The Target: Not PDAF per se, but Money Politics

Reference to ABS-CBNnews.com's report:

"UP prof laments oversimplification of 'abolish pork'"

Can someone please debate with all organic intellectuals of pork barrel reforms??? I think that too "institutionalistic" analysis oversimplifies the realpolitik of advancing social reforms and social change in the Philippine context.

Source: The Negros Chronicle

When we call for the abolition of the pork barrel, we are targetting not the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) per se, but the whole system of money politics that sustains the structure of patronage and clientelism. We target the 'who' and the 'how' in the state's use of people's money which has long been the lifeblood of uneven power relations in our society. Institutions will follow after we have won this political struggle.

On the Proclaimed Abolition of the Pork Barrel

President Noynoy Aquino has just proclaimed the abolishment of the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) which has long been regarded as a great monetary source and tool of the powers-that-be in the government to promote and perpetuate patronage, clientelism, and corruption in the society. He also spelled out several budgetary reforms on the use of government resources under his administration. There's a reason to celebrate and a reason to remain vigilant.

To me, the greatest achievement of this event/issue is that it has created a critical mass and thus elevated the political consciousness of the people that is so essential in the deepening of the democratization process.

But we should be wary of the tendencies of the PNoy administration to address and resolve conflicts and controversial issues like this through political doublespeak and PR/media spin. Still, I am hopeful because our corrupted governance structure is man-made — thus, we need more committed reformers, innovators, and revolutionaries in national and local governments, business, civil society, and social movements. 

What to do with people's money at this time that PDAF is supposedly abolished? Lots of possible alternatives and solutions. And here's just one, recall my old proposal: establish — or transform an institution like the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) into — a true anti-poverty superbody with mandate, resources, and powers that are capable of delivering the needed social reforms and development for about a hundred million Filipinos.