” – Alain Villegas, DLSU student
“Congress will not enact the needed law abolishing pork, so it is up to us people to do it. And that’s what we’re doing now.” – Sr. Mary John Mananzan
See also: Luneta rallyists dance, laugh, ‘stand up and sign’ against pork barrel
On National Heroes’ Day| Students make a stand against pork barrel
A year after the Million People March rally against pork barrel, a smaller, but still upbeat crowd showed up, and with sharper calls, now pointed against President Aquino.
ACT Rep. Antonio Tinio said the list of so-called “focal persons,” consisting of names and contact numbers of government employees of CHED, DoH, and DOLE, was distributed to House members April 22 this year. He called the list “another proof that President Aquino is secretly and illegally distributing pork to legislators despite the Supreme Court ruling declaring pork as unconstitutional.”