NR0228: Big three using VAT, blaming small players to jack rates

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 28, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
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Small oil players not to blame for recent oil price hikes; Big Three using proposal to impose VAT on oil products as an excuse to jack rates with impunity

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the oil cartel led by Shell, Caltex and Petron were already taking advantage of the debate sparked by the bill proposing to impose value added tax on oil and petroleum products. The Big Three recently raised gasoline and diesel prices by 60 centavos and 50 centavos per liter respectively. They justified this latest increase by saying that the small players have jacked their own prices.

"Who are these oil companies trying to fool? They're have a stranglehold monopoly over the oil industry in the country -- they're the ones dictating the oil prices. The small players pose no genuine threat or competition to the monopoly of the Big Three. The small players have only a little more than a handful of stations all over the country, whereas Shell, Caltex and Petron have stations by the hundreds. What's more, the small players also get their petroleum and oil supplies from the oil monopoly, so their pricing mechanism is also based on that of the Big Three," he said.

Beltran said that the possibility of lifting of VAT exemptions on oil products have given the oil cartel another devious reason to jack their prices. "The bill hasn't been passed yet, but here we see the cartel already increasing their prices in preparation for it. If oil products are made VATable, it's dead-certain that they will pass it on to consumers, prompting increases in transportation and products of commodities and rates of services."

Beltran said that the public should take up Malacanang on its statement last weekend that it's all for the review of the oil deregulation law. "The review of the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998 is long overdue. Since the deregulation policy was implemented, prices of oil and oil products have continuously increased. The enactment of Republic Act 8479 in 1998 gave oil companies in the country the legal right to independently determine prices of their products even without informing or seeking permission from the Philippines government," he said.

"The small players, in particular those that import oil from their own affiliates abroad like Pilipinas Shell, Caltex Philippines, and Petron, have the leeway to pad the real prices of their products. Such malpractice adds up to the burden of consumers since prices at the pump get even higher than the actual costs, which already include company profit margins. This year alone, gasoline prices have increased almost a dozen times nine times, with increases totaling to P5.35 - P5.50 per liter; diesel prices have increased eight times, with increases totaling P4.15- P4.30 per liter. The small players ar e not to blame for this, but the big three," he said. #

NR0228: Junk EPIRA, stop selling Napocor SPUGS

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 28, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

Immediately Suspend implementation of EPIRA and privatization of energy sector even as call for scrapping of law gains ground - Rep. Beltran

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that even as lawmakers were calling for the review of the Energy Power Industry reform Act (EPIRA), the implementation of the EPIRA and the privatization of the energy sector slammed the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) anew for approving "left and right, one after the other" petitions of the National power Corporation (Napocor) and the Meralco."There are already calls to have the ERC abolished. It's nothing but a clearing room for the rate increases and other opportunistic demands of the Napocor, Meralco and the IPPs. As for the EPIRA, even without the congressional or senate investigations it's become patently clear to everyone especially to consumers that it's a destructive law," he said. He urged fellow legislators to co-author HB 2531, or the bill repealing EPIRA.

Late last week, the ERC gave the go signal to the rate hike application of the Napocor (NPC) in selected areas nationwide where the state firm's Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) operates; as well as approving the Meralco's petition for increase - this time a in 9.29-centavo rate hike.

In Luzon, generation rates were adjusted by 21.09 centavos per kilowatt hour (kWh), an increase from P3.7064 per kWh to P3.9173. The adjusted rates will be implemented for two years. Rate increase in the Visayas is pegged at 30.06 centavos per kWh to be recovered in a three-year period. The new rate for Visayas will be P5.94 per kWh from the current rate of P5.64. In Mindanao, generation rates will go up by 11.42 centavos per kWh for six months. Prior to the ERC's approval, however, the NPC already implemented the adjusted rates last month. There are 14 identified missionary or unviable areas that are currently under the control and operation of the NPC-SPUG. The state firm wants the private sector to take over the operations in these areas.

Beltran reiterated his firm opposition to the privatization of the Napocor, and said that privatization will only open the gates to higher, more exploitative electricity rates for consumers all over the country. "The ERC and the Napocor are in complete cahoots to raise rates up to the roof to generate income for the latter and make it more appealing for potential buyers. Through all this, it's the consumers who suffer the consequences. They're holding the entire nation hostage to the rate hikes and the exorbitant rates," he said.

Energy Secretary Vincent Perez has said private-sector participation could take the form of a takeover of the supply of electricity to any existing NPC-SPUG areas, either through outright purchase or leas e of existing NPC-SPUG assets. The private sector could also install new power-generating facilities including associated power delivery systems.

In its order, the ERC said the rate increase would allow NPC-SPUG to recoup underrecoveries incurred under the deferred accounting adjustment (DAA) of the generation rate adjustment mechanism (Gram) for the period January to June 2004. DAA is a component of the total currency exchange rate adjustment intended to recover/refund the deferred currency exchange adjustment.

In the meantime, the ERC's approval for the Meralco's 9.29-centavo rate hike per kWh was also based on the so-called DAA. However, Meralco will implement the rate adjustment for two years, from February 2005 to January 2007. The ERC adopted in October last year a new set of guidelines replacing Gram to an automatic generation charge adjustment which will be done on a monthly basis. Gram was the new name of the purchase power adjustment, and it was previously implemented every three months. With a monthly adjustment in generation rates, distribution utilities, such as Meralco, will no longer need prior approval from the ERC and can adjust their prices monthly. #

NR0226:GMA sacked Soriquez, why not Winston Garcia?

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 27, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
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COA report finds GSIS eCard project anomalous

If GMA sacked Florante Soriquez as DPWH secretary on charges of corruption, why isn't she doing the same to GSIS' Winston Garcia? - Rep. Beltran

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today challenged President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to take a step back and immediately remove Winston Garcia as president and chairman of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) given the strong recommendation made by the Commission on Audit (CoA) regarding the controversial GSIS eCard project and the GSIS fund transfer from the government-owned Land Bank of the Philippines to the private Union Bank.

In its report, the CoA said that the processes employed in the implementation of the eCard project and their repercussions are illegal and violative of law, rules and regulations - among them the RA 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act, as well as EO dated September 18, 2003 amending Executive Order No. 109 dated May 27, 2002 Prescribing the Rules and Procedures on the Review and Approval of Government Contracts to Conform with RA 9184.

"The GSIS through Garcia embarked on a multi-billion project without growing the process prescribed by law. There are a thousand and one anomalies going on in the GSIS, but Garcia has been so far successful in gluing himself to his post because of the strong backing of President Arroyo. Why is Garcia so important to the president?," he said. "Pres. Arroyo sacked Florante Soriquez from the Department of Public Works and Highways because of strong allegations of corruption and the protests of employees and other public officials against him. The case against Garcia is much stronger, and the impact of his corrupt deeds more damaging as it affects the economic welfare and security of 1.6 million government employees and GSIS members active and retired. If Pres. Arroyo can sack Soriquez within a week after the scandals erupted against the latter, why is she not doing the same with Garcia?"

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that Garcia has also been avoiding the Congressional investigative hearings into the various alleged anomalies in the GSIS. "Not even his shadow appeared during the last three hearings of the Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization or the Committee on Civil Service which are conducting investigations into Garcia's administration and management of the GSIS," he said. Beltran himself has filed some 12 resolutions into Garcia's abuse of authority in the GSIS.

Beltran the original copy of the COA report addressed to Garcia from the COA team that led by Atty. Joel S. Estolatan; Aty. Rhoda Pilena; Atty. Leonor Boadol Atty. Alexander Juliano; and Ms. Rosalina Salvador was dated January 21, 2004; but Garcia has yet to provide explanations in answer the CoA's findings.

It's been revealed that the GSIS, through Garica, sent letters to three government depository banks, the Land Bank, the Development bank of the Philippines and the Philippine National Bank (PNB) inviting them to submit proposals to provide the GSIS product and service dubbed as the GSIS e-card envisioned as an ATM and an e-purse/e-wallet for the system's 1.6 million members, active and retired. Shortly after approaching the banks, Garcia awarded the contract to Unionbank, but the awarding did not go to public bidding.

The law on public bidding that states that all procurement of the national government; its departments, bureaus, offices and agencies, including state universities and colleges and GOCCS, government financial institutions and local government unit should show transparency in the procurement process and in the implementation of procurement contracts. "The GSIS grossly and deliberately failed to comply with the requirements of law and jurisprudence. The bidding invitations it sent to the banks did not include specifications for approved budget for the contract. Neither did the GSIS give out eligibility requirements, instruction to bidders or criteria for eligibility,"

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that the award of the GSIS eCard to Unionbank is also disadvantageous to the government and to the 1.6 million GSIS members, active and retired. "Because of the fund transfer, the government through the LandBank will lose an estimated income of P1,273,625, 726 in seven (7) years representing loan processing fees and interest earnings of alternative investments, exclusive of income which the Land Bank could earn in the billions of deposits/investments of GSIS that were transferred to a private bank, in this case the Unionbank," he pointed out.

Award of the GSIS eCard to the Unionbank will cause the government to lose some P1,273,725 in estimated income for seven years comprising of P632,875,729 loan processing fee of the bank and P640,750,000 interest earnings of alternative investments on the P1 billion eCard project minimum balance requirement, exclusive of income which the LandBank could earn in the billions of deposits/investments of the GSIS that were transferred to the private bank. #

NR0226: COA's damning report on GSIS and Garcia's eCard

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 26, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
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Solon says COA has damning report regarding GSIS eCard; demands President Arroyo sack Garcia immediately

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo no longer has an excuse to retain Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) president and chairman Winston Garcia, and that she should immediately remove Garcia from office. This is the light of the latest report released by the Commission on Audit dated January 21 that the GSIS transfer of funds from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LB) to the Union Bank was illegal, and so is the controversial E-card system which Garcia himself pushed for implemention.

"If PGMA was serious in her anti-corruption drive, she would sack Garcia instead of protecting him. Garcia has committed so many anomalous transactions and implemented destructive programs in the GSIS that directlyt a ttack the security of GSIS funds and the welfare of its 1.6 million members," he said.

Beltran said that he has in his hands an original copy of the COA report addressed to Garcia from the COA team that led by Atty. Joel S. Estolatan; Aty. Rhoda Pilena; Atty. Leonor Boadol Atty. Alexander Juliano; and Ms. Rosalina Salvador.

"The team of COA auditors studied the issue inside and out, and their recommendations are damning," he said. "Garcia's leadership of the GSIS has led to countless anomalies that involves millions of pesos. Why is GMA keeping Garcia? Is the president somehow involved in the anomalous contracts and dealings Garcia has forged with private banks such as the Unionbank of the Aboitiz group of Cebu?"

Records to the COA show that the GSIS, through Garica, sent letters to three government depository banks, the Land Bank, the Development bank of the Philippines and the Philippine National Bank (PNB) inviting them to submit proposals to provide the GSIS product and service dubbed as the GSIS e-card envisioned as an ATM and an e-purse/e-wallet for the system's 1.6 million members, active and retired.

It was revealed that the awarding of the contract for the eCard did not go to public bidding. This is a direct violation of RA 9184, or the law on public bidding that states that all procurement of the national government; its departments, bureaus, offices and agencies, including state universities and colleges and GOCCS, government financial institutions and local government unit should show transparency in the procurement process and in the implementation of procurement contracts.

"The GSIS, according to investigations of the COA, clearly failed to comply with the requirements of law and jurisprudence. The mere letters of invitation for offers it sent to the banks and the verbal invitation given t o the Bank of the Philippine Islands, Metrobank and Equitable PCI Bank were without the specifications for approved budget for the contract. Neither did the GSIS give out eligibility requirements, instruction to bidders or criteria for eligibility," he said.
"Even granting that the GSIS adopted the limited source bidding in the procurement of the Ecard, it still failed to comply with the requirements of the law, rules and regulations," he said. "The GSIS eCard which involves an amount of P1 Billion did not appear to comply with requirements.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that the award of the GSIS eCard to Unionbank is also disadvantageous to the government and to the 1.6 million GSIS members, active and retired.
"Because of the fund transfer, the government through the LandBank will lose an estimated income of P1,273,625, 726 in seven (7) years representing loan processing fees and interest earnings of alternative investments, exclusive of income which the Land Bank could earn in the billions of deposits/investments of GSIS that were transferred to a private bank, in this case the Unionbank," he pointed out.

Award of the GSIS eCard to the Unionbank will cause the government to lose some P1,273,725 in estimated income for seven years comprising of P632,875,729 loan processing fee of the bank and P640,750,000 interest earnings of alternative investments on the P1 billion eCard project minimum balance requirement, exclusive of income which the LandBank could earn in the billions of feposits/investments of the GSIS that were transferred to the private bank.

He also said that the Unionbank's designation as GSIS depository bank and the award of the eCard project is against the interest of all GSIS members. "Records show that as of Sept. 13, 2004, Unionbank has no branches in 16 GSIS field offices, such as Antipolo City, Bataan, Bayombong, La Union, Palawan, Sorsogon, Butuan City, Catbalogan City, Cotabato City, Dipolog City , Dumaguete City, Kidapawan City, Maasin City, Roxas City, Surigao and Tagum. As of Nov, Unionbank has NO branches in 51 provinces and six NCR cities.

"Because of this scarcity in branches, pensioners and members w ill have to lay out hundreds of pesos for transportation and hours of their working time to encash their much-needed GSIS loans and benefits. For instance, a pensioner from La Union needs to go all the way to Baguio or Dagupan just to encash his pension which sometimes amouts to even less than P500. This doesn't even take into consideration the fact that most of these pensioners are already old and infirm," he said. #

NR0221: RP-Japan trade agreement (JPEPA)

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 21, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
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Rep. Beltran calls attention to GMA trade agreement with Japan; says JPEPA should be scrutinized by Congress and Senate before Malacanang signs it

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today he file a resolution questioning the authority of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo forge a bilateral agreement with Japan - the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).She is posed to sign the JPEPA when it is completed in July with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. The JPEPA is supposed to be the "first ever" economic partnership pact Japan has entered into with a country belonging to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

In broad strokes, JPEPA works out arrangements between the two countries on regarding tariff rates on automobiles and human resource issues like the entry of Filipino caregivers and nurses to Japan.

But according to statement released by the Japanese embassy itself, the purposes of the Agreement are to promote a freer trans-border flow of goods, persons, services and capital between Japan and the Philippines. The Agreement also aims to promote a comprehensive economic partnership, which includes intellectual property, competition policy, improvement of business environment and bilateral cooperation in such fields as human resources development, information and communications technology and small and medium enterprises.

"This is no small agreement - this is as major as major can get. Crucial and critical aspects of the country's national economy are being reworked, and neither Congress nor the Senate has been consulted regarding this. With agreements such as the JPEPA, there's no more need for a full-blown Cha-cha process; Malacanang is already amending the Constitution by entering such trade and policy agreements unilaterally. There are grounds to say that this constitutes a strong abuse of authority," he said.

Beltran said that Pres. Arroyo's one-on-one dealings with the Japanese government have not been scrutinized by the Senate. He said trade agreements, the same as military agreements, fall under the jurisdiction of the Senate. "Again, Malacanang is acting on its own on forging an important agreement that could pose threats against the economic wellbeing of the nation and the Filipino people. The details of the JPEPA should be subjected to senate and congressional investigations to determine if they pose any serious, adverse effects to the country's economic sovereignty and protectionist laws," he said.

Through the negotiations conducted so far, both sides have reached agreements in principle on major elements of the Agreement, among them are: Trade in Goods: Tariffs of industrial products and agriculture, forestry, and fishery products will be eliminated or reduced comprehensively. Investment: The Agreement will include provisions concerning National Treatment, Most-Favored-Nation Treatment and Performance Requirement Prohibitions for the liberalization of investment and enhance transparency by specifying all exceptions to these provisions. Furthermore, provisions concerning protection of investment will also be included in the Agreement. Movement of Natural Persons The Japanese side will allow entry of Filipino candidates for qualified nurses and certified careworkers that satisfy certain requirements and will allow them to work, after completing training of Japanese language and others, as preparation for obtaining national licenses, on the assumption that the Philippine side will provide a similar framework to meet the Japanese interest. (Duration of stay: up to 3 years for nurses, 4 years for certified careworkers).

NR0221: Natl ID system and ATB

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 21, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

National ID system, Anti-Terror Bill to exacerbate HR violations as it empower the police and military against the civilian populace

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that under different political and economic circumstances, he would support the establishment of a national ID system. "The arguments regarding heightened efficiency are believable and valid; but given the political and economic motives of the administration pushing the national ID system, it would be a crime against the Filipino people to support the proposal. The government wants a more efficient system of defeating and rounding up its political opponents, particularly those who denounce the administration's economic policies and political compromises that attack the welfare of the poor and working people," he said.

Beltran said that it's almost impossible not to question the motives of the government at this juncture. He said that the ID system, if passed, would effectively centralize all vital information about an individual in a dossier that could be used against him.

"The administration should focus on job creation, genuine land distribution and bringing down water and electricity rates and gasoline prices. There's serious economic chaos going on, and it's not going to be solved by the national ID system. As for the scourge of terrorism, the administration keeps hyping it to serve its own purposes. It's precisely the administration's refusal to heed the demands of the marginalized sectors and religious sections of society for humane and humanitarian economic and political reforms that's worsening the country's crisis. The roots of terrorism is only deeply lodged within the administration's allegiances to foreign powers and their agenda in the country."

Meanwhile, Beltran also expressed strong opposition against plans to legislate an anti-terrorism law. He said that the proposed bill states that a person can also be arrested without warrant and detained for more than 30 days. "It's clear that this would be a violation of a person's right to due process, the right to defend oneself and the right to know the nature and cause of his accusation. The anti-terror bill also violates the people's right to self organization because it punishes mere membership in what the government calls "outlawed" organizations. Applying these standards would crucify a person: anyone may be found "guilty by association." This violates the judicial system's presumption of innocence toward a suspect.

"As for the bill's provision on the installation and use of modern surveillance equipment encroaches on a person's privacy and violates the right to free communication.

Beltran said that the passage of the anti-terror bill will legalize the culture of impunity as a privilege given to the men in uniform, namely members of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He said the ATB is an added instrument for infringing on the people's rights. "By making it into a law, it will leave the main perpetrators of human rights violations unpunished. The PNP and the AFP s till hold the highest record of HR violations. It is their rights the ATB wants to protect," he said.

Finally, Beltran said that the ATB is unnecessary because there are enough existing laws that could be used to arrest or penalize suspected criminals. "There are existing rules on criminal procedure and the state is already empowered to implement these. At this point in the country's political and economic development, its clear that an anti-terror bill would only be used against the people, while protecting those in authority," he said. #

NR0216: Victims of the AFP bombing operations

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 16, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
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GMA should also express sympathy and compassion to the victims of the AFP's bombing operations; Many Muslim Filipinos see the AFP as bad as the ASG

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today expressed outrage anew over the Valentines' Day bombings that led to the death of seven civilians, but said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's compassion should also extend to the thousands of victims of the operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Sulu and surrounding provinces in Mindanao.

Beltran said that even as investigations into the recent bombings in the Metro continue, the administration should also take responsibility for the human rights violations being perpetrated by the AFP in the name of the counter-terrorism campaign. "Thousands of civilian are being displaced from their homes and an untold number -- even as of this writing - are being targeted for illegal arrests and detention upon the merest suspicion of being Abu Sayyaf members or sympathizers of the Moro Nationalist Liberation Front (MNLF). "

"Because of this, many of our Muslim brothers and sisters see the AFP as no different from the ASG, as they sow terror in Mindanao," he said. "The victims of the AFP's relentless counter-insurgency campaign and their suspiciously failing operations to put an end to the ASG number more than the victims of the ASG. The bombing operations of the AFP in Sulu have rendered thousands homeless, traumatized and war-shocked. Strong allegations that the ASG also have close but secret ties to the AFP have not been disproved either," he said.

"President Arroyo as commander in chief of the AFP should order her troops to withdraw or at the least initiate immediate peace talks and a cessation of hostilities if only for the sake of the civilian populace," he said.

The veteran labor leader said that the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP)'s search for suspects is most likely also going to result to the illegal arrest of hundreds more of innocent Muslim civilians. "In the last decades, hundreds have been rounded up and thrown into various jails in Mindanao on suspicion of being ASG or MNLF or MILF. Many Muslim civilians remain languishing in jail because they have no legal counsels or means for bail. The AFP and the PNP are on the search not so much for suspects but for fall guys," he said. #

NR0216:Protect Pinoys from illegal visa and document trade

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 16, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

In the aftermath of new laws, solon calls on Arroyo government to protect Filipinos bound for Japan from possible resurgence of illegal visa and other travel documents trade

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the Macapagal-Arroyo administration should immediately prepare measures to assist Filipino overseas workers and performing artists in Japan as the said country begins to tighten requirements for entertainment visas. Beltran said that there could well be a resurgence in the trade of illegal visas and other travel documents, as unscrupulous recruiters and travel agencies prey on the desperation of OFWs who want to enter and work in Japan.

According to reports, there are some 80,000 Filipino entertainers in Japan. "Out of desperation, our kababayans might fall victims to the illegal documents trade that is certain to mushroom everywhere as a result of the policy changes. Worse, Filipinos might even resort to more desperate tactics just so they can return to Japan, or enter if they're going there for the first time," he said. Among these moves of desperation, he said, could be to make deals with human trafficking syndicates and even the Japanese Yakuza.

The veteran labor leader said that the Philippine government and its agencies dealing with OFWs such as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) pool their resources together and come up with to protect OFWs bound for Japan. He said that these agencies should release reading and other informational materials to guide Filipino planning to work in Japan as OPAs.

"At the least, OFWs should be informed regarding the changes in policy in Japan and what the Philippine government has done about it. All efforts must be done to protect the safety and welfare of Filipinos working abroad, and the first step would be to inform them of what lies in store for them in the country they want to go to," he said.

"Since the Philippine government continues to fail its mandate to provide employment for majority of its constituents, it should at least make sure that OFWs are safe in the host countries. Better yet, the government should scrap its low wages, no-job security employment policies on the homefront and generate sustained and adequate employment for the Filipino people so they won't have to seek jobs abroad," he said.

Beltran echoed the stand of migrant organizations that the Partial Amendment of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act could affect at least 31,000 overstaying Filipinos, 82,000 Filipino entertainers and even thousands of Filipinas married to Japanese nationals. . The new already outlawed theiir continued stay in Japan, effective Dec. 2, 2004. In the immediate aftermath of this law, most of the 304,678 Filipinos in Japan may be subjected to the harsh, inhumane penalties and procedures under the law. These include warrantless arrests, jail terms, steep fines and deportation.

Since the Macapagal-Arroyo administration is heavily reliant on the remittances of OFWs to prop its floundering governance, the least it can for OFWs is to protect them from the rights violations in the countries where they a re deployed. While the new Japanese laws aims to immediately decrease the number of "illegal foreign residents" in Japan, in reaction to a purported "deterioration of public security" and rampant human trafficking, they do not address the issue of human trafficking.

"Close analysis of the issue will reveal that the new laws will actually only raise revenues for the Japanese authorities by further penalizing Filipino victims of human trafficking," he lamented. "So far, majority of the complaints and reports of victims of sex abuse and human trafficking have not been resolved, the victims uncompensated, and the perpetrators free to continue to crimes. It's the Arroyo administration's duty to impose comprehensive measures to protect the democratic rights and welfare of Filipinos in Japan, as well as in other countries," he said.#

NR0215:On Makati, Davao, Gensan bombings

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 15, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

Rep. Beltran express skepticism over Makati, Davao, GenSan bombings; says RP military joint with US intelligence/military forces possibly behind attacks

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today condemned the bombings last night in Makati, General Santos and Davao, and expressed sympathy for the victims and their families. Beltran said, however, that he was still unsold on the idea that the bombings were perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf extremist group. He said that the bombings were possibly connected to the government, and its desperation to quell growing dissent against the tax measures, and the call for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

"It's too well-coordinated, too-well planned. The ASG could not have been clever or well-prepared enough to perpetrate such a well-executed plan of terrorism," he said. "It's difficult to discount the role of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in this, or that of the US intelligence and military forces. Both the Macapagal-Arroyo administration and the US officials in the country have been very vocal about stepping up the anti-terrorism campaign and to justify the immediate passage of an anti-terrorism bill. Hardcore elements in both parties could well have launched these bombings as part of a plot to force the public into supporting politically repressive moves, and to distract the public from the tax measures the administration is pushing," he said.

Beltran said the military logically has the most expertise as well as the materials, equipment and preparedness to initiate these terrorist attacks. "If it's not the military and if the ASG was really behind the bombings - then heads in the military topbrass should roll," he said.

He also said that the US intelligence and military experts in the country could also have a hand in the bombings. "These US intelligence and military forces are experts in sowing political intrigue and launching attacks in countries where the US has an economic and military agenda. The record of the US in this sort of thing is dripping with the blood of innocent civilians."

The veteran labor leader said that if the ASG was behind the attacks, then it only goes to show that the AFP and the Department of National Defense's statements in the previous months that they have essentially defeated the ASG were all lies. "If the ASG planned these attacks and perpetrated them, then they've not weakened at all and in fact they've recovered and strengthened. It's not likely though that they have spread their operations to Manila and the other urban centers of Davao and General Santos City. The intelligence network of the AFP would have been able to determine this beforehand, unless they've all been sleeping on the job. In whatever case, the AFP, the DND, the ISAFP and even the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) should be placed in the spotlight for this tragedy. They seriously failed their mandate to protect public safety and civilian security," he concluded.#

NR0214:Scrap IPP contracts, impose direct taxes on IPPs

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 14, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

Solon says VAT reduction to 6% not enough; tax IPPs directly as they will only pass VAT on to consumers and scrap their onerous contracts

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the House Committee on Ways and Means' proposals to lower the value added tax (VAT) rate from 10 percent to six percent on processed foods, as well to lower the VAT on power generation and petroleum were not enough. "Even a 1 percent VAT is already a burden on consumers, given the plunging real value of the peso." He also said if the independent power producers (IPPs) were going to taxed, the IPPs will most certainly pass on the costs to consumers."

This was the veteran labor leader turned lawmaker's comment on Rep. Jesli Lapus' proposal to lower the VAT to be imposed on IPPs from 12 to 6 percent. "The IPPs are using the infamous The Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2000 (EPIRA) to legalize not their only on its onerous take-or-pay contracts, but to justify their imposition of taxes on their profits. But regardless of how big or small the new taxes will be levied on consumers, the IPPs will only pass them on the public," he said.

Beltran said that the Macapagal-Arroyo administration should, once and for all rescind the contracts with these IPPs that that cost the government P83 billion losses in 2002 alone. "Its appalling that the IPPs continue to be pampered -- given specific government guarantees which in turn result to debts of half a trillion for NAPOCOR, P200 billion of which are to be absorbed by the government.

Onerous provisions in these onerous IPP contracts include take-or-pay provisions, ensuring IPPs of payment for the full capacity of a plant even if NAPOCOR only used 35% of the power generated and foreign exchange guarantees which required NAPOCOR to absorb fluctuations in the peso-dollar exchange rates.

Beltran said imposing the VAT on the IPPs will only increase the already exorbitant electricity. Estimates of rate increases resulting from the VAT proposal range from 2 to 10%. Electricity rates have already gone up by 25-30% since December 2003.

"Instead of implementing a regressive pass-on tax such as the VAT on the IPPs, Congress should tax these IPPs directly. It's also high-time that the EPIRA be reviewed because the basis for the calls for its junking have already been established," he said. According to him, it is the EPIRA that ensures that IPPs keep their profits and consumers pay for these VAT increases. Beltran has already spearheaded the filing of HB 2531 repealing EPIRA.

"It remains infuriating the way the national government is using its budgetary woes to justify its attacks on the welfare of the poor; especially when one realizes that these woes are the government's own doing, an inevitable result of the demented economic policies it implements. The government should focus on going after the big-time tax evaders and the personal and business taxes of the rich, instead of taxing the poor," he said.


In the meantime, Beltran said that imposing the VAT on petroleum products will also be disastrous. He said that the public should not rest easy or trust the House on its statement that LPG will still be exempted from VAT. "I wouldn't trust the proponents of these regressive tax measures as far as I can throw them,' he said. Beltran said that with the VAT, LPG prices can increase from P385 to about P420 per cylinder.

He asserted that the oil cartel can be directly taxed, but it shouldn't be made to pay the VAT or any similar tax such as a 'gross sales tax' because they will only pass these on to consumers.#

NR0214:Salonga urged to investigate complaints of HR victims

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 14, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

Rep. Beltran urges former Senate President Salonga to help investigate complaints of Marcos HR victims regarding continued denial of indemnification instead of blaming the victims

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that former senate president Jovito Salonga's accosting of Marcos human rights victims and defense of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was uncalled for.

"Why blame the victims? Justice continues to be denied them, and it was only through their painstaking and collective effort that their justified demand for indemnification has been heard. Governments after Marcos, however, continue to forge compromises with the Marcos heirs at the expense of the victims, and the delays in the release of the indemnification grow longer and longer. It's not at all the fault of the Marcos victims, and it's an insult that the goof former senate president would even imply such a thing," he said.

"If Mr. Salonga wants to blame anyone, it should be the so-called executors of the people's will, headed by President Arroyo. Their lack of sincere political will to go after the Marcoses and their ill-gotten wealth, and give the victims and the survivors their much-deserved indemnification is at the core of this problem," he said.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that instead of blaming the victims and survivors, former senate president Salonga should push for the immediate passage of the human rights compensation bill. He also urged Salonga to assist the long-standing and credible Marcos human right victims organizations in their campaign to have their members recognized and their demand for indemnification legitimized.

"Ex-senator Salonga should also investigate the complaints of the victims against House Committee chair on human rights Rep. Etta Rosales' maneuvers to compromise the interest of the victims by weakening the bill.

"There are over 9,500 human rights victims and survivors of the Marcos dictatorship who have already gone through the gauntlet in retelling their ordeal at the hands of dictatorship's mercenary forces. House Rep. Etta Rosales is insisting that the victims be made to account for themselves all over again and present proof that they are indeed legitimate claimants. The call of human rights groups of Marcos victims is to have their members automatically recognized. These victims are also plaintiffs in the class suit filed against the Marcoses in Hawaii, and the US court has already recognized their rights. If a foreign court has already recognized the victims, why is Rep. Rosales pushing that the victims go though the torturous and tedious process of documentation all over again?"

Beltran said that the release of financial indemnification was not was the victims were principally demanding, "But it's the most immediate and concrete form of justice that the government can give them. Memorials should be established in their name, and history books rewritten to include a more comprehensive and credible account of the dark years under martial law. At the onset however, indemnification should be given," he said. #

NR0211: Suspend MNTC toll fee hike

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 11, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

Solon calls for suspension of 400% toll fee hike in Northern Luzon Express Way; says Lopez owners committing literal highway robbery

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today demanded that House committees on privatization and transportation and communication immediately look into the complaints of motorists regarding the exorbitant fees being charged by the Manila North Tollways Corp. he said that the hike in toll fees should be immediately suspended pending investigations on whether such a 400% increase in fees is justified. He has already filed House Resolution 358 on the matter, calling investigations into what he terms as the MNTC's "literal highway robbery."

The MNTC is justifying the increase by saying that the road improvements it has implemented aims to provide safety features such as efficient traffic management, lighting, cameras and strict enforcement of traffic rules to reduce the number of accidents.

MNTC is 70 percent owned by the Lopez group (of Meralco and Maynilad) corporation's First Philippine Infrastructure Development Corporation. The other shareholders are Egis Trans and Leighton Asia Ltd. The MNTC has constructed additional 138 additional new-lane kilometers increasing the number to 433 to accommodate more vehicles and reduce traffic congestion;

Beltran said that there is no doubt that the improvements the MNTC is making to the NLEX will benefit motorists; but, the terrible downside is that they will be made to pay through the nose for all the improvements for years to come.

"It's more of the greedy profit-motive that's at the core of the increased toll fees, and not the spirit of public service. They say that there is no debate that the MNTC has invested billions in improving the NLEX; but it's appalling and horrible that it is such in a tearing hurry to recoup all its expenditures by imposing a gargantuan increase in toll rates," he said.

Beltran said that the immediate impact of the toll rate hike would be increases in bus fares and other transportation costs which would all be saddled on consumers and the public utility vehicle-using public. Commuters decry the fact that it already costs an arm and a leg to travel from Manila to Bulacan one way, now, with the increase in toll fees, the transport fares will even be more painful on the budget.

"The Macapagal-Arroyo government should should make moves to purchase the NLEX from the MNTC and stop the privatization of both the NLEX and the Southern Luzon Express Way. It is apparent that the concessionaire-relationship between the government and the MNTC is abusive, and the public is the most being exploited," he said.
The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker also said that congress should urge the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB)to thumb down the MNTC's proposal for a rate increase. At the least, it should 2 years should pass before the MNTC is allowed to jack toll rates. #

NR0211:GMA govt has explaining to do re Marcos loot

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 11, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

Solon demands Pres. Arroyo take command responsibility for the missing Marcos funds; says this controversy yet another impeachable offense

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today expressed condemnation anew for th Macapagal-Arroyo administration anew for stringing the public and the Marcos victims along regarding the Marcos ill-gotten wealth. "This is another impeachable offense against Pres. Arroyo. She has gone behind the Filipino people's back regarding the Marcos ill-gotten wealth, and now that questions are being raised, her government is only issuing denials, using dilatory tactics to blindside the Marcos victims demanding indemnification," he said.

Beltran demanded that Malacanang immediately admit where it has used the Marcos money, challenging Pres. Arroyo to prove the Marcos victims wrong in their accusations that the billions have already been siphoned and spent.
"We need receipts, we demand records. The Macapagal-Arroyo administration is as bad as the Marcoses in denying the human rights victims justice," he said. "The administration is playing badminton with the Marcoses, using the indemnification funds as their shuttlecock while the human rights victims watch in outrage. There's a massive cover-up being done here and its impossible that the Marcoses are not in on the plot along with the Macapagal-Arroyo administration. The Marcos settlements have been settled between the Arroyo government and the Marcoses, and the victims have been left out in the cold."

Beltran said that it was logical to think that the Macapagal-Arroyo government has already spent and used up the Marcos wealth. "For one, the administration is deep in debt and is even auctioning over the remaining profitable GOCCs. For another, international creditors and investors are breathing down its neck, demanding that the government show a counterpart fund or collateral equivalent to secure and protect the profits of these investors. The first and logical suspect in this mystery of the missing Marcos funds is the executive itself. Pres. Arroyo should take immediate, command responsibility for the missing funds, "he said.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that it's also becoming clear why there have been so many delays in the passage of the Marcos compensation bill. "In the light of these new developments, its becoming apparent that delays in the finalization and deliberation of the compensation bill are deliberate. It would be an outrage to find that all this effort that went into the crafting of the bill will be wasted; that the debates and disagreements were all provoked and encouraged to delay the deliberations because there were no more compensation funds to be given to the 9,000 Marcos human rights victims," he said.#

NR0209: Bong Bong and his mom

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 9, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

Bong Bong lies; heirs of Marcos colluding with Macapagal-Arroyo
administration to deny human rights victims their just indemnification - Rep.
Beltran

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that Ilocos Norte Gov.
Ferdinand "Bong Bong" Marcos truly does take after his mother. "Marcos Jr must
be suffering from premature senility. By supporting the settlement of the
Marcos estate, he is admitting that there is such an estate and such
ill-gotten wealth has grown to such massive amounts. But for him to say that he
doesn't know where they are and that it's not his family's responsibility to
turn these over for the indemnification of the victims of his family's
dictatorship is such a blatant lie and yet another insult against the victims
and their families," he said.

Beltran echoed the query of fellow Anakapawis solon Rafael Mariano in asking
where the assets are. "Massive figures are being mentioned, along with facts
regarding the shares and stocks the Marcoses have brought during the years they
were in power. So where's the money? Bong Bong Marcos and perhaps even his
sister Rep. Imee Marcos have knowledge regarding this, and it's an outrage that
they are not telling. The courts should compel the Marcos to speak once and for
all," he said.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that Marcos Jr was being
delusional when he denies his family's responsibility towards the victims of
his father's dictatorship. "He's passing the buck to the Macapagal-Arroyo
administration, and this only strengthens the strong suspicions that the
Marcos family in conniving with the Macapagal-Arroyo administration in keeping
the true location and amount of Marcos ill-gotten wealth under wraps so they
won't have to release the funds to the Marcos victims," he said.

"Pres. Arroyo is not exerting enough political will in going after the Marcos
wealth bit instead in being wishy-washy on the matter. This case has dragged on
for years, and the justice still eludes the victims. Marcos heirs are in the
public arena and none of them have been convicted of the crimes they committed.
Pres. Arroyo along with the Marcoses should also be held responsible for this
unending series of injustices against the victims," he said. #

NR0209: Impeachment raps won't prosper

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 9, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

Pres. Arroyo's allies in Congress won't entertain impeachment raps vs PGMA,
but moves for the president's ouster have a good chance of succeeding

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that on principle, if
impeachment raps against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the House of
Representatives, he would support the move.

"But knowing the composition of the House right now, and where the loyalties
and allegiances of majority of the solons lie, it's highly unlikely that
impeachment raps against the president would prosper.It would not be the first
time that an impeachment complaint against the President Arroyo would be
submitted to Congress, the last time was only two years ago," he said.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that the basis for calling for the
impeachment of President Arroyo have long been established, "But her allies in
Congress and the Senate have turned their eyes and their backs on these
offenses, and many have been aided and abetted these offenses and made them
legal and official," he said. He said that among these offenses were allowing
US troops in the country in an endless series of Balikatan exercises, and
allowing them to fight and patrol alongside the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP). He also said that the string of scandals and controversies
surrounding the corrupt dealings of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo can and should
also he held against the President, as these corrupt dealings could never have
taken place and approved without the executive's imprimatur.

Beltran said that if the chances of an impeachment complaint against Pres.
Arroyo would flounder fail, the chances of the president being booted out of
office via People Power were healthy.

"Pres. Arroyo would never step down on her own volition and her allies will not
let her be impeached; but the Filipino people sickened and disgusted by her
administration are already calling for her ouster. Pres. Arroyo's so-called
revenue-generating measures including the notorious new and increased taxe are
not making her a beloved of the masses. Pres. Arroyo may very well face the
same fate as her predecessor ex-president Joseph Estrada who was ousted via
massive protests," he said.

He said that Sen. Aquilino Pimentel's virtual call for the president's
impeachment was a strong commendation, and strengthens the determination of
political groups and forces to call for President Arroyo's ouster.#

Privileged speech delivered by Rep. Crispin Beltran (Feb8)

Questioning the ADB’s role in the privatization of the country’s power sector

Click here to download the MSWord file

NR0209: Malacanang allies railroading VAT exemption amendment bill

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 9, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

Solon slams Malacanang allies' railroading of amendments to VAT exemption
law; says new VATable services and products will mean heavier economic burdens
for the public

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today expressed vehement condemnation
for what he termed as the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House
leadership's connivance to railroad the bill removing various products and
services from the being exempted from the value-added tax.

Beltran said that the conduct of Malacanang's allies in the House was
"appalling" and should be condemned. "House bill 3705 amending the National
Internal revenue Law, specifically its provisions on the VAT- was filed on
February 7 at the House's Bills and Index Division at 3:30 pm, but on the same
day the bill was approved at the Committee level, a committee report written
up, and the said bill was submitted for 2nd reading deliberations. San ka
nakakakita ng ganyang kagarapal na pagmamaniobra?! The bill wasn't even
included in the order of business."

The veteran labor leader said that Malacanang's allies in the House were
clearly pulling out all the s tops to have the VAT measures passed as soon as
possible. "They're not even pretending to be obeying the House rules! If this
bill is passed, it would be tantamount to committing a most heinous crime
against the Filipino people. This on top of the 12% VAT increase measure
spells disaster for all working people and the poor. But even the sectors
relatively able to cope somewhat with high prices and the new taxes will also
be grievously affected," he said.

The plan to lift VAT exemptions on several sectors will also have a further
negative impact on the poor. For example, lifting the VAT exemption on the sale
or importation of coal, natural gas and petroleum products is projected to push
power rates up by at least P0.74 per kilowatt-hour. Apart from its direct
impact on consumers' energy bills, the expected hike in power rates would also
result in increases in the prices of goods and services as the cost of
production goes up.

The effect of all these measures would be further multiplied by the P2 per liter
across-the-board hike on the specific taxes of petroleum products, which became
effective starting this January.
Shell and Caltex have already warned that the net additional costs to be cause
by the VAT they will automatically pass on to consumers.

In the meantime, Beltran said that scrapping the VAT exemption enjoyed by
medical practitioners would directly hit their patients, especially the
indigent.The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) have already stated that the
12 percent VAT on doctors would be passed on to their patients.

"If the exemption is lifted, doctors will have to pay from 10% to 15% income
tax and an additional 12% VAT. That 12% will be a passed on to patients as
consumer tax ," he said.

He said lifting the tax exemption on the medical profession would be a
"potentially lethal injection" to poor families who will face higher prices
of basic commodities if the bill increasing VAT is signed into law.

Beltran also said that the VAT increase on doctors and medical practioners would
exacerbate the exodus of doctors leaving the country to practice their
profession overseas. He said the exodus of licensed doctors would result into
a 40% decrease in the number of doctors in the country by 2010.
According to reports, at least 800 doctors have taken job offers abroad last
year, with another 1,000 to 1,500 expected to leave this year.#

NR0208: On NPA's opposition to mining

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 8, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

Rep. Beltran says mining firms stealing from the country, apart from
destroying the environment and displacing thousands of rural poor, farmers
and indigenous peoples


Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that he did not find it
surprising that the New People's Army (NPA) is opposed to the full-scale
operations of mining corporations.

"Apart from destroying the environment, dislocating hundreds and thousands of
rural poor, indigenous peoples and peasant communities, mining corporations
are in fact stealing from the country with the aid of the government. It's
full-scale and literal robbery, that's what these mining firms are doing," he
said. "Based on what is publicly known about the NPA, these revolutionaries
stand against the degradation of the environment, the ;plunder of resources,
and attacks against the life and welfare of the masses. All this stand happen
hand-in-hand with mining operations. No wonder the NPA is opposed to full-scale
mining," he said.

Beltran said the Philippines will not benefit in any way in terms of mining
investments, exports and revenues. This he said in the wake of President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's crowing assertions that mining will boost the
economy.

"Contrary to what the administration is saying, there is no potential of
investments since mining transnational corporations (TNCs) usually enter into
co-financing schemes with the government or with local companies, or avail of
loans from local banks aside from multilateral agencies. Government even
assumes co-financing whenever exploration fails. In short, the Philippine
government is the one shelling out multi-millions for these mining
operations," he said.

Beltran said that mining firms are already making a killing in profits through
mere stock speculation. They hedge their bets o the mere potential of mine
sites and make money without actually drilling a hole. But in this case wherein
the firms are mostly into speculative investments, the government is left an
empty bag."

Beltran expressed exasperation with the excitement of mining officials of the
administration over export receipts from a sector that is under a 100% foreign
ownership system, and where mining TNCs are allowed to repatriate their profits
fully.

Export earnings are also cancelled by the huge costs in importation of equipment
and inputs, which foreign mining TNCs also produce. He pointed out that original
investments are loose change in contrast to the superprofits that mining TNCs
repatriate from the economy, as well as the irreparable damage they cost in
social and environmental terms.

"It is highly questionable that the government says it can raise revenues from
the full liberalization of mining when the only policy consistent with
investment attraction is the abolition of production and trade taxes," he said.

Finally, he said that mining liberalization is not the answer to the the
fiscal crisis since taxpayers would still end up paying the country's debt, as
a wide array of incentives is given to mining TNCs.#

NR0208:Solon questions ADB grant to power sector

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 8, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362 Visit geocities.com/ap_news

Solon questions ADB's %1.2 million grant to the Philippines for the
full privatization of the power sector

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today raised a question regarding the
Asian Development Banks' $US 1.2 million grant to the Philippine government
for the restructuring the country's power sector through a technical
assistance (TA) grant approved for US$1.2 million. Beltran questioned the
possible onerous nature of the TA grant, its possible disastrous impact on the
electricity industry in the country and the service it provides to the
public.

"There's already a tangled-up ball of controversies and anomalies over the sale
of the Napocor and the National Transmission Corporation (Transco) that have
yet to be sorted out. The Senate hasn't even gotten through the first layer of
these anomalies, but here we have the ADB and the Macapagal-Arroyo
administration shaking hands over an agreement that will railroad the NPC and
the NTC's sale," he said.

To support its power reform agenda, the GMA government sought the ADB's
assistance to build the capacity of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)
and help speed up the privatization of the Napocor. The TA, financed by the
Japan Special Fund will supposedly help boost investors' confidence by
supposedly enhancing ERC's efficiency, and provide the necessary financial and
technical advice to the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management
Corporation (PSALM) for the privatization of NPC. The government will
contribute $515,000 equivalent toward the TA's total cost of $1.715 million.
ERC and the PSALM will serve as executing agencies for the TA, which will be
carried out over 24 months beginning March 2005.

"Where on earth will the national government get the $515,000 as its
counterpart share in the is suspicious deal? Malacanang continues to crack the
whip and pressure Congress and the Senate into passing its infamous tax bills.
It's quite possible that t he administration will be borrowing the amount
from the ADB and then issuing a promissory note. In the end, all this will
translate into a more excruciatingly weighty foreign debt,' he said.

The TA targets to overhaul the ERC, aiming to "improve its organizational
structure, operational systems and processes, and resource management."
According to the ADB's paper on the TA, the legal and technical competence of
ERC's staff will be strengthened, and a mechanism for proper financial
management will be recommended. The TA will also rationalize and streamline
ERC's regulatory processes and improve the accountability and transparency of
regulation.

The ADB's TA also has a specific agenda for the Power Sector Assets and
Liabilities Management (PSALM).The TA aims try to determine the main reasons
for the limited success in privatization to date and recommend ways to improve
the process. The TA will assist PSALM in evaluating contracts with IPPS,
propose and design credit enhancement schemes, and familiarize PSALM and NPC
personnel with the best international practices of privatization.

"Consumers organizations and anti-monopoly groups point out that the power
sector reform agenda of the ADB and other international financial institutions
such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is aimed towards fully
privatizing the country's electricity industry and extract more superprofits at
the expense of consumers and the national economy," said Beltran. "The ADB and
the World Bank are behind moves to fully privatize the country's power sector.
Their main agenda is to create the biggest possible space for private sector
privatization in the electricity industry. The ADB and the WB impose
conditionalities on all technical and financial assistance it gives to
government such as the Philippines, demanding in exchange for the assistance
greater control over the industries where reforms are being made.
Privatization, Beltran said, equates to higher power rates and poorer services
for the public, as well as massive lay-offs for ERC, DoE and NPC employees.

"Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is in a haste to privatize the NPC allegedly to
preempt a shortage in the supply of electricity in the coming year, but this is
bunk. Luzon's energy capacity can actually supply the archipelago if only the
government would ensure the transmission of power towards the Visayas and
Mindanao. The only long term solution is to nationalize the power industry from
generation to transmission to distribution," he said. "The NPC is liable to
more than P1.37 trillion debts which constitutes the majority of the national
debt burden. Most of these came from the WB, ADB, and the Japan Bank for
International Cooperation (JBIC) - the international creditors continually
pressing for the immediate completion of NPC privatization. The NPC
privatization is one of the major pre-conditions of foreign creditors for them
to continue giving out loans to the national government."

"Even if the NPC is privatized, the government will still absorb its P200
billion debts through PSALM. NPC privatization will unilaterally benefit the
buyers, while subjecting the economy to greater debt and excessively high
power rates."#

NR0208: GMA pitting farmers vs Marcos rights victims

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 8, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

Rep. Beltran to Malacanang: Don't pit farmers vs Marcos rights victims;
amend agrarian reform law according to specifications of peasant organizations
and human rights groups

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that Macapagal-Arroyo
administration should not touch the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL)
without first consulting genuine peasant organizations and hearing the stand of
farmers all over the country regarding the said law, and the situation they
face under the CARL and the government's comprehensive agrarian reform program.

"Filipino farmers denounce the CARL and the CARP for being pro-landlord and
pro-land developer. There is no question that both have the be overhauled and
amended, but the amendments must be made to the specifications of peasant
organizations and the rural poor," he said. "At the onset, as a show of good
faith, the administration should stop its land conversion scheme and suspend
contracts for this in partnership with land developers. Millions of peasants
and their families have been dislocated and driven away from their communities
because of land conversion."

Beltran said it was, however, an attack against the victims of the Marcos
dictatorship seeking justice and indemnification to say that they will only
receive indemnification after the CARL is amended.
It has been stipulated that the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses once
recovered will be utilized for agrarian reform.

"There should be no conflict here.The interest of the farmers must not be
pitted against that of the Marcos victims. Knowing the Macapagal-Arroyo
administration and its machinations, it is aiming that neither the farmers
nor the Marcos victims will be able to receive compensation or indemnification.
We cannot allow this to happen," he said.

"Already there are expressions of apprehension that the Macapagal-Arroyo
administration has already earmarked the Marcos wealth to support its
floundering privatization and debt-payment schemes. Farmers organizations are
wary that not a single centavo will be used for the implementation of
genuine land distribution and the distribution of substantial agricultural and
agrarian subsidies once the Arroyo administration has its hands on the Marcos
wealth," he said.

Beltran said that the greatest obstacle lying in the path of both the farmers
seeking genuine agrarian reform and the Marcos victims' demand for
indemnification was the Macapagal-Arroyo administration's lack of political
will and sincerity to work out true solutions to both problems.

If it were sincere in working out these two important issues of justice and
pro-people reform, the President would've gotten right on the ball and began
the process of crafting solutions long before. It's becoming patently clear
that the only time Malacanang takes stock of these issues is when they crop
up again in the media as a result of national or international developments,"
he said. #

NR0207:Questioning Etta's motives

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 7, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

Is the Marcos compensation bill being watered down to make it more palatable
to Malacanang? -Rep. Beltran

Anakpawis Representative and former political detainee under the Marcos
dictatorship Crispin Beltran today said that it was actually Human Rights
committee chair Akbayan Rep. Etta Rosales who was delaying the passage,
approval and implementation of the human rights compensation bill now pending
in Congress. This he said in relation to reports that since the US Courts have
ruled that they cannot overturn a Philippine Supreme Court ruling forfeiting
$683 million of the Marcos' ill-gotten wealth, and thus the ball to get the
compensation funds released is now in the hands of Congress.

"Rep. Rosales projects herself as a champion of the victims of the Marcos
dictatorship and human rights, but her handling of the Marcos
victims-compensation bill exposes her to be otherwise. She continuous to ignore
the stand and position of human rights organizations and the claimants groups
regarding the bill her committee is pushing for second reading, insisting on
what in her own, narrow-minded view is just and moral," he said.

Beltran said that human rights organizations are already cementing a united
position against Rosales'
House Bill 3315.
"The various organizations of human rights victims of the Marcos dictatorships
have appalled and disillusioned by Rosales, and rightly so," he said.

Beltran accused Rosales of watering down the compensation bill and machinating
to make the provisions of the bill more palatable to Malacanang, regardless of
the how much it comprises the interest of the victims themselves and their plea
for justice and indemnification.

"In the bill, Rep. Roasles is giving President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the
important power and authority to appoint representatives to the human rights
compensation commission that will oversee the release of the compensation
funds. The bill can and should specifically provide for human rights
organizations and keep Malacanang out of it. Rather than give the executive
more power to interfere in the matter, Rosales should echo the stand of the
human rights victims and oppose Malacanang's interference and intervention. "

Beltran said that HB 3315's lines 13-14 of Section 8 states that "No person who
is a claimant or a member of any organization claiming compensation under the
Act shall be appointed to or become a member of the Board. "This provision
practically obliterates all chances that the victims will be compensated, or
that a compensation board will ever be established. This provision disqualifies
any member of SELDA, Task Force Detainees (TFD), FIND, PAHRA, Karapatan or any
other genuine human rights group to be a member of the board. If the decision
of who the members of the board will be will be left to Malacanang, Pres.
Arroyo would most likely appoint a businessman or a representative from some
pseudo- HR group that her minions would put up," he said.

Beltran said that there was already a spreading suspicion among human rights
groups that Rosales is deliberately weakening the victims' voice in the bill in
favor of Malacanang because of some secret deal being forged between herself and
Malacanang. "What this deal is, we can only guess; but it would be safe to say
that it must be related to the apportioning of the Marcos ill-gotten wealth.
The Macapagal-Arroyo administration is so eager and even desperate for funds to
prop up its floundering operations, and the Marcos-ill gotten wealth that should
have long ago been used as indemnification for the victims is clearly being eyed
for this purpose."#

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NR0202:Summon MDB Board to Congress

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 2, 2005

Solon demands Congress summon members of RP-US Mutual Defense Board and hold
them accountable for reports of abuses of US and R P troops during the conduct
of Balikatan exercises

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that Congress should summon
the members of the joint RP-US Mutual Defense Board and give a report on the
Balikatan exercises that took place in the last year, as well as divulge the
MDB's plans for 2005 including the upcoming series of exercises.

The MDB is composed of some 40 members from the US Embassy, the Department of
National Defense and the Department of Foreign Affairs. Beltran said that these
members should be made known to the public and thus be held accountable for all
reports of abuses on the part of US troops and RP forces during the conduct
of the Balikatan exercises.

"Who exactly is overseeing the workings of the MDB and why is it they US
military is clearly calling the shots in the planning and execution of plans
of the MDB? I am under the impression that the Philippine government hasgiven
free reign to the MDB when it comes to the deployment of US troops alongside
the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in all areas in the country, allowing
them to conduct exercises wherever its suits their agenda ," he said.

"The series of Balikatan exercises in the last two years have not been conducted
random or without clear politico-military motives that are also connected to the
US' economic plans in the country. The Macapagal-Arroyo administration has not
released any comprehensive report detailing the developments in the Balikatan,
and certainly there has been no established committee or group monitoring the
actions of US troops and their impact on civilian residents and communities,"
he said.

"There has been no response whatsoever to the assertions and findings of human
rights organizations and church groups in Mindanao, for instance, regarding the
human rights violations perpetrated by US soldiers and AFP members in the course
of the conduct of the Balikatan exercises," he insisted.

Beltran said that he found it an outrage that the Macapagal-Arroyo
administration is clearly determined to make the presence of US troops in the
country a permanent thing.

"The continuation of US-RP Balikatan exercises remain a clear-cut violation of
the country's sovereignty and patrimony laws. There is no justifying the
presence of foreign troops on Philippine territory, and certainly the supposed
scourge of terrorism is not an excuse that washes. For years the US military
forces remained in the Philippines until they were booted out in 1991, but the
they did nothing to help improve the fighting or technical capabilities of
the AFP. The US troops are in the country to secure the US government's own
mercenary and self-serving political, economic and military agenda. Their very
presence is a violation of the Constitution." #

NR0202: No to Cha cha

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 2, 2005


Rep. Beltran slams moves to amend Constitution, says proponents committing
treason and aiding in the economic destruction of the country

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the House of
Representatives' moves to amend the 1987 Constitution will only exacerbate the
already mounting political tension in the country that's a direct result of
the continuously worsening economic crisis.

"The Macapagal-Arroyo administration and its allies in Congress are playing with
fire by seeking to amend the Charter at this juncture. There is no doubt in any
one's mind that the motives behind the campaign to monkey with the Charter is
in aid of foreign investors and the multilateral finance agencies such as the
IMF and the ADB's demand to remove all remaining legal barriers and
restrictions to complete economic liberalization. In short, Malacanang and its
allies want to destroy all protective restrictions remaining and assist foreign
investors in their whole-hog plunder of the country's resources."

"What will Malacanang and its allies get in return for performing this
perfidious task? Longer perpetuation in power, for one; and for another, a
greater share in the economic spoils of the country. They want to strip the
country dry," he said. Already, Beltran said, the Supreme Court has ruled in
finality regarding the 'legality" of the Mining Act. "What's next? The removal
of the 60-40 balance between Filipino and foreign ownership of sensitive
businesses in the major line industries of the country. The proponents of the
Cha-cha might as well cut the Filipino flag to shreds as they're surrendering
all economic patrimony and territorial sovereignty to outsiders."

The veteran labor leader said that the motives behind the Charter amendments
were treasonous in nature. "This is worse than all the tax measures combined!
Not only is there no genuine consultation regarding this matter, the impact on
the economic welfare and political well-being of all Filipinos will be
cataclysmic. Removing all legal restrictions on the economy to accommodate the
demands of big foreign and local business will leave the Filipino people at the
complete mercy of these business vultures. At this juncture in the country's
history when the incumbent president is desperate to accumulate funds for her
floundering government, the Cha cha is akin to a big business transaction --
and the Philippines' entire wealth of natural resources and manpower are being
used as collateral."

Beltran said that Anakpawis solons as well as the solons of Bayan Muna and
Gabriela Women's Party will oppose all proposed amendments to the Constitution
that will make it possible for foreign big business to take-over major
industries and services such as health and media."Neither will we condone the
full return of US military forces in the country and the re-establishment of
their bases. This is an almost certain thing if the Constitution is amended
because US investors will demand the deployment of US troops in the areas
where they have investments." #

NR0201: On the GNP growth

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release February 1, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

GNP growth not felt by Filipinos; GMA government's ingratitude to OFWs who
contribute much to national revenues appalling - Rep. Beltran

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the Macapagal-Arroyo
government's delight over the 6.1 percent growth of the country's gross national
product (GNP) which included the remittance of overseas Filipino workers was
not shared by most Filipinos.

"How can Filipinos share the same happiness President Arroyo is feeling over the
GNP growth when they did not experience the impact of this supposed
improvement in the economy? This is a clear case wherein the already
infinitesimal improvements in the economy do not translate to improved
conditions for the populace. Who benefited from this improvement? Certainly
not the poor and working people," he said.

"The government has done nothing but worsen the burdens of Filipinos. This
latest plot to extract more taxes from the poor and working people via a 12
percent VAT shows just how indifferent the government is to the plight of its
constituency."

Beltran also expressed incredulity over the Arroyo admnistration's lack of
gratitude to the country's migrant workers. "Pres. Arroyo and her supposed team
of economic advisers and experts have no right to say that t he GNP growth was a
result of their efforts. A large fraction of the increase in the country's GNP
was due to the remittances of OFWs - working-class Filipinos who struggle
long and hard, sacrificing themselves and their families just so they can earn
money to send back home. Despite the OFWs' sacrifices and their massive
contribution to keeping the economy afloat, however, the Macapagal-Arroyo
administration has been weak in defending the welfare of OFWs against the
unfair labor and employment practices of the host government and employers,"
he said.

Case in point, Beltran said, was the weak stand of the Arroyo government
regarding the changes in employment policies in Japan. He said that the Arroyo
government stood by and nodded even as the Japanese government changed its laws
on immigration and employment, attacking the job security and even safety of
thousands of Filipino performing artists in Japan.

"The Arroyo administration does nothing to protect OFWs, but works overtime to
secure their remittances. Essentially, the government is being sustained on
the blood money of OFWs, while it lives off the exploitation of workers and
farmers locally," he said.

"Filipinos feel nothing and benefit nothing from the supposed developments or
positive changes in the economy . Wages remain pegged to the floor,
employment at an all-time low, and the costs of living continues to reach for
the sky. The government is relying more and more on the remittances of OFWs as
it cannot provide decent, sustainable and secure employment locally. Whatever
improvements the economy has gone through in recent months was enjoyed only by
local big businesses, foreign investors, and their partners in the local land
and business elite," he concluded.#