What has become of National Heroes Day 2013?

Thankfully, not (yet). The people has mounted a 'silent' revolution against the government, seeking full explanation to what has become a full-blown issue that currently faces our nation. The Philippines is not a newbie in terms of corruption. As a matter of fact, we have consequently scored high points in Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (CPI) - which is something not worth taking pride on.

2012

2011

2010

 And we topped as East Asia's most corrupt country during these years, as well. EDSA I was the citizenry's answer to the blatant corruption of the Marcoses. EDSA II was to Erap's. EDSA III is a particularly pathetic attempt to reinstate a newly-deposed leader back in power. But today on the 4th Monday of August, August 26 2013, is National Heroes' Day. A day that commemorates the heroic acts that various individuals had done to fight for our nation's freedom. But this year's celebration has been supplemented (or eclipsed, maybe) by the #MillionPeopleMarch. This time, it's about fighting corruption by abolishing the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) more commonly known as the 'pork barrel' which has become a loophole of legislators to channel the taxpayers' money to their personal coffers.

PDAF Explained. Courtesy of The Ateneo Assembly

It has always been a side-issue the past years. Never given much spotlight until the recent time. There goes a whistleblower against the Napoleses. Janet Napoles denied the accusations. Inquiries were made, audits were done. Before we know it, she has gone into hiding (and has even been reported to have undergone cosmetic surgery. Dear plastic surgeon, you should have botched that one case).

The Pork Barrel Scam. Again, image courtesy to The Ateneo Assembly

It only took a spark of disgust by a certain Peachy Bretana which was fanned by the billowing waves of the social media that eventually ablaze as individuals share the same burning sentiment. The new medium of information dissemination has proven itself good in doing its job. The Occupy movement is one of its celebrated beneficiaries. Now, #MillionPeopleMarch has used it to their advantage. Across social networking websites, online petitions and simple chat between acquaintances, the word has spread like wildfire. Despite the Executive's drastic action to mitigate the event by 'abolishing' (more of renaming, in most people's opinions) the infamous PDAF, it has not chipped nor broken the Filipino spirit to urge the complete and total abolition of the pork barrel and insisting the direct channeling of funds to social services rather letting it pass through legislators where most of the corruption takes place. Rizal Park, where our national hero's statue stands elegantly, has become a place of congregation of Filipinos. With burning desire they come with the inquiry:

Credits to the maker of this ozzum image.

Lo and behold, the call has been heed by Filipinos, here in the country and overseas alike. Movements were being done in various key cities across the archipelago and in cities across the globe where Filipinos thrive. In our own little ways, we are part of the movement - may we be there physically or in spirit. 

As of 10 AM in Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park
(c) Paulo Alcazaren

This only shows how much concerned are the Filipino citizens regarding this issue since it goes straight to everybody's guts. We all pay taxes, even non-working individuals in the form of VAT which we pay when we buy goods. Hopefully, this is not a mere flash in the pan but the eventual start of the people's constant monitoring and involvement in social issues. We must also help in instigating a solution. We can not only topple down the problem and start cheering. A new system must be put into place. If new individuals with pure and earnest interests in uplifting the country from the slums it has been lowered into must be placed in the place of corrupt ones, so be it. As long as we share the same desire, the same sentiment, the same disgust against the system, we are part of the #MillionPeopleMarch. We have been victims far too long. Far too long than we can ever imagine.