Press Release
February 24, 2014

Pork barrel abolition a testament to People Power
Cayetano: Spirit of EDSA still alive after 28 years

"Ang mga nanay at tatay natin, pati na ang ating mga lolo at lola, fought for the kind of country they wanted not only for them, but for us as well. Now, it is up to us to honor that spirit and fight for the kind of country we want."

Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter "Companero" S. Cayetano said that the 1986 EDSA revolution remains to be relevant as of the present, saying that the abolition of the graft-ridden pork barrel system in the country is first and foremost a victory of the People Power spirit.

"In a sense, the EDSA revolution is as relevant today as it was 28 years ago because ang mga problema ay nandito pa din, like corruption in government," Cayetano said in an interview with the media in Dagupan City early Monday morning.

"People power is also very much alive. In fact, ang pag-abolish sa pork barrel is a testament to People Power. Through the pro-activeness of media and through the organizers in social media, what they thought would never be accomplished, which would be abolishing pork, was accomplished."

The senator said that the problems besetting the country today would not go away if the people do not unite and fight them, just like what happened in EDSA 28 years ago.

He said the people's victory over the pork barrel scam is just an initial victory. The next battle, Cayetano said, is ensuring that those who are responsible for the plunder of the people's money should be prosecuted and jailed.

"When people act in faith and act together, it can be done. Kung kailangan ng People Power para makasuhan na ang mga dapat kasuhan, [then we should do it]," he stressed.

Cayetano also said that the celebration of the 28th anniversary of the EDSA revolution should also serve as a reminded to the government to institute reforms and stamp out corruption wherever it may be found.

"I think this 28th year anniversary of EDSA is a reminder to all branches of government, like sa Judiciary, ano ba ang reforms na pwedeng niyong gawin? Sa legislature at sa executive," he said.

"We just have to keep renewing the sense of hope but we have to show to people that something can happen afterwards."

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