USAPC Release 23 September 26, 2013 USAP Coalition Commends Fil-Ams for Mass Actions Against PDAF Corruption in the Philippines Los Angeles- “ Our nation wide coordinated mass actions from September 20 to 23, 2013 was a resounding success!” The United States Against PDAF or Pork Barrel System (USAP) Coalition commends all its allies and affiliated organizations for the success of its national coordinated mass actions in the United States from September 20-23, 2013. For USAP Coalition, this means the fire and the deep concern in the Filipino Community is alive and well in its solidarity in the people’s demand to end the culture of corruption in the Philippines. From the west coast to the east coast, hundreds of Filipino-Americans responded with different kinds of mass actions. From prayers rallies to vigils, mass demonstrations and picnics to consulate hopping, petitions and community forums all mobilized and acted for the Filipino people. Mass Actions From West to the East Coast These are the mass actions that were held from September 20 to 23, 2013: -Sept 20 in Los Angeles, scored of activist from the Alliance-Philippines. KmB Pro People Youth and ANSWER-LA led the candle light vigil at the Philippine Consulate. They also paid tribute to all victims of martial law in the Philippines in their one hour picket rally. -Sept 20 in Washington DC, hundreds of Filipino-Americans led by the US Pinoys for Good Governance and the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC) rallied in front of the Philippine Embassy. They were met by PH Embassy officials who received their formal protest notes. The group brought a roasted pig ( Lechon) and ate its roasted skin in a symbolic unmasking of the pork barrel scams against the people. That was their creative way of protest eating. Sept 2o-21- The US Pinoys for Good Governance (USPGG) and the JFAV joined forces and picketed in front of the Philippine Consulate on Sept 20. The next day despite the rain, on Sept 21, the same group held a rally in front of the San Francisco City Hall at the Civic Center to mark the 21st year of martial law. Lastly, on September 23, the Fil-Ams in New York led by DAMAYAN and Ugnayan Youth group picketed the different consulates in the East Coast to call their attention of domestic labor trafficking and ended their pickets with a rally in front of the New York Philippine Consulate. The Senate Must Do its Job Meanwhile USAP ask the Philippine Senate to convene the Senate Ethics Committee and initiate the filing of the complaint of their colleagues involved in the PDAF Scam. Members of the Senate including those involved in the PDAF Scanda are not above the law. The Senate has the inherent power to discipline its members: either by suspension and or expulsion as the case maybe. Let the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee do its job and subsequently worked with the convened Senate Ethics Committee. For USAP we again reiterate our stand no one is above the law. President Aquino and all those in authorities must resolve these issues within the next 100 days. When valid complaint and charges are filed with the Sandiganbayan. The Sandiganbayan must suspend those with charges for plunder .arrest them... and trial must be done expeditiously. Resolve the Cases in 100 Days Again the USAP Coalition chided the Senate that this investigation is fast becoming another soap opera. Now the President and even Congress is asking the SC to lift the TRO and to throw the Petitions to declare the pork barrel system unconstitutional. If Congress , the Ombudsman, Sandiganbayan will not do its job, then these corrupt officials must be removed by Peoples Power. That is the highest form of democracy. And let them all be ready for this mass actions after 100 days that we have given them. *** For more information about USAP Coalition please call at (213)241-0995 or (213) 484-1527 or email at pilipinokami76@yahoo.
Posted on: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 04:28:41 +0000