The Church and the private sector say government must pass the Freedom of Information bill, to prevent the abuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel, similar to the billion peso scam allegedly operated by Janet Lim Napoles. "We condemn this systemic diversion of public funds for private aggrandizement, much more into phantom organizations," read a joint statement of the Makati Business Club, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and other allied organizations. "Thus it is most unfortunate that amidst the earnest efforts of the government to bolster the national coffers through increased tax compliance, the people's money has been allegedly misused by conniving individuals, both inside and outside of government," it added. ANC Dateline Philippines, August 19, 2013