Pork Barrel

Pork barrel has been the talk of the town lately. There are propositions of releasing not pork barrel fund to those Philippine congressmen or senators who are frequently absent during legislative sessions. As they say, "No work, No pork". Some were in favor of removing pork barrel because it has been observed that corruptions originate from the inappropriate use of this fund. But of course, a lot also have objected to the idea, arguing that pork barrel fund belongs to their district (the people) and should not be withheld or removed just because the people's representatives are irresponsible. Especially now that elections is coming, politicians badly needed the pork barrel fund so they can show off and impress their constituents who are also valuable voters with their last minute projects like road repairs, buildings and other infrastructures said to benefit the people. Have you noticed that when election is close, left and right projects are being done by the local governments?

But what is a pork barrel in its noblest meaning?

Pork barrel is a derogatory term referring to appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district. Typically, "pork" involves funding for government programs whose economic or service benefits are concentrated in a particular area but whose costs are spread among all taxpayers. Public works projects, certain national defense spending projects, and agricultural subsidies are the most commonly cited examples.

In the Philippines, the pork barrel have become the President's sort of leash to the politicians. If a representative or a senator is not an ally or is in opposing views with the President, expect not a pork barrel fund release, because the command of whether to release the fund or not is the President's prerogative because the President has the "Power of the Purse".