NR0427: The First Gentleman and jueteng

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 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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Every major corruption scandal seems to involve the First Gentleman; investigations regarding jueteng involvement should not be dismissed

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that allegations against First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and Pampanga Rep. presidential son Mikey Arroyo should be thoroughly investigated and not immediately dismissed as mere rumors or black propaganda. Beltran said that the allegations that the members of the First Family were the heads of jueteng syndicates in the country were serious.

"It seems that every time there's a major scandal involving huge sums of money pocketed or accumulated through corruption, shady schemes and under-the-table negotiations, the name of the First Gentleman is inevitably mentioned," he said.

"It's the height of irony that the First Gentleman was able to achieve his current position of power riding on the crest of protests against the illegal numbers games jueteng and the involvement of government top officials, but now he also stands accused of being a gambling lord."

The veteran labor leader said that if the First Gentleman and Rep. Arroyo have nothing to hide, then they will have no reason to fear investigations.

"The First Gentleman and Rep. Arroyo shouldn't be defended and protected by Malacanang and President Gloria without first allowing investigations to take place. None of the scandals involving the First gentleman have been allowed to come completely to light, and it's without a doubt because Malacanang has put its foot down against any close inquiries into his business affairs and involvements. Mike Arroyo may not be an elected public official, but he still nonetheless holds a position of power and influence that he has constantly been accused of abusing and exploiting to amass ill-gotten wealth."

He also said that the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership led by newly assigned director Alfredo Lumibao should be compelled to reveal what they know regarding the network of jueteng operations in the country."Jueteng has become one of the biggest income-generating rackets in the country, and for all the government's talk about putting a stop to its operations, jueteng continues to proliferate because the gambling network is run and protected by bigshots in the political circles as well as the police institutions," he said.

"The supposed anti-jueteng campaign of the Macapagal-Arroyo government since it succeeded the Estrada administration has fallen flat on its face, and its long overdue to get to the roots of why jueteng continues to proliferate. If Malacanang was sincere in this fight against illegal gambling, it will sanction investigations into the supposed involvement of members of the First Family in these operations. "#

NR0427: Nix Maynilad loan to world bank

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 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
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

Govt shouldn't guarantee Maynilad's loan application
to the World Bank; Maynilad should be nationalized

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today expressed strong opposition to any and all plans of the government to be the guarantor of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System's $125 million loan for a Maynilad Water Services Inc. project and have it included in the World Banks' country assistance strategy.

According to reports, the MWSS through its administrator Orlando Hondrade wrote a letter to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), seeking the government's help in securing a multi-million dollar loan for Maynilad's Revenue Generation and Service Improvement Projects (RGSIP) in the World Bank's CAS.

In a letter dated January 17, 2005, the MWSS proposed only $50 million for Maynilad's RGSIP. Of the total $125 million, the MWSS wants $100 million, the MWSS wants $100 million to be covered by the World Bank with the remaining $25 million to be sourced from Maynilad as local counterpart. The MWSS is asking the government to sponsor the loan, as there are reportedly no more creditors willing to lend money to Maynilad.

The letter also stated that the proposed RGSIP is part of Maynilad's five-year capital expenditure program.

"If the Maynilad is a losing business venture, why should the national government back its bids for loans? This is unsound, illogical business sense. Instead of supporting Maynilad as a guarantor, the national government should buy out Maynilad and take over its operations and have the water industry nationalized," he said. "This way, the business considerations and the financial technicalities will not take precedence over what should essentially be an industry devoted to public service and not for private profit."

Also according to reports, various business entities are vying to acquire Maynilad: among the m the investment bank ING Barings Group, the Ayala group, the International Finance Corp ( the World Bank's investment arm) and DMCI holdings.

Beltran said that the MWSS and the Maynilad should be strongly chided for even making such a proposal that the the government be a guarantor. "After the MWSS was sold in 1998, the proponents of privatization and the management of the MWSS were arrogant in proclaiming the virtues of privatization, even going so far as to say that water services will becoming more efficient and affordable for t he public. Now, less than a decade later, it's become obvious that privatization has only downgraded services - - the public's welfare and need for safe, potable, accessible and affordable water has been sacrificed at the altar of Maynilad's greed for higher profit."

Finally, Beltran said that securing another loan from the WB means bigger debts for the country. "Inevitably, the WB will impose humongous interest rates on the loan, and the Filipino people will again be made to shoulder the ever-ballooning foreign debt." #

NR0427:Congress snubs P125 bill, disregards Labor Day demands

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 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
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

Congress' indifference and refusal to deliberate on P125 wage hike bill an insult and attack against workers - Rep. Beltran

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran joined House chairman of the Committee on Labor Representative Roseller Barinaga and representatives of Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party in a presscon this morning in Congress to express their deep disappointment and disgust over the House leadership's deliberate refusal to begin plenary debates on HB 345, or the bill legislating a P125 across-the-board wage increase for all workers nationwide.

Beltran said that the House leadership's refusal to table the aforementioned bill was a grave insult and attack against workers all over the country. "Next Sunday is International Labor Day, but Congress has not even begun to hear the sponsorship speeches on the wage hike bill. Speaker Jose de Venecia and Majority Floor Leader Prospero Nograles have yet again reneged on their promise that the House will begin deliberations on HB 345 as soon as the debates on the value-added tax bills were concluded. The deliberate suspension and consequent adjournment of the session last night means is the insulting response of Congress to the demands of workers that the wage hike bill be tackled before Labor Day," he said. Beltran said that it was not possible to deliberate on the wage hike bill today given the visit of the Chinese president.

"It's an outrage that the House rolls out the red carpet and extends itself to welcome visiting foreign dignitaries, but ignores the pleas of Filipino workers and even bans them from expressing their sentiments within the halls of Congress," he said. "

In the meantime, the veteran labor leader said that Malacanang's offer of a wage increase as a gift for workers on Labor Day better be a national legislated wage increase and not an Emergency Cost of Living Allowance (ECOLA) and measly increases through the regional tripartite wages and productivity boards.

"Wage hikes through wage boards or ECOLA are essentially worthless, and they're meant to pacify workers and stay their outrage over the government's refusal to order an actual, substantial wage increase. Workers are calling for a nationwide legislated wage increase that will to some measure bridge the ever-expanding gap between labor's wages and the daily cost of living now pegged over P700 a day a family of six. The real value of the P250 minimum wage in NCR is just P234.44. With the great
disparity between wages and cost of living, it's no short of a miracle that workers and their families still survive the increasing rates of public utility services such as electricity and water, prices of basic goods and other services," he said.

"Malacanang s hould stop beating around the bush and order prioritize an across-the-board wage hike for all workers," he said.

Finally, Beltran said that workers remain steadfast against filing a wage hike petition to the regional wage boards since wage boards are oriented towards weakening labor's demand for higher wages across-the-board. Beltran said that he and other pro-labor, pro-P125 legislators will join the May 1 rallies.He said that workers from all labor unions all over the countrysupport H B 345 and the P125 wage hike campaign.

He said that workers are all set for the major mobilization on Labor Day. Workers and
allied organizations of Kilusang Mayo, Anakpawis, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) and other other militant groups will converge at various points in Manila and will hold a protest program at Liwasang Bonifacio.#

NR0427:PAGCOR's high rollers

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 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
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

Salaries of Pagcor retainers, consultants should go to barangay health workers; gambling industry steeped in corruption

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today expressed indignation over the expose made by Senator Jinggoy Estrada that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) paid the Hyatt Marina Hotel Casino some P489 in rent money for the first 12 months of its operations, as well as mainting 116 consultants, 103 retainers and various other directors in exclusive clubs.

"It's highly unconscionable that the PAGCOR maintains an army of consultants and legal experts when other government agencies that perform ser vices and functions crucial to public service are so understaffed," he said. "The funds that go into the salaries of these consultants and retainers should be allotted for the increases in allowances of, for instance, barangay health workers or public school teachers in the far-flung regions and provinces," he said.

Beltran said that he voted against the extension of the Napocor franchise when the bill was deliberated over in Congress as one of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration's revenue generation measures.

"The gambling industry is in truth a extremely effective in generating revenues, but where exactly do these revenues go and how much does the general public benefit from them?," he said. "It's apparent that for all the PAGCOR's projections that it gives millions in donations to socio-civic projects of the government and contributes to charities, billions more are pocketed by its various officials and their business partners in the private sector. The PAGCOR is a government institution where corruption is inherent and undeniable," he said.

The veteran labor leader said that he was in principle against big-time gambling as a revenue generating measure for a government. "The tie-ups and links between the government officials running the PAGCOR and its gambling facilities and their partners in the private sector cannot remain untainted by corruption. It's inevitable that million-peso deals are brokered between them and most of it is taxpayers' funds." #

NR0426:AFP's routine operations in Samar

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 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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AFPs' 'routine operations' in Samar include aerial bombardments
and ground attacks against civilians

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today called attention anew to the worsening human rights situation in Samar, citing reports from members of the media in the island that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continue to conduct operations that directly put civilians in serious jeopardy. He demanded that Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the AFP's commander in chief acknowledge and take responsibility for the violations. "Even without a national ID system and an anti-terror law, military forces are running amok and violating civil and human rights with impunity," he said. "This situation can only worsen with these two aforementioned draconian measures are in place."

According to reports aired over DyDW (Radyo Diwa)last April 22, there were constant bombardments from AFP helicopters apart from ground attacks from the military at the boundary of Brgys Gibatangan in Laoang and Palmera of Pambujan towns, in Northern Samar allegedly by the elements of the 63rd IB headed by Col Manuelito Usi. It was learned that the military launched a simultaneous aerial and ground attack, sending the residents, most of whom were peasants, running for their lives. The same attacks were reported by journalists Jasmin Bonifacio and anchorperson Jun Estoya in the radio program "Tambulig (Helping Out)" the same day.

Beltran also cited reports from human rights groups in Northern Samar that April 16 and 17, aerial bombings were undertaken by military men in the upland villages of the provincial capital of the province, in Catarman town. The damages to peasant communities however, have yet to be fully determined.

"These attacks against civilian life and proprety are not being reported in the national media. And it's clear that the AFP in Samar under the command of Brig Gen Jovito Palparan are behind these operations," he said. "Only last March 5, the new 8th ID commanding officer Palparan declared in at the interview with local media in that he will "end all. Since that declaration, there have been a series of attacks against leaders and members of progressive party-lists and multisectoral organizations."

As early as February 20, Col Manuelito Usi had already threatened Bayan Muna members on air in the military-run radio program The Innovator (Hot FM-Catarman) that they would put up a military encampment in front of the BM provincial office in Catarman. He also vilified Bayan Muna member Atty Alfonso Cinco, and the Rev Fr Walter Corbito and Rev Fr Fernando Bugtong, both members of Promotion of Church Peoples' Response-Northern Samar (PCPR-NS) during the same radio program.

On March 6, more than 30 soldiers in full battle gear and an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) positioned themselves in front of the BM provincial office located in Sitio Bukhasan, Brgy Cawayan, Catarman, Northern Samar. On the same day, armed men riding motorcycles threw six Molotov bombs, of which five (5) exploded, at the BM-NS office, injuring Anakbayan member Oscar Turla, Jr (he suffered first degree burns in the face). The police discovered that the wick used for the bombs were made of a military newspaper.

In the meantime, Major Neneveigh Alcovindas of the 34th Civil Relations Service of the 8th Civil Affairs Unit (CRS-CAU, AFP) has also been quoted as saying over the military radio program that such incidents were only part of their "routine security operations" in reference to the total counter-insurgency procedures.

"This is what the AFP refers to 'routine operations?!' Hundreds of civilians are being terrorized, frightened out of their wits and forced to flee their homes, and the military has ceased to show even the slightest respect for civil and human rights. The AFP's failure to strategically defeat the New People's Army (NPA) has made the AFP an even more violet, vicious and mercenary force. The AFP mercenaries are attacking civilians and hamletting communities in the twisted hope that this will weaken the NPA," he said. "These are all part of Operation Plan Kalinaw Visayas (or "Peace in the Visayas"), the anti-insurgency campaign plan being implemented by the AFP 8th Infantry Division, directly under the Central Command (CENTCOM) based in Lapu-lapu City, Cebu. Palparan earlier declared that while they intend to address the three (3) most active NPA-infested" areas in Samar island, Leyte province is also considered a priority.#

NR0425:Civil disobedience against high electricity rates

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 25, 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

Street protests and other acts of civil disobedience against high electricity rates and Napocor privatization well justified

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that unless it stops Napocor and other electricity firms from jacking their rates, the Macapagal-Arroyo administration is facing a major political uprising this year and President Arroyo risks being ousted from office via another widely popular people's uprising. This he said in the wake of reports that electricity rates will increase a total of P1.04/kwh in the coming weeks as the Napocor jacks its rates.

"This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. Malacanang is responding coldly to the justified demands of the public for wage and salary increases; but supports the moves of power companies for rate increases," he said. "The President has failed her mandate to protect the Filipino people and uplift their economic conditions and secure a better life for the general constituency. Her ratings have plummeted and hit the floor because of the new tax measures, the successive oil price hikes and her hardline position against wage and salary increases, and they will continue to sink."

Beltran said that without a substantial wage increase of a minimum of P125 across-the-board for all workers and P3,000 for all government employees, any increase in electricity rates will have a brutal impact. "Consumers and the rest of the poor and working people can dig no deeper into their pockets to pay for higher rates. It's been five years since the last genuine wage adjustment, but costs of living have steadily gone up on a monthly basis. Does Pres. Arroyo want Filipinos to turn to a life of crime just so they can get money to pay for high electricity rates on top of other rising household expenses?"

"Consumers are already angry and agitated against the high rates, and they're well aware that it's the Electric Power Industry Reform Act or EPIRA law that's giving the legal basis for the increases. The main call is against the sale of the Napocor and the privatization of the electric and power industry." Beltran said that the mumbo-jumbo and other technical explanations of the Napocor, Meralco, the IPPs and the bureacurats in the Macapagal-Arroyo administration's energy and finance departments do not in any way soften the blow against consumers or make the rate increases more acceptable.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker called on fellow solons to co-author and support HB 2531 which repeals EPIRA and stops the sale and privatization of Napocor and the National Transmission Corporation or Transco. Four years after the passage of EPIRA, consumers remain at the mercy of the local electricity monopolies, their independent power producers, and foreign IPPs. Consumers are burdened with various anomalous charges automatically passed on to end-users by IPPs through the Napocor and distributors like Meralco.

"President Arroyo and the electricity companies can count on consumer uprisings, street protests and other acts of civil disobedience against the electricity rate hikes. Majority of Filipinos do not have a single centavo to spare for this increase in rates. This tact of jacking rates to hasten and justify privatization of the Napocor will without a doubt backfire on the administration, and investors will all the question the soundness of investing in Napocor and the Philippines because of the strong political turbulence that will erupt in the coming days and weeks against these rate hikes. Many Filipinos will not allow their electricity supplies cut off. It's unjust that what should essentially a social service the government is duty-bound to provide is a profit venture that's now killing dependent consumers."#

NR0425:Draconian laws aim to break walls of resistance

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 25, 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 administration's fast-tracking of Natl ID system, anti-terror law aims to attack wall of public resistance to OPHs, high electricity rates, new taxes etc

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today warned of a looming "political crackdown" to be instigated by the hardliners and militarists within the Macapagal-Arroyo administration, and the primary targets will include, apart from outright critics and members of progressive and militant people's organizations, include civil libertarians and advocates against corruption in the bureaucracy.

"There's no trial balloon here - the very idea of a national ID system is already a sign of intensified political repression. We have even yet to get a glimpse of the contents of EO 420, but it's certain that its contents will strike fear in the eharst of civil libertarians and human rights advocates. In the following Already, the release of the CD "Knowing the Enemy" revealed the blue print for a legalized crackdown against political dissidents and activists. This EO is another weapon in the administration's armory against those who oppose its corruption and political depravity."

"Before the Macapagal-Arroyo government can continue to impose and implement the prescriptions for economic reforms the foreign creditors are making, the administration is forced to contend with the strong wall of opposition of political critics. The administration sees the passage and implementation of such draconian measures as a national ID system and an anti-terror bill as weapons against justified civilian dissent," he said.

"Neither the national ID system or the other so-called counter-terror measures of the admnistration can be disguised as steps that will protect the citizenry. These draconian measures directly aim to curtail civil rights and break down the wall of public and mass resistance to additional regressive taxes , the oil price hikes, the increasing electricity and water rates, and the over-all deterioration of the economic welfare of majority of Filipinos."

The veteran labor leader said that the leadership and top officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) should be compelled to reveal their targets among the personalities of the legal mass movement and leftist groups. He said that that the AFP and the PNP are working in close coordination with anti-communist and vigilante groups in putting up streamers vilifying and demonizing leaders of progressive party-lists. Only this last week, around 40 streamers with wordings "Crispin Beltran, Demonyo sa Senado", "Crispin Beltran, kongresmang Anak Puta" and the like have been taken down by members of Anakpawis from over-passes, bus terminals, and electricity posts in makati, Ortigas, Pasig, Mandaluyong and Quezon City. Similar streamers attacking Bayan Muna Satur Ocampo have also been found.

"The leaders and members of progressive party-lists and mass organizations linked to the Left are the most active and fearless critics of the Arroyo government's twisted economic programs and measures, and they're the main target of attacks of the administration's authoritarian attacks," he said.

In the meantime,Beltran made the prediction that Pres. Arroyo will also release an executive order legitimizing the anti-terrorism law. He said that Pres. Arroyo and her advisers including those from the National Security Council and the US government's anti-terror experts have put together a plan to break the Gordian Knot of legislative and judicial blocks to the anti-terrorism measures. "This plan entails Pres. Arroyo's release of a series of executive orders that will directly bypass congressional authority. Already, the EO on the national ID system has been released. On its heels will come an EO on anti-terrorism, and this EO will legitimize and legalize the prosecution and even perhaps neutralization of the government's political targets."#

NR0421:Why all the secrecy over the Natl ID?

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 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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Why is Malacanang keeping its executive order on the National ID system under wraps?

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that Representatives and Senators alike should expose strong opposition to Malacanang's moves to impose a national ID system via the passage of an executive order. Beltran said that President Arroyo is guilty of gross abuse of executive authority.

"The President is exploiting her powers as the highest executive of the land and bypassing the powers of the legislative and judicial branches of government by passing an infamous EO that stands to further attack the already feeble front of human rights and civil rights in the country," he said.

"Creating a national ID system via a secret EO just goes to prove that the ID system has shady intents - that of curtailing civil liberties and democratic rights. It is dead certain that this EO has very contentious and infamous contents and provisions that will not survive the critique and opposition of human rights advocates, and this is why Malacanang is keeping it under close wraps," he added.

"Why all the secrecy? Why the defensive stance? If this is a measure that is genuinely meant for the public good and the protection of the Filipino people against terrorism, Malacanang would be more transparent and welcome the debate regarding the workings of the ID system," he said.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker that said that knowing the increasingly fascist character of the administration and its defense, intelligence and other security agencies, the national ID system that Malacanang has in mind will be a weapon against the admnistration's political critics and members of the progressive movement. "This ID system Malacanang is cooking up has all the makings of being a serious attack against the public interest and thelegal rights of individuals," he said.

"This ID system, without a doubt, will be a deadly addition to the already brutal arsenal of weapons the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is using against legitimate people's organizations and progressive party-lists such as Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party," he said. "This is not an anti-terrorism scheme - it's a weapon against civilians and activists vocal and activue in their criticism against the Macapagal-Arroyo govenrment's increasing militarism and attacks against the economic welfare of the Filipino people," he said.#

NR0421 :Yes to wage hike, no to fare hike

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 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

Countdown to Labor Day begins; Congress should deliberate
and pass P125 wage hike bill by May 1st

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that Malacanang's hints regarding a wage hike coupled with a fare hike is an insult to workers and the public. "A substantial, across-the-board wage increase that isn't going to be passed through the notorious regional wage boards is very welcome; but a fare hike is most certainly not," he said.

"This is a no-win situation for workers and the rest of the public. Any wage increase that is less than P125 a day will mean very little given that oil prices continue to rise, pulling in their wake the prices of basic commodities and rates of social services including transportation. Pres. Arroyo should order both Houses of Congress to immediately legislate a P125 across-the-board wage increase before May 1, and put is foot down against any new oil price hike," he said.

"The major transport groups and consumer formations are not angling for a fare hike - primary among their demands is the junking of the oil deregulation law and the buy-back of Petron. These are demands Malacanang can easily meet if only it will assert its will in favor of consumers and the public good. We have all seen what Pres. Arroyo is capable of when she pushes hard enough: she has alternately bullied and cajoled the senate and congress into railroading her tax measures within the shortest possible time," he said.

Beltran urged House Speaker Jose de Venecia and House Majority Floor Leader Prospero Nograles to immediately table HB 345 or the bill legislating a P125 across-the-board wage hike on the next session day, April 25. "There's less than two weeks to May 1st, and workers are agitating for much needed economic relief. Congress has bypassed the P125 wage hike bill for the longest time, putting it on the backburner. Speaker de Venecia should listen to the clamor of the nation's laborers and have the House approve the P125 wage hike bill at the soonest possible time," he said.

Beltran said that last week's transport strike was merely the icing on the bitter cake labor and transport groups want to feed the administration. "Bigger protests are up ahead and they're all directed against the administration's regressive tax and other economic measures. Social conflict is inevitable because Malacanang and its allies are pushing the Filipino people against the wall. This Labor Day will witness one of the biggest anti-GMA protests this year . The administration should not be surprised and should even expect this - it has done very little or even nothing to alleviate the people's constantly worsening poverty," he said. #

NR0421:Beltran files bill f or Petron buy-back

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 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

Rep. Beltran files House Bill 4206 enabling GMA government to buy back Petron

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today filed a bill buying back Petron, saying that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has no other choice but to support moves for the full nationalization of the oil industry starting with the buy-back of shares from Saudi Aram Co and the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law. Along with House Bill 1063 which junks oil deregulation, HB 4206 seeks to break the cartel created by the big transnational companies such as Petron, Shell and Caltex.

"It aims to give the government a bigger role in the downstream oil industry and have a greater participation in determining the market forces. Additional to such aims, the bill seeks to address the continuous increase of oil prices by paralyzing the free hands of oil companies in increasing oil prices at their whims and caprices which became very obvious during a public hearing conducted by the House Committee on Energy," he said.

Beltran said that Pres. Arroyo should immediately instruct the Department of Energy (DOE) to reverse the privatization of all government agencies related to energy, deregulation of the power and energy industry and reduction of dependency on oil-fired plants.

Consistent to the oil deregulation law RA 7638, the first privatization effort in the energy sector after the passage of the said law was the selling of the Philippine National Oil Corporation's 40 percent equity in Petron Corporation to Arab-American Oil Corporation (ARAMCO). At that same period of time, the other 20 percent of Petron's equity was sold to the public through an initial public offering making the Philippine government as represented by the PNOC a minority in the country's leading oil company.

Beltran said that since Petron Corporation is one of the three main players in the Philippine downstream oil industry, it is very vital to the national economy."It's one of the country's largest oil refining and marketing company. It captures 35 percent of the local oil market. At present, it is the only oil company in the country that has the full capacity to refine crude oil and produce the different end products that are finally used in the industries and daily human activities. All efforts must be made to recover Petron and place it under a nationalization program."

Historically, Petron was created by the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) in 1973, the same year PNOC was created, as a reaction to the oil crisis in the 1960s. Initially, its main function is to become the marketing arm of the PNOC which refines the crude oil.

"The motives behind the establishment and initial running of Petron is backed by the idea that the government should do something to prevent cartelization and monopolization of the downstream oil industry. The birth of Petron was designed to compete with the existing monopolistic control of Shell and Caltex in the oil industry during that time. The government oil company was setup to battle the continuous increase in oil prices brought by the global oil crisis of the mid 20th century," he said.

In the meantime, Beltran said that what remains to be the most decisive step to date to stop the oil companies from jacking their prices at the slightest available excuse is the to junk oil deregulation. "This infamous law has resulted to tremendously destructive increases in oil prices which affect the economic well-being of every Filipino household," he said.

Since 1998, the year of the passage of the Oil Deregulation Law, gasoline and diesel prices increased by more than 130% and 230% respectively. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), the commonly used household fuel, also experienced a remarkable increased by at least135%. It is also notable that prior to deregulation, a peso rollback in oil prices frequently occur while after 1998 oil price rollback happens very rarely and if ever there is one, oil prices decrease by not more than 50 centavos.

Ibon Foundation reported that in year 2003, oil corporations have overpriced their products by at least 91 centavos per liter. "It is no wonder why oil companies such as Petron, Shell and Caltex ranked fourth, fifth and seventh in the The Philippines Top 500 Corporation in 2003. The overpricing of their products have resulted to the multi-billion peso superprofits they have acquired from the bed-ridden economic condition of the Filipino families," Beltran concluded.#

NR0420:GMA should buy back Petron shares

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 20, 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 challenges Pres. Arroyo to release an executive order buying out Saudi Aram Co's shares in Petron; prioritize HB 1063 or the law junking oil deregulation

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's endorsement of the products and the company itself of Petron should be taken one step further. "Instead of just urging the public to patronize Petron and to buy their gasoline and other petroleum products from the said company, Pres. Arroyo should facilitate moves to buy back majority shares in the said company from Saudi AramCo, and endorse to the Senate and Congress the immediate repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law, " he said.

He challenged Pres. Arroyo to prioritize HB 1065, or the bill repealing oil deregulation. The bill is authored by Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party solons.

The veteran labor leader said that Pres. Arroyo's declaration that the public should buy Petron products was an outright statement against Shell and Caltex, the two main competitors of Petron. "The government should then pour its complete support behind Petron and buy out the said company from Saudi AramCo. This would be a very decisive step in controlling a large section of the oil industry, and getting a grip on the unruly and exploitative pricing mechanism of the oil cartel which includes Petron," he said.

Beltran said that nationalization is the genuine alternative to oil deregulation. "Nationalization can correct this set-up by reversing the "depoliticized" price setting and having instead a regulated pricing mechanism. "Nationalization takes cognizance of the need to make petroleum products affordable. It becomes feasible therefore to institute cross-subsidies, such as the pump prices of socially sensitive products like diesel, kerosene and LPG are subsidized," he said.

Finally, Beltran said that President Arroyo does not need any emergency powers to solve the ever-worsening oil and energy crisis. He said giving Pres. Arroyo emergency powers would well lead her to further abuse her authority.

"The powers she possesses right now as the highest executive in the land are more than enough to settle and settle with finality the country's oil problems. The first step would be to hasten the deliberations and passage of a law junking oil deregulation and facilitating the nationalization of the country's oil industry," he said.

"Since she is already very fond of issuing executive orders, and as there is already a state of emergency when it comes to the high prices pf petroleum, Pres. Arroyo should issue an EO declaring the government's intent to buy back Petron, and eventually revoke oil deregulation." #

NR0419:Church should oppose tax measures

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 19, 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


Catholic Church leaders and leaders of other religious affiliations should speak out against new tax measures - Rep. Beltran

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that all Catholics and members of other religious denominations should stand against the Macapagal-Arroyo administration's latest slew of tax measures, including the value-added tax (VAT). "The government is turning against even the religious institutions and eyeing their assets while at the same time it's throwing lifelines and tax holidays to multinational and transnational corporations in the country," he said.

Beltran said that the Catholic church leadership and other leaders of religious groups and formations should speak out against the tax measures because they're victimizing Filipinos. He said that it was the government's indifference to the people's ever-worsening poverty that was pushing more and more Filipinos into lives of crime and degradation. "Who else do we have to blame for the steady and steep deterioration of morals and more important the quality of life of majority of Filipinos? If the government cannot provide employment, living wages, affordable health care and education, it's pushing its own constituencies to take desperate acts of crime," he said.

"The Church should speak out against this. More that just saving souls, the Church should actively advocate for saving the health and physical wellbeing of its flock which are being severely undermined by poverty," he said.

He said that the Church should not accept donations from big business groups and entities whom they know to be notorious tax evaders. "The Church should also speak out against tax evasion, but this massive theft is being shouldered by ordinary tax payers," he said.

The veteran labor leader said that many unscrupulous businessmen and corporation give huge sums to the Church and its charitable institutions not because they were generous and pious, "But because because they're using these donations as a means to get more tax discounts. Gifts to charity and the Church are generally non-taxable. It's yet another ruse for these big businesses to cut down on their tax payments," he said.

Finally, Beltran said that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) mmissioner Guillermo Parayno were following a very a flawed and twisted blueprint of tax collection. In order to lure foreign capital and investments, the government has offered various privileges such as tax holidays, duty free and tax free importation, zero tarrification and other fiscal perks and incentives. Revenue collections have also dropped from 16.9% in 1996 to 12.3% in 2003. Aside from the revenue shortfalls, these deregulation, liberalization and privatization programs have also caused the deaths of our local industries. But instead of subjecting these policies to review, the administration is revising other investment laws to make them more attractive to foreign investors. #

Data on wages

Click here to download the PDF file of Labor Dispatch Volume 2 Issue Number 1, Official newsletter of the Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research, Inc., On the History and Impact of Wage Setting in the Philippines.

Privileged speech on Transport Strike

On the Succesful National Transport Strike Initiated by Different Transport Groups in the Country
Privileged Speech of Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran, April 18, 2005


Mr. Speaker, dear colleagues, this representation rises on a matter of personal and collective privilege.

Mr. Speaker, this morning and the entire day the country witnessed a nationwide strike initiated by the whole transport sector. The Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) along with other transport groups effected a successful transport paralysis.

In the National Capital Region alone, at least 14 major routes and 40 secondary routes were almost clear of public vehicles. Despite threats from the Philippine National Police and the Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board, drivers of jeepneys, taxis, tricycles, pedicabs and trucks continued their protest and massed up this morning in Cubao, Monumento, Novaliches, Alabang, Port Area, Kalayaan Avenue, Taytay, Angono and Baclaran.

The same protest actions were launched happened in Baguio City, Cagayan Valley, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Bicol Region, Cebu City, Negros island, Panay island, Eastern Visayas, Davao provinces, Cotabato and General Santos City. We have received information that there was 98 percent transport paralysis in Davao City, and as for most parts of the country were the strike was instigated, the percentage of paralysis was 80-90 percent.

Mr. Speaker, dear colleagues, the dominant call in today's transport strike is the repeal of Republic Act 8479 or the Oil Deregulation Law. Hindi ang paghingi ng dagdag na singil sa pamasahe ang dahilan ng pagkakaisa ng mga bumubuo sa sektor ng transportasyon, kundi ang napakalakas na panawagan na Ibasura ang Oil Deregulation Law! na siyang dahilan ng walang habas na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis na nagpapahirap sa mamamayan.

This call has encouraged the support and participation in the strike of drivers and operators from the biggest and widest transport organizations in the country.

It has also garnered the support from the different sectors including workers, peasants and urban poor who are the main victims of the relentless series of oil price increases.

Mr. Speaker, dear colleagues, kung atin nga namang susuriin, wasto at makatarungan ang hinihiling ng mga manggagawa sa transportasyon. Mula ng isabatas ang Oil Deregulation Law noong 1998, ang itinaas ng presyo ng gasolina ay umabot na sa 130%, ang diesel ay 230% at ang liquefied petroleum gas ay 135%.

Nakapagdududa rin na habang ang mamamayan ay hirap na hirap na sa pagpasan ng napakataas na presyo ng langis, ang Petron, Shell at Caltex ay naging 4th, 5th at 7th place respectively sa Philippines' Top 500 Corporations. Ang Petron ay nagkamal ng P3.1 billion habang ang Shell naman ay nagkamal ng P2.6 billion nitong nakaraang taon lamang. Ang mga kinitang ito ay mula sa labis na tubo dulot ng overpricing na ginagawa ng mga kumpanya ng langis.

Mr. Speaker, dear colleagues, it is high time that this chamber hear the call of the transport sector and other sectors of the Filipino working class and be decisive on this issue of endless oil price hikes.

There is an overwhelming clamor against the oil deregulation law. More than a rollback in oil prices, transport groups and private vehicle owners and consumers are demanding the immediate junking of the oil deregulation law. It's long overdue that this treacherous piece of legislation be scrapped, and its impact reversed. The greedy triumvirate of Shell, Caltex and Petron exploit and continue to exploit the oil deregulation law, and the oil price hikes are tantamount to economic sabotage against the welfare of consumers and the general public.

In the meantime, the Senate's recent approval of the VAT hike bill all the more justifies the urgent need to give out wage increase for workers and wage earners in the private sector. Without a doubt the VAT hike will definitely affect the prices of local petroleum products. Oil companies are now empowered to further abuse their pricing rights and extract more blood money from the public for greater profit. Shell, Caltex and Petron executives must be dancing in their offices because of the VAT.

Hinihingi po ng kinatawang ito, kasama ng iba pang mga progresibong mambabatas sa kapulungang ito, na kagyat nang pag-usapan ng House Committee on Energy ang mga panukalang batas na nag-aamyenda o nananawagan ng pagbasura sa RA 8479, tulad ng House Bill 1065 na ipinanukala ng kinatawang ito. Kasabay pa nito, ay masusing imbestigahan ang pricing mechanism ng mga kumpanya ng langis at parusahan ang mga nag-overprice sa mga produktong petrolyo.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, today's transport strike may be prodded by economic reasons, namely the high prices of diesel and petroleum products - but the orientation is highly political. The public's hackles are raised against the administration and its tax measures, and over-all betrayal of the welfare and interest of the poor and working people. Sa huli, dahil sa pagbalewala ng gobyerno sa mga panawagan ng mga mamamayan para sa mga kagyat na repormang pang-ekonomya, ang pina-pamunuan na mismo ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ang aani ng buhawi ng galit at diskontento ng taumbayan.

Ito lamang at isang magandang araw sa ating lahat.#

NR0419:DOLE encourages employers to hire apprentices

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 19, 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 opposes DOLE proposal that employers hire new graduates and workers as apprentices to save on labor costs

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran expressed strong contempt anew for Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas and her proposal that employers they hire fresh graduates as trainees or apprentices, saying that the proposal was an attack against labor's right to job security. He said that he will strongly oppose this proposal if any legislative or executive action is done to legitimize it.

"Instead of coming up with proposals that will protect workers, the DOLE keeps racking its brains to put together plans that attack workers rights and exacerbate the already shocking problem of widespread unemployment," he said. "Unemployment rates are at an all-time high, but the national government much less the DOLE have not been able to generate more jobs for the growing army of unemployed and underemployed Filipinos. Currently, unemployment rates are pegged at a minimum of 11.4% to 14%," he said.

Sto. Tomas has said that employers will be able to save more because they will only need to pay apprentices 75% of the prevailing minimum wage rate. They will be able to save up to 25% in labor costs because of this. In the meantime, if they choose to pay their apprentices full wages, they can save 50% on labor costs by availing themselves of deductions.

Apprentices can only work for a period of four to six months, and can be immediately laid off unless the company offers them a contract which, in most cases are also contractual nature. "This is a despicable proposal that should not be taken up or supported. Sto. Tomas is yet again proving her mettle as a viciously anti-worker bureaucrat who is always on the look out for measures that will further worsen the exploitation of workers while giving employers and big businesses more opportunities to increase their profits," he said.

Beltran said that if Sto. Tomas proposal is imposed by employers or, worse, turned into a Department Order or legislated into law, the struggle of workers for job security, regularization and tenure will be severely undermined."This is an outright attack against workers' job security. Labor flexibility schemes, among them contractualization and extended apprenticeship schemes have already denied thousands of workers their right to job security, adequate wages and social security benefits. Sto. Tomas is making a recommendation that seeks to completely do away with the long fought-for rights of workers,' he said.

Sto. Tomas and the DOLE are offering employers who opt to hire trainees various incentives via the ongoing Kasanayan at Kabuhayan (KASH) program of the department, the technical Education and Skills Development Agency (TESDA) in cooperation with employers groups.

Although labor-only contracting is declared as unlawful in the Labor Code, there is still no penalty imposed upon those who will engage in labor-only contracting, thereby giving one the impression that the activity is not openly prohibited by the government. #

NR0418:Transport strike directed against GMA

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 18, 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

Transport strike unmistakable sign of disgust and discontent against Macapagal-Arroyo administration - Rep. Beltran

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the widely successful transport strike launched nationwide by transport group PISTON, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and people's organizations under Bayan Muna and progressive party-lists including Anakpawis should give the Macapagal-Arroyo administration pause. He said that reports say that the strike has paralyzed 85-90% of all transportation in major thoroughfares and crippling most others.

"The success of these actions are not only because of the massive outrage of public transport drivers and commuters against the endless oil price hikes - it's also due to the disgust of consumers and the general public against the inutility of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration in stopping the OPHs in the one hand, and its refusal to raise wages and salaries," he said.

Drivers of jeepney, taxi, tricycle, pedicab and trucks plying 11 major routes and 40 secondary routes all over Metro Manila are currently participating in the strike. Workers, urban poor, professionals, church people and small businessmen have joinged the protests at Cubao, Monumento, Novaliches, Alabang, Port Area, Kalayaan Ave. , Taytay, Angono and Baclaran.

PISTON-KMU and Anakpawis members and affiliate transport organizations in Baguio City, Cagayan Valley, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Bicol Region, Cebu City, Negros provinces, Panay island, Eastern Visayas, Davao provinces, Cotabato, General Santos City, and other urban centers nationwide have also launched synchronized actions and protests since 5am today.

Beltran said that this transport strike is characterized mainly by the Filipino public's united stand against the national government. "This strike may be prodded by economic reasons, namely the high prices of diesel and petroleum products - but the orientation is highly political. The public's hackles are all raised against the administration and its tax measures, and over-all betrayal of the welfare and interest of the poor and working people," he said. He said that now, more than ever, a P125 across-the-board wage hike for workers and a P3,000 salary hike for those in the public sector are justified.

The veteran labor leader said that there was also an overwhelming clamor against the oil deregulation law. "More than a rollback in prices, transport groups and private vehicle owners and consumers are demanding the immediate junking of the oil deregulation," he said. "It's long overdue that this treacherous piece of legislation be scrapped, and its impact reversed. The greedy triumvirate of Shell, Caltex and Petron exploit and continue to exploit the oil deregulation law, and the oil price hikes are tantamount to economic sabotage against the welfare of consumers and the general public."

In the meantime, the Senate's recent approval of the VAT hike bill all the more justifies the urgent need to give out wage increase for workers and wage earners in the private sector. "Without a doubt the VAT hike will definitely affect the prices of local petroleum products. Oil companies are now empowered to further abuse their pricing rights and extract more blood money from the public for greater profit. Shell, Caltex and Petron executives must be dancing in their offices because of the VAT," he said. #

NR0413:Summon oil execs over economic sabotage of OPHs

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 13, 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

Open the books of Shell, Caltex, petron; grill oil execs over the oil price hikes as they're already committing economic sabotage and terrorism - Rep. Beltran

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the head executives of the oil companies Shell, Caltex and Petron should be summoned to Congress and grilled regarding the relentless series of oil price hikes. He said that the oil companies were having a field day jacking their prices on an almost weekly basis, and the impact on consumers and the economy was deadly. He said that it's the executives and big investors of Shell, Caltex and Petron who should be castigated for the oil price hikes -- them and the law they released billions of funds to have approved and passed, the oil deregulation law.

"The spokespersons and executives of Shell, Caltex and Petron keep shrugging their shoulders whenever they're criticized regarding the oil price hike - as if they had nothing to do about it or as if they have no control over it," he said. "They're all liars - making up excuses to cover up their real profit motive. There should be transparency in the records of the oil companies - their inventory stock, their price mechanisms, and their profit margins. We should all s tart with Petron's books as its the oil company that earning the most, and because the Philippine government has shares of stock in it," he said.

"It's not the international oil pricing situation that's dictating the changes in pricing - it's sheer and unabiding corporate greed,' he said. "There is no justifying the oil price hikes. Prices can remain stable if the oil companies do not change their prices at the slightest whim. The brutal and contemptible truth is that the oil companies are holding the country hostage, and this should be immediately stopped."

Beltran said that Senate and Congress should immediately address the oil price hikes. He urged lawmakers HB1065 junking the oil deregulation law. "There is no way that the economy much less consumers can continue shouldering the oil price hikes. Oil deregulation has brought the industry and consumers down to their knees."

"It's an outrage that Malacanang and the Department of Energy are essentially lying prostrate in front of the oil companies, not lifting a single finger to stop the oil companies from their greedy price manipulation and relentless profiteering. What the oil companies are doing is tantamount to economic sabotage and terrorism. Hundreds of small Filipino business will be forced to close shop because of the high petroleum prices that inevitably cause prices of all raw materials and services to also skyrocket." #

NR0413:Musommeli a racist and religious bigot

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 13, 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

US Charge D'affaires Musommeli a religious bigot and a racist; his rights as a diplomat in the Philippines should be revoked - Rep. Beltran

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today expressed indignation over what he termed as US Embassy Charge D'affaires Joseph Mussomeli's "overbearing arrogance" over the latte's refusal to issue an apology and take back his categorization of southern Mindanao as the new Afghanistan and a "Mecca" of terrorism."

The veteran labor leader said calling Mindanao a Mecca of terrorism was a vicious attack against Islam and to Muslims to whom Mecca is a place of worship and holiness. "Musommelli is a racist and a religious bigot - and he reveals the standing policy of the war mongering government he represents led by George W. Bush. He and his ilk are terrorism-mongerers and should be expelled from the Philippines will full badges of disgrace."

"The gall of this official-he should be immediately deported and all his rights as a American diplomat in the Philippines revoked. American diplomatic officials in the country are seldom diplomatic and they continue to issue statements and declarations against the Philippines and the Filipino people without expressing the least respect or consideration for political consequences affecting the country's security ," he said.

Beltran said that Musomsomelli's arrogance is enough grounds to have the man declared "persona non grata" and barred from the Philippines. "His declaration is tantamount to a death sentence for many Muslims and the rest of the Filipino people living in Mindanao. It's not a secret to anyone that the US government is deploying majority of its armed forces in Mindanao to guard US investments in the island. The unceasing military operations in Mindanao are primarily a result of the US government's demands on the Macapagal-Arroyo administration and part and parcel of the so-called "counter-terrorism" campaign. Hundreds of thousands of civilians are in the line of fire because of Musommelli's anti-Muslim, anti-Mindanao slur."

Finally, Beltran demanded that President Macapagalk-Arroyo should not allow Musommeli's attacks against the Philippines, Mindanao and Filipino Muslims go unnoticed. "Pres. Arroyo is taking these declarations from American diplomats with a grain of salt, and this is contemptible. She should be the first to demand that Musommeli and even the White House issue a public apology to all Filipinos, particularly our Muslim brothers and sisters," he said. #

NR0412:Workers' camp-out for P125 on its second day

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 12, 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

Workers laying down an ultimatum against President Arroyo; 2,300-strong camp-out in Congress for wage and salary hikes on its second day

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today joined workers from the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and Southern Tagalog regions in the second day of big three-day camp-out for a nationwide wage increase in front of the Main Gate of the Batasang Pambansa complex. More 2,000 workers three regions put up a picketline in front of the Congress gates, dramatizing their demand for the immediate approval and implementation of a P125 across-the-board wage hike for private sector workers, and a P3,000 salary hike, also across-the-board, for employees of the public sector.

"Workers are laying down an ultimatum against the Macapagal-Arroyo government, demanding the administration and its allies in Congress' immediate action on the wage and salary increase bills pending in the Lower House. Pres. Arroyo has been turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to the working people's calls for economic relief. It doesn't come as a surprise to anyone that there's a strong current of disgust and dissatisfaction against the President. She has continuously failed to uphold the welfare of workers," he said. He said that the House leadership will have to answer to the Filipino working class if they do not prioritize deliberations on HB 345 and HB 1064, the bills legislating a P125 wage hike and a P3,000 salary increase respectively.

Beltran said that it has been five years since the last wage hike, when former president Joseph Estrada ordered a P25.50 wage increase in 1999. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has long taken a hardline stance against wage increase, giving only a P30 emergency cost-of-living allowance in 2001, of which less than 20% of the country's workers were able to receive as the ECOLA implementing rules and regulations virtually exempted majority of minimum wage earners.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that that there were already some 70 signatures supporting HB 345, or the bill legislating a P125 across-the-board wage increase nationwide. "It's a great credit to my fellow lawmakers that they are supporting this bill, it's an important service to the workers and the Filipino people who find it more than excruciatingly difficult to make ends meet given the successive series of oil price hikes and the relentless depreciation of the peso and the real value of already law wages," he said.

"Its unconscionable that President Arroyo remains indifferent to the demands for economic relief emanating from the lower income levels and the ranks of the country's poor, yet hastens to give in to the whims and wishes of foreign creditors and investors. The series of tax measures Pres. Arroyo continues to push Congress into railroading have yet to be implemented, but already their impact is strongly felt by workers and the rest of the Filipino people: manufacturers are in a mad scramble to jack their prices, apart from adjusting these prices because of the oil price hikes," he said. "

NR0411:AFP gearing for a ttacks in Metro Manila

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 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

AFP gearing up attacks against civilians in Metro Manila; GMA's support for activist extermination campaign evident - Rep. Beltran

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Maapagal-Arroyo administration have exposed themselves as the masterminds behind the ongoing campaign of political repression and activist killings and should be condemned from all fronts as bastions of human rights violations and burgeoning fascist dictatorship. Only yesterday, another Bayan Muna official in Eastern Samar was attacked, bringing the number of activists and civilians sympathetic to activist causes killed/harassed to 33.

Beltran reiterated his stand that former dictator Ferdinand Marcos has been reincarnated in the guise of incumbent president Gloria Arroyo. "The AFP cannot be taking these actions and making these serious, life-threatening accusations as well as carrying out killings of activists without the knowledge and full back-up of the President. Not a single ranking official of the administration -- not even the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) - have made a comment on the killings, nevermind that the number of bodies keeps increasing on an almost weekly basis."

This was Beltran's reactions to reports that progressive people's organizations allied with the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) are directly taking orders from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People's Army (NPA). According to the AFP, these people's organizations are laying the foundations for upcoming operations of the NPA in the Metropolis.

"Neither the president nor her spokseperson have said a word regarding these killings and the villification campaign. It's impossible not to take this silence for condonation and even support for these infamous deeds."
These are old allegations. Napaglumaan na ng panahon. Legal and democratic mass organizations such as the Kilusang Mayo (KMU) and the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas among others allied with BAYAN have been in existent for the last two decades and more. KMU, for one, is celebrating its silver anniversary this year, on May 1st. They are long recognized and acknowledged legal organizations not only locally, but even internationally," he said.

Beltran said that the AFP's accusations were direct threats against the lives and safety of the members and allies of the organizations the AFP have branded as NPA fronts. "Essentially, the AFP is branding hundreds of thousands of laborers, government employees, school teachers, scientists, students, clergy and basically members from all sectors of Philippine society as on the link-up with the NPA. How does the AFP figure how to go about weeding out their suspects? Or will the AFP and its paramilitary arms just beging shooting and abducting random members?" He said than the media liaison and campaign coordinators of the people's organizations appear to be particular targets because its their tasks that are being alleged as part of the preparations for evental NPA operations in Metro Manila.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker expressed strong apprehensions over the possible attacks the AFP will launch against the people's organizations it has determined as alleged fronts of the CPP and the NPA. He said that the May 1st labor day celebrations promises to be the biggest rally in the first half of the year, and it's clearly going to be a massive protest against the Macapagal-Arroyo administration and its economic policies and political repression campaign.

"It's not the NPA but the AFP who are preparing to launch attacks in Metro Manila, and its targetting civilians. They're bringing their manhunt of activists from the provinces to the Metropolis, " he said. "The Labor Day celebrations in the National Capital Region (NCR) will undoubtedly bring together a great number of activists and civilians sympathetic to activists causes, not to mention the national leaders and officials of the people's organizations the AFP is accusing of being communist fronts. Everyone is a potential target," he said.

Beltran said that heads in the AFP should roll because of the release of "Know Thy Enemy" cd and its libelous, murderous contents. "It introduces the entire mindset and plans of the AFP against democratic and legal people's organizations and worsens the already twisted ideas of the members of the AFP regarding civil liberties and democratic rights. This is worse than villification - the AFP has painted bullseye signs on the forehead of all members of the groups it has put on its list."#

NR0411: Workers put up picketline in Congress for P125 wage hike

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 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
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All worker s unite behind P125 wage hike bill; PGMA shouldn't thumb down wage demand for the 5th year running - Rep. Beltran

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today called on House Speaker Jose de Venecia and Majority Floor Leader Prospero Nograles to make good on their promise that the House leadership will no longer put off deliberations of the P125 across-the-board wage hike bill, o HB 345. He said that the House has been working overtime to deliberate over and finally railroad the various tax measures upon the orders of Malacanang, but has done very little by way of responding to the demands of the Filipino workers for an immediate wage increase.

Beltran said that all workers and their unions regardless of political orientation or affiliation are uniting behind the P125 wage increase call. In the House, HB 345 has garnered the support of some 70 solons who have co-authored the bill which is up for second reading. "Workers are rallying behind this wage hike call in a united bid to remind Pres. Arroyo of how disgracefully she has ignored the legitimate economic demands of labor," he said.

Beltran and fellow Anakpawis solon Rafael Mariano are also batting for the passage of HB 1064 or the bill granting a P3,000 across-the-board salary hike for government employees.

Workers led by the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and the broad worker alliances P125 Wage Hike Now, and the Solidarity for Labor Rights and Welfare (SOLAR) will be holding big demonstrations in front of Congress beginning today, April 11. According to reports, they will establish a camp out in front of the Congress gates until the House begins deliberations on HB 345.

It has been five years since the last wage hike, when former president Joseph Estrada ordered a P25.50 wage increase in 1999. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has long taken a hardline stance against wage increase, giving only a P30 emergency cost-of-living allowance in 2001, of which less than 20% of the country's workers were able to receive as the ECOLA implementing rules and regulations virtually exempted majority of minimum wage earners.

"This administration has allowed the oil companies, Meralco and the water companies to increase their prices and rates on the one hand, but on the other it has issued steady refusals to the demands of workers for a much needed wage increase and of government employees for a P3,000 salary hike. It's an understatement to state that Filipinos are finding it hard to cope with the continually rising costs of living; but Pres. Arroyo won't even throw a lifeline," he said.

Beltran chided President Arroyo for keeping her ears closed and her heart hardened against workers. "She always has time to listen to the demands and counter wage hike arguments of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP); "But she never give workers the time of day. In a few weeks, it will be International Labor Day. What will GMA tell workers - that for the 5th year running, she will be thumbing their clamor for a much needed wage increase?"#

NR0406:IPU should support ICC

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
Philippine House of Representatives
News Release April 6, 2005
South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
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112th IPU should ratify a resolution expressing support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and condemn the US government's attacks against Iraq - Rep. Beltran

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran expressed hope that the 112th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) assembly will see it fit to pass a resolution expressing support for international efforts to further strengthen the institution of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Item 4 of the IPU agenda is the role of parliaments in the establishment and functioning of mechanisms to provide for the judgment and sentencing of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and terrorism, with a view to avoiding impunity (Committee on Peace and International Security).

"Parliaments and congressional bodies all over the world should support the ICC and denounce governments and military forces who violate rules treatises governing the conduct of war. In particular, the IPU should come up with a resolution expressing full support for the ICC," he said.

The ICC is supported by a total of 89 countries. An additional 50 countries have signed on to the statutes of the court but have yet to ratify their collaboration. The ICC has been described as the descendent of the tribunal at Nuremberg set up after the Second World War to try leaders of the Nazi party for conducting wars of aggression and war crimes. The court is mandated to deal with any war crimes and crimes against humanity committed after July 1, 2002. These would include genocide, the bombing of civilians, and systematic rape and torture.

Beltran said that delegates to the IPU should commit support to the ICC, and in particular push their respective governments if they're not yet signatories to the ICC or if they haven't ratified their membership to do ratify.

"The IPU and its individual delegates should oppose the campaign of the United States against the ICC. The US is the only country actively conducting a campaign against the ICC and has signed treaties with more than 20 nations giving its citizens immunity from the ICC. The US' continuing occupation of Iraq has resulted to thousands of crimes against humanity," he said."

The US administration has campaigned long and hard against the ICC. With soldiers deployed in more than 140 countries, the Bush administration has made it absolutely clear that it will do everything in its power to undermine the work of the court. #

NR0406: Beltran calls for audit of AFP intel, prop funds

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
Philippine House of Representatives
News Release April 6, 2005
South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
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Solon calls for audit of AFP, NSA funds, demands report on their expenses for vilification campaign against media groups and progressive party-lists

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the worsening paranoia of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration is behind its full support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) liquidation and vilification campaign against progressive people's organizations, including party-lists, media groups, and even church-based groups.

Beltran said that he will immediately call for an audit of the information, propaganda and intelligence accounts of the AFP and perhaps even the National Security Agency (NSA) in the recent months up to the last year.

"It's becoming apparent that the national government and its security and defense agencies are utilizing millions in public funds for a vilification campaign against legitimate critics," he said.

Beltran said that there was no doubt in his mind that the national government and its henchmen in the AFP and paramilitary groups were behind the killings of activists and civilians, including journalists and sympathetic lawyers and church people.

"Why then hasn't the authorities caught any of the perpetrators of the activist killings? Since January alone, 32 members and sympathizers of the progressive party-lists and peasant groups have been killed, and four journalists slain. None of the killers have been killed because they're being protected by the AFP," he said.

"It's not surprising that the Macapagal-Arroyo administration sees almost everyone around it as enemies. All the influential sectors in Philippine society are already highly critical of the President and her economic programs as well as her political rulings. The widespread corruption within it and its rising militarist tendencies is isolating the administration," he said.

"These moves to vilify church and media groups, and to attack progressive party-lists and even kill activists and civilians sympathetic to activist causes all expose how desperate the Macapagal-Arroyo administration is. The AFP is its main instrument in stifling political dissent."

The veteran labor leader that civil libertarians and human rights advocates should not be afraid to stand up against these attacks on political freedoms and democratic rights.

"The press should be allowed to perform its duty to be the watchdog of the government; and freedom of the press defended, journalists protected. A fighting and watchful press is a necessary institution in the struggle for good governance and against corruption. The fact that the government is attacking members of the media and their organizations among them the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) means that the Philippine press is doing its duty well," he said.#

NR0404:RP solons seek intl solidarity against US war on terror

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
Philippine House of Representatives
News Release April 4, 2005
South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: paggawa@edsamail.com.ph, anakpawis2003@yahoo.com
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Philippine solons urge foreign counterparts to forge international solidarity against political repression, US global campaign of terror

On the second day of the 112th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly, Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Party-list Representative Crispin Beltran today said that he and the other progressive representatives from Bayan Muna (People First) party-list and Gabriela Women's Party (GWP) hope to form links with their foreign counterparts from all over the world in opposing violations to civil liberties and human rights of activists and civilians sympathetic to progressive political parties and their respective causes.

Beltran along with fellow Anakpawis Representative and peasant leader Rafael Mariano are attending the 112th IPU being held in the country from April 3-8 at the Philippine International Convention Center. Beltran said that he is making the rounds in the IPU to seek the help and support of his foreign counterparts in denouncing the endless series of human rights violations and activist killings being perpetrated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the silence of the Macapagal-Arroyo government regarding the same.

"Even as the progressive bloc of Philippine solons seek to unite with the issues being laid down by our foreign counterparts regarding the political and economic concerns in their respective countries which primarily affect the welfare of the working people, we also hope to get their support in the campaign in the Philippines against intensifying political repression. We hope that the delegations from t he various counties from the IPU will see it fit to support the cause of the Filipino people against political repression and forge international solidarity behind it," he said.

Beltran said that the IPU was a very good venue wherein parliamentary representatives from all over the world can unite behind specific political and economic calls, "For instance against the US war against terrorism and the US government's continued occupation of Iraq and burgeoning attacks against other nations asserting national independence," he said. "The Philippine government remains subservient to US political, economic and military interests. This unjust and unequal relationship is at the core of the country's political and economic backwardness."

"The global economic crisis should also prompt leaders of the world to stand up against liberalization and privatization: they're the scourge that's destroying economies and the livelihood of billions of people all over the world," he said. The veteran labor leader said the Philippine delegation to the IPU should not hesitate to share with their foreign counterparts the true situation in the Philippines. "We should not be afraid or hesitant to admit to the world the worsening situation on the Philippines; we should show an honest picture of the Philippines in the international community, because only then can we even begin to come up with collective solutions to common global problems," he said.

Beltran said that he is sharing with the foreign delegates the reports from supporters and lawyers regarding the abuse of rights and due process of law, the plans to ram though a national ID system and an anti-terror law, and the murder and abduction of political activists.

"The Macapagal-Arroyo government, no doubt, is keeping a tight lip regarding the activist killings, as well as the worsening economic conditions in the country characterized by the relentless oil price hikes, mass unemployment, and widespread homelessness and general poverty." Beltran said that through the course of investigation and discussions of progressive Philippine solons with local human rights groups confirm that the Philippine government is becoming increasingly militaristic. "The Philippine government claims to be a defender of democracy an upholder of human rights, but since January 2005, 32 political activists and four journalists have been killed and none of the perpetrators have been brought to justice."#

NR0401: Solons to bring HR violations in IPU assembly

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release April 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

Anakpawis solons lift fast, commits to highlight human rights violations and mounting political repression in upcoming 11th Inter-Parliamentary Union assembly

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran who along with fellow Anakpawis solon Rafael Mariano held a three-day fast since March 30 said that the upcoming Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting will be a venue for progressive legislators to ventilate the steadily increasing number of human rights violations in the country, the worst of which are the brutal killing of activists and journalists, and the abduction and harassment of members of cause oriented people's organizations. He and Mariano will be attending the IPU gathering as observers.

"Primary among our duties as elected representatives of the Filipino people is to speak out against the gross attacks against civil liberties and democratic rights. The facts speak for themselves - 32 activists have been killed since January 2005, and the national government has not lifted a finger to assist the families and the organizations the victims represent in finding the killers and bringing them to justice."

Included in the 7-item agenda of the Assembly which is to take place from April 3-8 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) is on the role of parliaments in the establishment and functioning of mechanisms to provide for the judgment and sentencing of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and terrorism with a view to avoiding impunity. Discussions on this will be headed by the Committee on Peace and International Security.

" As legislators, we are given the duty to come up with laws and resolutions supposedly protecting the people's civil and human right; but here we have civilians and activists espousing legitimate concerns, advocating pro-people reform being hunted down. " he said.

Beltran said that he also intends to share with foreign counterparts the developments in the crafting of a Philippine anti-terrorism law and the implementation of a national ID system. "Our foreign counterparts and the parliaments and governments they represent would do well to know how these draconian measures are met by strong wave of protests from the civilian populace, and what moves progressive legislators are taking to thwart their passage and implementation."

"As for impunity, it's clear that the masterminds and perpetrators of the killings have so far gotten away with their crimes, and the Macapagl-Arroyo administration has expressed neither alarm nor concern. As long as the powers that be continues to flout human rights and blatantly disregard the political rights of the Filipino people, the government's declarations regarding the promotion of democracy and human rights will be greeted with cynicism and even outrage."

The veteran labor leader said that he personally does not have any intent to embarrass the Macapagal-Arroyo administration in the eyes of the international community and foreign legislators, "But it would be a crime against the Filipino people to remain silent on the mounting number of atrocities being committed against civilians by the government's armed forces and other mercenary elements on the military pay-roll. The Philippines is not only in the running for being the most corrupt country, it's also among the most violent in the world. Activists and journalists are fair game here," he said. #