Pork Barrel | The Adobo Chronicles

Pasay City, Philippines – Each of the 24 Philippine Senators are allocated P200 million annually to spend on their pet public projects. The money comes from taxpayers and is part of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), more commonly known as pork barrel.

The PDAF hit the headlines yet again after an alleged scam involving the diversion of several lawmakers’ pork barrel funds was exposed in the media. Funds, totalling P10 billion, were allegedly poured into phony Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), to the personal benefit of the senators and their cronies.

On Friday, a herd of pigs staged a peaceful protest in front of the Senate Building on Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City. Protest organizers said the pigs were tired of their reputation being tarnished by these pork barrel scams. They also announced their support for a proposed resolution filed Wednesday by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago which would totally eliminate lawmaker pork barrels by 2016.

Friday’s protest is only the second such public disobedience staged by the country’s pigs. The first known pig protest was held a few months ago during the Parada Ng Lechon (Parade of Roasted Pork). See story here.

Washington, D.C. – Facing criticism for the country’s turtle-paced recovery from the recession and continued budget woes that put him in a never-ending fierce battle with Republican legislators, President Barack Obama today vowed to use all available powers bestowed upon the presidency to significantly reduce pork barrel spending. U.S. legislators have consistently used pet projects in their constituent areas as a negotiating tool in federal budget battles. The most memorable pork barrel projects were Alaska’s “Bridge to Nowhere,” and Boston’s Big Dig (Central Artery/Tunnel Project).

Asked by members of the White House Press Corps about specifics of his plan, President Obama said he will propose to Congress a new legislation that would limit the U.S. government’s importation of Ibérico pork. The Ibérico pig is an indigenous species that is only found in the Iberian peninsula. The superb quality of the meat from the Ibérico pig is brought about by the climate, its freedom to roam outdoors and its diet. It is often fed on acorns which gives the meat its wonderful nutty flavor. The price of Ibérico pork commands a very high price in the world market, costing as much as $100 per pound, or approximately $20,000 per barrel. The U.S. Department of Agriculture did not return calls from The Adobo Chronicles seeking information on how many barrels of the pork the country imports each year from Spain.

Apparently, only Ibérico pork is served in the basement cafeterias of the Senate and House of Representatives Buildings on Capitol Hill, as well as during state banquets hosted by the White House. President Obama urged Congress to swiftly pass his proposed legislation cutting down on pork barrel importation. “I am confident we can pass this legislation in a bi-partisan manner,” the President added.