‘Epals’ get jeers
- Published : Tuesday, August 27, 2013 00:00
- Article Views : 121
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OUSTED Chief Justice Renato Corona yesterday joined the anti-pork barrel rally in Manila but found himself in an awkward situation as some of the rallyists jeered him incessantly.
Wearing white polo shirt, he raised a clenched fist in solidarity with ordinary people’s call for the outright abolition of pork barrel.
“I am one with our people in their anger over abuses in the use of pork barrel and in the call for accountability of public officers,” he said.
“We thought the taxes deducted from monthly salaries of ordinary working class and government employees are properly used, but it turns out they are not,” he lamented.
Corona also questioned why the Commission on Audit report on the pork barrel covered a limited period only.
“CoA should be fair. Why did they open only 2007 to 2009? How about 2010 to present?” he asked.
But just as Corona was about to leave the venue several groups in the crowd - including those from his alma matter, Ateneo de Manila University - started to heckle him.
Some of them called him “epal” (attention grabber), while others branded him as “magnanakaw” (thief) and “Corona baboy (pig).”
Corona’s lawyer Dennis Manalo tried to pacify the groups as the former SC chief left the Luneta Grandstand in a van.
Corona was ousted from his post in May last year after the senators found him guilty of culpable violation of the Constitution for non-disclosure of millions of assets in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities an Networth.
Other ‘epals’
Corona was not the only public official rejected by the crowd at the event dubbed “Million People March."
While being interviewed by a TV reporter, Buhay party-list Rep. and former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza was also booed by the crowd after claiming he has been pushing for abolition of pork barrel.
Designer JC Buendia and host Raymond Gutierrez were also heckled while participating in the event. Some protesters called them “epal.”
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