NR0730:No forgiveness or reconciliation w/out justice

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release July 30, 2005

No forgiveness or reconciliation without justice; political crisis can only be settled upon removal of Macapagal-Arroyo from Malacanang

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo is clearly trying to appear magnanimous in the attempt to pacify the public and woo it into forgiving her corruption and electoral fraud. He said that nothing has been forgiven and certainly nothing is forgotten, regardless of Mrs. Arroyo’s projection that she is willing and prepared to make peace with her critics.

“Like ousted strongman Ferdinand Marcos and members of his surviving family, Pres. Arroyo refuses to admit and acknowledge that she has committed countless violations against the Filipino people. She is offering to make peace when she has not been admitted her transgressions in office. There can be no peace without justice, and the protests against Mrs. Arroyo will not stop until the goal is achieved, that of removing her from Malacanang,” he said.

He said that the executive's offers of peace and reconciliation should be rejected outright. He said that she has not been able to explain or account for herself on any of the charges against her. “the economy has been on a nose-dive even before the tape scandal erupted, and her immediate efamily has long been accused of various corrupt activities. All these have already come to a head, and there’s no other solution to this political crisis but to remove Macapagal-Arroyo from Malacanang.”

Beltran said that it was sickening the way Mrs. Arroyo was pretending to be more personable and forgiving. “It’s all just a ploy – a tactic at melting the hearts of the unforgiving public much angered by her corruption, electoral fraud and relentless attacks against the economic welfare of the majority. She’s only adding insult to serious injury by trying to make peace with critics. The country’s political atmosphere will continue to be turbulent as long as Mrs. Arroyo is in office. She may be issuing calls for peace, but what she refuse to admit is that she is the main cause of the problems besetting the country. Her brand of corrupt politics and administration, her arrogance at proclaiming her administration’s non-existent success at helping improve the lives of millions of impoverished Filipinos," he said.

Finally, the veteran labor leader said that former president Corazon Aquino should be insulted at the tack Mrs. Arroyo was taking. He said that Mrs. Arroyo was trying to project the former president as clearly misled and mistaken in calling for her resignation. “Former president Aquino should not back down from her call for Mrs. Arroyo’s resignation. If anything, the former president should even be more vocal against the headstrong and arrogant yet illegitimate incumbent,” he said.

NR0729:GMA, country's First Lady of Jueteng

From the Office of Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran
News Release July 29, 2005

GMA as country’s First Lady of Jueteng

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will never be allowed to heave a sigh of relief and say "thank God the crisis has passed" because the charges of corruption and electoral fraud against her will continue to strengthen.

"Mrs. Arroyo will continue to be hounded by various scandals and controversies and these will not stop until she is forced out of office," he said. "Now it’s slowly being exposed as that side from being the mastermind of the biggest electoral fraud caper in recent history, she’s also a jueteng lord – or rather, a jueteng Lady," he said.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that even as the allies of Mrs. Arroyo stall the impeachment process in the House of Representatives and throw various legalistic monkey wrenches in its way, the jueteng investigations in the Senate will provide the public will even greater reasons to demand the removal of the corrupt and illegitimate presidency. He said that there was no more salvaging the reputation nor the credibility of the illegitimate incumbent, and no propaganda blitz campaign will be able to erase the image of Mrs. Arroyo as electoral cheat and now jueteng First Lady.

"This was an inevitable development. Already Mrs. Arroyo’s husband, eldest son and brother-in-law are charged with being jueteng lords and beneficiaries of multi-millions from the illegal numbers game, so it doesn’t come as a surprise at all that Pres.Arroyo herself is involved in jueteng."

"There’s truth in the adage that where there’s smoke there’s fire. Even when she was still senator and eventually vice-president, Mrs. Arroyo’s name has already been linked to big-time jueteng. Her electoral campaign paraphernalia has been alleged to have been purchased and disseminated using jueteng money. Now it’s going to be revealed whether the jueteng funds were donations from jueteng lord/family friends, or if they were actual profits and kickbacks of members of the heads of the First Family," he said. #

NR0728:Post SONA abduction

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

Solon denounces military abduction of anti-SONA rallyist; says GMA govt intensifying campaign of political repression against protestors

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today denounced the abduction of the a local leader of Anakpawis Party List and his companion after they attending the State of the Nation Address (SONA)last Monday, July 25. "The Macapagal-Arroyo admnistration and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are intensifying their efforts to cripple the anti-Arroyo protests by intensifying attacks against members and leaders of progressive partylists who are at the forefront of the anti-GMA rallies. Not satisfied with physically blocking protestors and their vehicles from getting to the rally points by putting up checkpoints, the AFP and other armed elements of the Arroyo government are harassing civilians attending the protests."

Armando Barquillo, 42 years old and the acting Chairperson of Anakpawis-Camarin (Caloocan) chapter, and his companion Lirio de Castro, 21 years old and a tricycle driver, were last seen alive in the public market of Trece Martires, Cavite between 9 to 11 a.m. on July 26, Tuesday. The victims left their home in Amaya, Tansa, Cavite in order to meet with a former acquaintance at the public market by 9 a.m.

Eyewitness reports state that Barquillo and de Castro were seen eating and chatting with another unidentified person at a carenderia (eatery) inside the public market when eight unidentified and heavily-built males carrying four armalites and four .45 caliber pistols approached them from behind.

The armed men grabbed the victim's arms from behind, quickly tied them up with packing tape, and began beating their heads with the .45 caliber pistols while dragging them away from the scene. The other armed men reportedly aimed their armalites at bystanders in order to discourage them from helping the victims.

Barquillo and de Castro were dragged outside the market and forced to board a red Pajero parked on a nearby street. The Pajero sped off to an unknown destination, followed by a red motorcycle believed to be driven by other accomplices to the crime.

When the victim did not arrive home at 12 noon as he promised,Barquillo's family members tried to repeatedly contact the two through their cellular phones during the entire afternoon. The cell phones were open, but neither Barquillo nor de Castro responded to the text messages and phone calls.

At around 4 p.m. on July 26, family members received a text message from Barquillo, saying "SA MGA PINABIBILI KO AY K.MUSTA N JAN?MAULAN BJAN?MAY NGHANP B SA AKIN?". The victim's wife found such a message suspicious as Barquillo usually did not use capitalized letters when texting and was not prone to asking so many questions in one message.Family members then tried to call de Castro's cellular phone at around 5 p.m. The victim answered "in a very weak voice", saying that they still have not met up with their companion and would be coming home soon.After the two did not return by 7 p.m., family members and friends dispatched aides to look for them in Trece Martires. There, they learned of the abduction earlier that morning.

Beltran said that the abduction of Barquillo and de Castro is poof that there is intense political repression in the country. He said that the elements of the Philippine military were the most likely suspects in the abduction. "Who else but the military haveaccess to armalites, .45 pistols, and luxury vehicles? Also, the abduction took place in the Southern Tagalog region, which has an infamous record of human rights violations committed by military troops," he pointed out.

Beltran said that GMA's declared in her SONA that she is pushing for the immediate passage of the anti-terrorism law. "This is what the corrupt and illegitimate administraton wants to use to effectively legalize politically repressive mechanisms similar to the ones used under Martial Law," he said.#

NR0728:Ramos using GMA as his frontwoman

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

Ramos projecting own ambitions using GMA as frontwoman; Cha cha being used as recycling means for corrupt and illegitimate president

"No way and no how."

This was the empathatic declaration of Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran regarding the recommendation of former president Fidel V. Ramos that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is eligible to become prime minister if the government shifts to parliamentary form. He said that Ramos' recommendation was "insane."

"The entire nation is in an uproar against Mrs. Arroyo and her corrupt and illegitimate presidency; people are demanding her immediate removal from power. She should even be declared unfit for any public office or any form of government service given the gravity of her crimes against the Filipino people. Does Ramos think that the government is a recycling center where garbage can be transformed and re-utilized?"

Beltran said that Ramos was clealy enjoying his role as new puppet master and mentor to Pres. Arroyo. "He's using Mrs. Arroyo as frontwoman for his relentless political ambitions. The Charter Change scheme is actually the original brainchild of Ramos, and he has never let go of his dream to become the most powerful and influential official in the country by hook or by crook. His projections and plans for Mrs. Arroyo are actually expressions of what he wants for himself, nevermind his denials that he doesn't want to become prime minister himself and remain a private citizen. For a private citizen, he's very powerful as he's the one already calling the shots in Malacanang," he said.

The veteran labor leader said that the Cha cha proposal should be shot clear out of the sky as it was nothing but a diversionary tactic to salvage the Arroyo presidency. "Changing the government system to parliamentary form is in no way the solution to the country's problems. The same traditional politicians greedy for economic power and political influence are the ones eager to take the lead in their proposed new government. They're also peddling the same brand of destructive economic reforms and anti-national foreign policies that have driven the Filipino to their knees. Charter Change as dreamed up by the same cast of characters in the current corrupt administration is a nightmare the Filipino people should not be subjected to.#

NR0728:Gonzales should resign, is mentally incapacitated

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

Sec. Gonzales should resign because he's already mentally incapacitated; he must be speaking of himself and his own practices when he was still Congressman

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales should resign from his post given that he is clearly mentally incapacitated. "The moment Gonzales became DOJ secretary he transformed into a madman. His accusations against the progressive party-lists Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party are shockingly false and libelous. We demand that he show proof that we have been using our PDAF funds for the anti-GMA protests- does he have receipts and other legal documents? We're very interested to see them," he said.

"Raul Gonzales desperation to defend his boss Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has clearly pushed him over the edge. I think these mad-man rants of his are part and parcel of this tactics to divert attention fromPres. Arroyo to himself, and at the same time villify the three progressive party-lists whose representatives in Congress are among the most vocal of GMA critics," he said. Beltran, chairman of the Anakpawis National Political Party, said that Gonzales was welcome to visit their headquarters in Kamias Quezon City and see whether multi-million PDAF funds were indeed being used to bankroll anti-GMA rallies.

"If there's anything the Commission on Audit should investigate, it's the the Office of the President and its adjunct propaganda-projection agencies; they must be spending billions daily in a futile effort to clean up the image of the Mrs. Arroyo," he said.

The veteran labor leader said that Gonzales accusations are most likely based on actual knowledge of what really goes in Congress. "He must be speaking from his own experience and practices when he was still a congressman. What Sec. Gonzales is accusing us of is probably what he used to do when he was still a lawmaker -- misapproriating his PDAF and using taxpayers' money to finance propaganda campaigns favoring himself and the Pres. Macapagl-Arroyo in his district," he said. "Unwittingly Gonzales may be making accusations more appropriately directed at die-hard Macapagal-Arroyo lawmakers who release millions to support pro-GMA hakot rallies."

Beltran said that Gonzales' continuous defense of Pres. Arroyo is actually backfiring on the President. "He's coming off like a lunatic recently escaped from a mental asylum, with his rants against former president Cory Aquino and Ms. Susan Roces and attacks even against actress Kris Aquino being certiable ravings of a man with a screw loose. If the likes of Gonzales are the ones remaining loyal to the president, than she's really in a lot of trouble. If President Arroyo is being called a tuko (tree lizard) tenaciously clinging to office, then Sec. Gonzales is a tiki -- what smaller tree lizards are called in his own district in Iloilo. He's barely clinging to his sanity."#

NR0727:GMA ignoring warnings at her own peril

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin BeltranNews Release July 27, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: rep_crispin_beltran@yahoo.com.ph, anakpawis_partylist@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

GMA ignoring the signs and warnings at her own peril; her promises for economic reforms for development lacking in credibility

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s attempts to justify the empty content of her state of the nation address (SONA) last Monday were futile as it is already evident that Malacanang’s tack was to keep silent on all issues concerning the credibility of the president.

In reaction to this morning’s presscon wherein Pres. Arroyo said that she was no longer going to take notice of criticisms being issued against her by the opposition, Beltran said that Mrs. Arroyo’s defiant stance was merely a front.

“As has been pointed out before, the longer Pres. Arroyo stays mum on the charges of corruption and electoral fraud against her, the worse the backlash will be. It is impossible for the presidency to continue functioning in its usual way when its credibility and legality is being questioned from all sides. The entire nation is waiting and watching over the developments in the campaign for the removal of the President, and even if Mrs. Arroyo keeps silent, this attention will not go away,’ he said.

“The reforms Mrs. Arroyo is boasting about are without doubt in the same shape and mold as the laws, programs and policies that she has also imposed on the people to the detriment of their lives and livelihood. No one is expecting miracles from Pres. Arroyo – what the Filipino people want is her resignation. She should stop issuing promises and making plans because the nation does not trust her or her administration.”

Beltran said that Pres. Arroyo can continue to ignore the signs and the warnings, but she is doing so at her own peril.

Finally, the veteran labor leader said that pres. Arroyo’s defiance will weaken in the coming days as the impeachment process continues and, more importantly, the protests against her grow bigger in number and scope. “There is no more fixing the Macapagal-Arroyo presidency. What with the resignation of various cabinet officials and the defection of former Arroyo stalwarts, the Macapagal-Arroyo administration is falling apart at the seams,’ he concluded.#

NR0727:On GMA's image-rebuilding

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin BeltranNews Release July 27, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
Email: rep_crispin_beltran@yahoo.com.ph, anakpawis_partylist@yahoo.com
Cellphone number 09213907362
Visit geocities.com/ap_news

GMA image-reconstruction an exercise in futility; against she's caught lying regarding willingness to undergo investigations

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's plans to reconstruct her public image will not do any good for her in the long run, asserting that so long as Pres. Arroyo refuses to address the charges of corruption and electoral fraud against her.

"Pres. Arroyo's image-rebuilding tactics will never be taken seriously by the public; Filipinos find it vey easy to see through the lies and deceptions Malacanang keeps peddling. Pres. Arroyo, her spin doctors and image consultants should accept the fact that severe damage has been done to the president's reputation and there is no salvaging it. The longer she keeps mum on the accusations against her, the worse the backlash will be," he said.

"If she's just going to go around the country spouting propaganda for the charter change agenda, she will be met with more protests. Filipinos are not concerned with Cha cha; they demand the removal of the corrupt presidency and the implementation of immediate economic and political reforms that will improve the lives of the majority. Cha cha is nothing but the brainchild of traditional politicians who are so power-hungry they want to remain in office forever though superficial transformation of the governing system," he said.

In the meantime, Beltran said that Mrs. Arroyo was already trying to weasel out of her word that she is willing to undergo the impeachment process if only to be given an official venue to ventilate her side regarding the charges of corruption,political repression, economic sabotage and electoral fraud levellled against her.

"Again Mrs. Arroyo has been caught lying through her teeth. Only a few weeks before her spokespersos have reported that she has no qualms about going through an impeachment trial if the opposition files a formal impeachment complaint against her. If she's so willing, then why is it that her allies in Congress are not signing the complaint? For a change, Mrs. Arroyo should not lying and put her money where her mouth is and order her allies in Congress to sign the impeachment complaint and let the process of impeachment begin. She said she wants to air her side in a proper and constitutionally-mandated venue, well then here it is," he said. He dared Pres. Arroyo to immediately order admnistration stalwarts to sign the impeachment complaint and to cease and desist from putting roadblocks in its way and ensure the complaint's transmittal to the Senate.

"Pres. Arroyo is truly a political opportunist with no word of honor. Intent on saving herself and tenaciously clinging to the position she has no legal nor moral mandate to occupy, she goes back on her word that she is willing to go though the impeachment process," he said.

Beltran appealed to fellow lawmakers to set aside their loyalty to Malacanang and support the impeachment complaint. "They owe their offices to their constituents who are the very victims of Pres. Arroyo's corruption and twisted economic policies. The least they can do is to allow the truth to come out and subject Pres. Arroyo to invetigations. #

NR0726:GMA's cha cha non sequitur answer to charges

From the Office of Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran
News Release
July 26, 2005

GMA’s call for Charter Change non-sequitur answer to charges against her corrupt leadership; attempt to divert public attention from growing protests demanding her removal from office

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s blatant call for Charter Change was definitely a sign that she was acting under the direct control and advice of former president Fidel V. Ramos and House Speaker Jose de Venecia. He said that Pres. Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) yesterday wherein she made a call for the need for charter change but a non-sequitur answer to the charges against her, mainly corruption, failure to give resolution to worsening economic crisis, and intensifying political repression,

"She’s trying to buy time for herself and her drowning admnistration. By bringing the Chacha issue to the fore, it’s clear that Mrs. Arroyo is trying to divert the nation the issue from herself. "If Mrs. Arroyo thinks that by throwing the Chacha issue into the ring, the public’s attention will be diverted from its main focus which is to remove her from power, then she is mistaken. It’s mere desperately wishful thinking on the part of Mrs. Arroyo to hope that Filipinos will take up the issue of Charter Change and debate over its pros and abandon the agenda of removing her from Malacanang," he said.

"Now, more than ever, those demanding her resignation and ouster are determined to see Pres. Arroyo booted out of office. The fact she did not even have the strength of principle or even plain morality to address the specific charges against her in what was supposed to be a landmark speech to the Filipino people shows how weak she is and how pathetically crippled her leadership is. She chose to mince her way through the SONA, and to spring an issue the Filipino people are both apathetic and antipathetic to. It’s too pathetic for words," he said.

Beltran said that if there was anyone who got any sense from her SONA yesterday, it was only pro-Cha cha lawmakers led by Speaker de Venecia. "They have their own political and economic agenda that is quite removed from what the nation and the Filipino want much less need. Cha cha is and never will be the answer given the current composition of the political and economic ruling elite in the country. GMA, JDV and Ramos' Cha cha is intended to cement the monopoly of big foreign business interests oevr the country's resources on the one hand; and the permanent perpetuation of control of traditional politicians in the govenrment. Pres. Arroyo is certain to be aware of the public’s sentiments regarding Cha cha, but she is now pushing for it in a desperate attempt to push her own accountability in the shade and shift the public’s attention to the debate over Cha cha," he said.

In the meantime, the veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that Mrs. Arroyo’s call for the passage of a n anti-terrorism law was something to watch out for. He said that given the increasingly militarist character of the incumbent administration, the only kind of anti-terror law Arroyo allies in the House will pass can only serve to attack the civil and human rights of Filipinos demanding Pres. Arroyos’ removal from office and the overhaul of the country’s economic and political system. He said that an anti-terror law would also serve the objectiveof charter change, as it’s already a given that should the administration insist on amending the constitution without genuine public consultation and referendum, there’ll be even bigger mass protests. "The only anti-terrorism law this government has in mind is the kind that aims to maim and mangle right to political debate, dissent and assembly," he concluded.#

NR0724:Congress' 2nd session NOT business as usual

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release
July 24, 2005

13th Congress’ 2nd session will not be business as usual; GMA allies challenged to respect the impeachment process and forward the complaint to the Senate

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s state of the nation address (SONA) tomorrow will go down in history as one of the most booed and hissed-at speeches in Philippine history. He said that the SONA is in fact serving as something like an introductory or opening arguments to the impeachment trial now looming ahead of the President. "The moment she begins her speech, we will be making note of how many lies and excuses she will be making. Mrs. Arroyo tries to keep a façade of strength and confidence, but it’s certain that she’s actually shaking in her petite shoes. Public opinion has swung exactly opposite and against her, and the reactions to the SONA will be instructive to hear," he said.

"Pres. Arroyo can try to defend herself tomorrow, but she will not be able to change anyone’s minds. Even before he tape scandal broke out, she has already committed quite a shocking number of impeachable offenses, manily undermining the Filipino people’s economic welfare and violating their civil and human rights. The electoral fraud expose is the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back," he said.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker predicted that the 13th Congress’ second session will be focused mainly on the impeachment complaint against Mrs. Arroyo. "It will not be business as usual in Congress. All other legislative measures Malacanang wants its allies in Congress to railroad will have to be put in the backburner," he said. "Not even the most staunch defenders of the president will be able to say that the corruption and fraud charges against the president are parts of some destabilization plot. If it were, the entire nation is very involved in this plot and the surveys even indicate that many are in support of it," he said.

Beltran said that that was one more reason to support the impeachment complaint: "Because of it, Malacanang’s anti-people legislative agenda will be out on hold and Filipinos will get a little reprieve from the anti-poor legislative measures that Pres. Arroyo and her allies keep railroading. "

Beltran and fellow Anakpawis solon Rafael Mariano as well as the other lawmakers of Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women’s Party are co-signatories of the impeachment complaint which will be filed in Congress first thing tomorrow morning. He said under ideal circumstances and if justice were truly allowed to apply, the complaint will be seen as more than enough to have the president impeached.

"The president swore that she will abide by the legal process of impeachment, " he said. "Now let’s see if her allies in the House will do the same and not get in the way of the impeachment process. Among the top legal brains in the country have worked on the complaint and the arguments cannot be easily dismissed. If Pres. Arroyo’s allies in the House get it into their heads to kill the complaint, there will be hell to pay, and the remaining number of Filipinos who still think the impeachment process has credibility will most likely rethink their stand and join the calls for the president’s ouster via popular people’s uprising," he said. #

NR0722:Militant solons to boycott SONA

From the Office of Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran
News Release July 22, 2005

Militant lawmakers to boycott PGMA’s SONA; says protests are also
geared against Veep Noli de Castro

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said
that he and fellow Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano and
the other solons of Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women’s
Party will not be listening to Pres. Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo’s state of the nation address (SONA)
on Monday, July 25, 2005 and instead they will be
focusing on the protest rallies outside.

“We are boycotting this year’s SONA. It will be
sickening to see and hear Mrs. Arroyo offer yet
another batch of lies, excuses and promises in person.
We will listen to her SONA alongside the Filipino
people who will gather outside Batasan denouncing her
corrupt, politically repressive and illegitimate
presidency,” he said.

“It would be more instructive to hear what the basic
sectors have to say about Pres. Arroyo’s SONA. It will
be quite difficult to stomach to witness other
lawmakers applaud Pres. Arroyo’s speech to the extent
that they will give her a standing ovation. Chances
are Pres. Arroyo, aside from offering platitudes, will
be making more promises and begging for another chance
to supposedly fulfill the mandate which she never had
in the first place. We have heard and seen enough of
Pres. Arroyo. The last four years under her leadership
has seen the Philippines plunge into deeper economic
crises, and made us rank even higher in the list of
most corrupt nations.”

He joked, however, that if Pres. Arroyo will deliver
her resignation speech on July 25 during the joint
session, he would gladly attend. “I’ll fight to get a
front-row seat and even lead the applause,” he said.

The veteran labor leader in the meantime also shared
that the anti-SONA protests were also geared against
vice-president Noli de Castro. He said that the
vice-president should also step down and put away all
ideas or illusions that he can succeed Pres. Arroyo if
and when the latter is removed from office.

“Mr. De Castro has been taking the safe side by
keeping mum on the matter, but the indisputable fact
is that he cannot become president. We cannot and
should not subject the Filipino people to five years
of his kind of lackluster but undeniably pro-big
business kind of leadership. Noli de Castro is neither
a fiscalizer nor a man with compassion and bias for
the poor and working people. If, heaven forbid,
becomes president, he will be nothing but a mouthpiece
of the electricity and water companies; controlled and
manipulated by advisers who no doubt have their own
self-serving agenda.”

Beltran said that even as Pres. Arroyo tries to put
together a new cabinet, the call for the establishment
of transition council has already caught fire.
“Already people’s organizations and anti-corruption
groups are preparing their respective platforms and
calls for economic and political reforms. Much has to
be done to undo the massive destruction Pres. Arroyo
and her liberalization, anti-national policies have
wrought the country. Filipinos are already looking
beyond Pres. Arroyo and she has been denied a second
chance. For all of Malacanang’s attempts to prop up
Pres. Arroyo’s image, her time has already run out.”#

NR0722:Ermita dared to release Order of Battle list

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin BeltranNews Release July 22, 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 dares Exec. Sec, Ermita to reveal Order of Battle List; says threats against civilians and non-combatants to ricochet against already beleaguered Arroyo government

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today sounded the alarm for various leaders of militant and progressive people’s organizations and party-lists as Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita threatens to arrest supposed communist leaders who have already surfaced and taken roles in the legal and democratic mass movement. Beltran said that Anakpawis National Political Party’s own vice-chairman Rafael Baylosis is a consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF) on comprehensive socio-economic issues as contained in the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CAHRIHL).

Baylosis was a former political prisoner under the Marcos dictatorship and was released only in 1995. After his release he became fully involved in the legal mass movement, becoming political and internal affairs secretary of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) labor center and since January 2004 Anakpawis party-list’s vice-chairman.

“Is Ermita threatening to arrest even civilians and non-combatants who are involved in the stalled peace talks? We demand that Ermita cease and desist from issuing these all-encompassing threats. The suspension of the peace negotiations between the NDF and the Macapagal-Arroyo administration is not surprising given that the Arroyo government has already taken to killing mass activists left and right, and has refused to negotiate on crucial issues concerning political and economic policy changes. Now the Arroyo government through Ermita is threatening to conduct mass arrests. We will not stand by and allow any more civilian members or leaders of open and legal mass organizations to be arrested or worse, assassinated upon orders of the Arroyo government,” he said.

Beltran dared Ermita to release the AFP’s targets among the supposed leaders and members of the NDF. “Should any violence or any kind of harm befall any of the leaders of progressive party-lists and militant people’s organizations, Ermita and Pres. Arroyo will be made to take immediate and direct responsibility. Human rights activists, labor and peasant leaders as well as leaders of church and youth groups have the same civil and human rights as ordinary civilians.”#

NR0722:YOU charges against PGMA legitimate

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin BeltranNews Release July 22, 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

Beltran says Y.O.U. charges against Macapagal-Arroyo government legitimate; calls on military rank-and-file and young officers to support civilian-led protests against corrupt and illegitimate presidency

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that if the Young Officers Union (YOU) pushes through with its declaration that it will stand to oppose the Macapagal-Arroyo administration, the YOU leaders and members should remember to keep in mind the superiority of civilian leadership. He said that the same as other sectors of Philippine society, the military especially the rank-and-file and young, still idealistic officials, have the right to express their discontent against the government’s corruption and other crimes against the Filipino people. “But they should keep in mind that the leadership of civilians in governance is primary, and the observance and respect of civil, political and human rights of all citizens can never be compromised,” he said.

Beltran said that the AFP rank-and file and young officers should stand up against their higher officials and superiors if their orders were to attack and violate the rights of civilians and the peaceful yet militant protests against the Arroyo administration. “The YOU leadership is challenged to stand up against the threats being issued the AFP leadership against civilian protests, including the threats against the safety, security and very lives of civilian demonstrators.”

The activist lawmaker said that that the YOU’s charges against the Arroyo government were legitimate and were on the level as those of people’s groups and anti-corruption watchdogs. He said, however, that the military rank-and-file and young officers also have issues to bring up against the president that are specific to their sector.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is one of the most corrupt organizations in the country, mainly because of the insufferable careerism and one-up-manship among the to-brass. The supposed orientation to serve and protect civilians and the country’s patrimony and sovereignty has been nothing but an empty slogan as the corrupt military officials cooperate with the anti-national and politically repressive rulings and campaigns of successive administrations. There can never be genuine reform and rehabilitation within the Armed forces so long as the civilian leadership that orders it is also corrupt and repressive,” he said.

Finally, he appealed to members of the YOU and members of the AFP to take a stand and support the civilian-led protests against the illegitimate presidency and help bring genuine economic and political reforms in the country. #

NR0721:Truth Commission foil to impeachment pricess

New Release
From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
July 21, 2005

Presidential Truth Commission can only serve as foil to Congressional impeachment process; Pinoys see through PGMA’s ruse

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the presidential truth commission is nothing but yet another delaying and diversionary tactic of Malacanang to deflect the public’s attention from the upcoming impeachment trial and the intensifying streets protests demanding Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s resignation and ouster.

“Pres. Arroyo has no credibility to call for the creation of a Truth Commission. Any body or organization established by Malacanang for the supposed purpose of uncovering the truth behind the president’s corruption and electoral fraud is inherently flawed and lacking in credibility. Independent institutions removed from the administration and the government institutions such as the academe, the clergy and people’s organizations can put up their own truth commissions, but Malacanang can’t. This palace-backed truth commission cannot be expected to be relentless and go hard on the president in the clear objective to unearth the truth,” he said.

Beltran said that if Malacanang pushes through with its plans for a truth commission-led investigations, the commission will serve as a foil to Congress’ own actions, particularly the impeachment process. He expressed confidence that the Filipino public will see through Malacanang’s ruse.

“The surveys are all consistent in pointing out the public’s disgust with the Arroyo presidency, and the people’s support for moves to remove her from office. The Truth Commission put up by the palace will not gain the respect or support from Filipinos because they now that the President is behind it and the results will most likely be biased for the president,’ he said. #

NR0721:PNP criminalizing anti-SONA protests

New Release
From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
July 21, 2005

PNP criminalizing anti-SONA protests by alleging NPAs to join rallies

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that if any bloodshed occurs during the anti-SONA rallies on July 25, the responsibility for rest solely on the Philippine National Police (PNP) and even the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). He said that it was the armed forces of the Macapagal-Arroyo government that that were painting a physically violent picture of the upcoming demonstrations, disseminating false and malicious information that there will be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) infiltrating the rallies.

“The PNP is doing this not only to discourage Filipinos from joining the political rallies geared against Pres. Arroyo’s lies and promises encapsulated in the SONA, but also to justify the use of excessive and even violent force against the demonstrators,” he said. “The PNP uses this tactic again and again to demonize and even criminalize the protests by alleging that NPAs are among the rallyists. The PNP leadership thinks that this will give the police the legal and moral justification to attacks the protests,” he said.

He said that over 50,000 demonstrators from the ranks of militant groups alone were expected.

Beltran said that Filipinos were actually eager to hear Macapagal-Arroyo’s SONA, “Not so much because they believe Pres.Arroyo will be saying anything new, but because they want to see and Pres. Arroyo dig a deeper hole for herself with new lies and more empty promises. What can she report to the nation and what achievements can she boast of? In her first year of illegitimate office, she and her family figured in the most shocking corruption and fraud scandals. Oil prices went sky-high, dragging costs of basic commodities and fares along with them. Employment has taken a plunge, and millions more Filipinos joined the ranks of the urban and rural poor.”

Lawmakers should join anti-SONA protests

In the meantime, Beltran enjoined fellow lawmakers to support the anti-SONA rallies and march with the various people’s organizations and anti-corruption watchdogs on the morning and early afternoon of July 25. He said that true SONA will be delivered in the streets and reported by members of the nation’s laboring sectors.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that the anti-SONA rallies will be one of the biggest demonstrations directed against Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and will also serve as an expression of support to efforts within the House of Representatives to impeach the president.

He said that even as the street protests against Pres. Arroyo continue, the support for calls for the executive’s impeachment were also significant. “The pro-administration and die-hard Arroyo allies in the House will have to think twice about throwing a monkey wrench in the way of the impeachment complaint or have it dismissed,” he said. “Pres. Arroyo herself as a delaying tactic and in the effort to pacify the public has declared that she is willing to undergo investigations even the impeachment trial. Her already diminished credibility will again take a serious beating if her allies in Congress do not immediately transmit the complaint to the Senate.”#

NR0719:Resignations result of crumbling presidency

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin BeltranNews Release July 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

Resignations to mount as SONA of excuses, apologies and empty promises near; truth commission, impeachment process serve to strengthen basis for GMA’s removal from office

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the resignation of two more officials from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s cabinet was proof-positive that the presidency was crumbling. He said that for all the brave talk and strong front being put up by Pres. Arroyo and her various spokespersons such as presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio, the fact remains that the Pres. Arroyo’s credibility is severely damaged and is already beyond salvaging.

“Pres. Arroyo had no inkling that half her cabinet officials were going to abandon her, and now the remaining stragglers are also leaving,” he said, referring to the recent resignation of Vicky Garchitorena, Corazon Guidote and Silvestre Afable. “Before long, she will be left with a skeleton of a government, regardless of how swiftly she tries to replace the officials who resigned as a result of disgust and disillusionment. After all, who want to be associated with a corrupt presidency?”

He said that Arroyo administration hangers-on such as DOLE secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas and Justice secretary Raul Gonzales were already among the most notorious officials, and while their respective resignations were not expected, he said that that the two still have a chance to redeem themselves and can begin so by turning in their papers.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that Pres. Arroyo was hanging on to the presidency by the skin of her teeth. “The countdown to her State of the Nation Address (SONA) is nearing, and so is the showdown between political forces demanding her resignation, impeachment or ouster, and those who are blindly loyal to her corrupt presidency. Never again will Pres. Arroyo be able to say that she has the Filipino people’s trust and confidence, and all her succeeding speeches and declarations will always be treated with distrust and disdain. She has no moral or legal right to continue as president.”

Beltran said that GMA’s SONA will most likely be yet another series of excuses, apologies, and empty promises. “This will be her last SONA. No one is expecting her to last until the end of the year, especially when the impeachment process begins and more of her crimes and lies against the Filipino people are exposed. The true SONA will be delivered in the streets where hundreds of thousands of Filipinos will be demanding her removal from office.”

Truth Commission, Impeachment process

Beltran said that he was not wholly against the recommendation of some quarters for the establishment of a truth commission as a parallel move to the massive street protests and the impeachment process now being begun in Congress. He said that so long as the truth commission was handled by impartial individuals and groups whose main objectives are to ferret out the truth as to the deeds of the Arroyo presidency and the genuine political and economic situation faced by majority of Filipinos, the truth commission should prove to be valuable venue for the further exposure of the corruption of the administration.

“All these steps being taken – the impeachment process, the truth commission, and most importantly the rallies and mobilizations all over the country – they serve to be important venues for debate and awakening of public awareness, involvement and concern. No matter how hard the Arroyo administration and the executive tries to explain away the accusations and charges of corruption and failure of governance, the truth will still come out. More and more Filipinos are getting involved in the process of exposing the ugliness of Philippine politics and the corruption of the economic and political system in place. Inevitably, there will be major political upheaval and Pres. Arroyo will be forced out of office,” he said.#

NR0819:Pinoys should refuse to carry or even apply for national ID

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin BeltranNews Release July 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 calls on Pinoys to refuse surrendering personal information for the National ID system as info will be used for record surveillance and monitoring

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that Filipinos should resist the moves of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration to implement the national identification system, saying that the ID system was a clear-cut attack against the rights of Filipinos to personal security and privacy. He also said that given the increasingly militarist character and actions of the Macapagal-Arroyo government, the national ID system was without doubt going to be used against the Filipino people – to curb civil dissent and protests against the incumbent president and her policies.

“Filipinos should oppose the national ID system and expose it for what it is – a lethal attack against civil, political and human right rights. The government is targeting civilians with this ID system, and its prepared to slap the label ‘insurgent,’ ‘rebel’ or ‘destabilizer’ against any Filipino who will stand his or her ground and refuse to apply for or carry this ID,” he said.

“The Arroyo government’s corruption and pro-US, anti-national foreign policies are at the core of the country’s insecurity and they pose the biggest threats against the security and well-being of Filipinos not only here but also abroad. A national ID system is without doubt a weapon of the national government to curb political dissent through civilian record monitoring and surveillance.”

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that the justifications of the government for the ID system do not wash. He said that the government wants Filipinos to surrender personal information about themselves, affiliations and even whereabouts and use this information against them whenever it suits the purposes of the government. “Who are we turning all this information to – the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), two of the most corrupt institutions in the institutions as well as the most vicious violators of civil and human rights,” he said.

“The ID system is not for the protection or defense of civilians against any threat; it’s for the protection and defense of a corrupt presidency and the political, economic system it represents. At the same time that the Arroyo government is attacking civil rights and liberties, it’s also trying to make money from the ID system. No doubt, there will be processing fees involved, and the cash-strapped government will make billions from this alone,” he said.#

NR0718:Anakpawis solons bolt majority

From the Office of Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran
News Release
July 18, 2005

Anakpawis solons to resign from the majority; differing stand on GMA resignation and Cha-cha decisive factors

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran said that he and fellow Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano have already made the decision to leave the majority bloc and become political independents in Congress. He said that the decision has been finalized at the party-level and will become effective as soon as they finalize communications with Speaker de Venecia. He said that the decision to leave the majority was long coming, and strengthened by the intensifying campaign to remove Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from Malacanang.

"But by no means does this mean that we are formally joining the minority bloc, although it is patently clear that our stands and positions on crucial economic and political issues are similar to those being taken by the honorable members of the Minority led by Rep.Francis Escudero. We prefer to be political independents but with clear and open links with various lawmakers whether from the majority or the majority when it comes to certain issues in the House and without," he said.

The veteran labor leader said that leaving the majority bloc will no doubt not come as a surprise to their colleagues in the House. "But it’s unfortunate that certain die-hard Arroyo solons have been less than diplomatic and polite in pointing out their reservations about the so-called leftist lawmakers being in the majority,’ he said . "We have been consistent in our stands – we do not oppose administration bills and resolutions merely for the sake of opposing them or because we have anything personal against the president. The consistent stand against administration bills is a result of our analysis that the bills Malacanang keeps railroading in Congress are brutally against the people’s welfare and the nation’s best interest. Our previous decision to stay with the majority bloc was for diplomatic reasons, out of respect for the leadership for Speaker de Venecia."

"It’s become apparent in the recent months, that to remain with the majority at this juncture when we are demanding the resignation of the executive and the Speaker remains steadfast in his support for her would be quite politically awkward and difficult. We are vocal in our support for the public clamor for Pres. Arroyo’s resignation, impeachment and even possible ouster via People Power; and this is serious dividing line between ourselves and the genera stand of the majority leadership. We also have clear-cut reasons for denouncing the moves and motives behind plans to amend the 1987 Constitution, and this has been a major project of the Speaker for the longest time. At this point, we cannot continue to function and perform our duties as activist lawmakers while remaining with the majority; at least not while the majority continues to take a line of blind loyalty and obedience to Pres. Arroyo despite the shocking charges of corruption and electoral fraud against her," he said.
"While we hold no personal rancor towards the Speaker and members of the majority, we will be submitting our resignation from the majority bloc at the soonest possible time."#

NR0716:Support for GMA impeachment complaint

From the Office of Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran
News Release
July 16, 2005

Militant solons to support GMA impeachment proceedings; say impeachment process serve as valuable venue to further expose GMA’s crimes against the Filipino people

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that he and fellow Anakpawis solon Rafael Mariano supports the impeachment complaint which was filed by Atty. Oliver Lozano and is now being strengthened by key members of the opposition. Beltran said that Pres.Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stands impeachable not only for perpetrating massive electoral fraud in May 2004, but for the countless disastrous policy reforms she has implemented from 2001 when she first ascended to power after EDSA 2 and up to the present.

Even as he expressed his strong doubts that the leadership of the House led by die-hard Arroyo officials Speaker Jose de Venecia and majority leader Prospero Nograles would really make it easy for the complaint to pass through the appropriate committees and then transmitted to the Senate, he said that the deliberations on the complaint will nonetheless prove a valuable venue for exposing the various crimes of the Macapagal-Arroyo presidency against the Filipino people. "Again and again and again Pres. Arroyo betrayed the mandate she did not even have the right to claim as hers," he said. "From Day One, Pres. Arroyo’s allegiance was not to the Filipino people and her mission was not to lift them from poverty, but to make sure that their financial and political backers got their money’s worth from supporting her," he said.

Beltran said that even as the protests and rallies against the president continue to grow and spread even in the regions and provinces, militant groups and anti-corruption organizations will also support the impeachment complain. "As was the case during the impeachment deliberations against former Pres. Estrada, the Filipino people will be keeping a gimlet eye on the proceedings. Pres. Arroyo’s crimes against the people are much worse than those perpetrated even by her predecessor. The entire nation has become more politicized and generally more determined to seek out solutions to presidential corruption," he said.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that if most Filipinos support calls for the impeachment complaint, then this will also serve to strengthen the demonstrations. "The calls for the president’s impeachment compliment and strengthen the calls for her resignation and even ouster. All three calls essentially mean the same thing: the Filipino people want Macapagal-Arroyo out of Malacanang at the soonest possible time. And should administration allies in the House and Senate further prove their loyalty to Pres. Arroyo through the most infamous means such as sabotaging the impeachment proceedings, causing its delay or even outrightly dismissing on the flimsiest technical bases, more Filipinos will join the protests. All in all, we are getting what we want: for Filipinos to unite to kick out an illegitimate and corrupt presidency," he concluded.#

NR0714: On Tiglaos' redbaiting and pro-GMA rallies on Saturday

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release July 14, 2004

Tiglao’s red-baiting threatens safety of anti-Arroyo
protestors; Saturday pro-GMA rallies a parody of the
people’s genuine sentiments

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today slammed
anew Presidential Management Staff chief Rigoberto
Tiglao, saying that the latter was again resorting to
red-baiting in his attempts to discredit the massive
anti-Arroyo protests. Tiglao has been quoted as saying
that many of the participants of yesterday’s
successful Ayala rallies demanding Pres. Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo’s resignation and removal from office
were ‘communist rabble-rousers.’

Beltran said that Tiglao’s communist labeling of the
participants can and most likely will be used by the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and not just the
Philippine National Police (PNP) to justify the use of
violent force against the protestors.

"Tiglao has communists on the brain. He is constantly
preoccupied with them, so much so that every rallyist
he sees he automatically calls communist," he said.
"This is clearly an attempt on the part of Tiglao and
his boss Pres. Arroyo to demonize the protests. On the
one hand, we have justice secretary Raul Gonzales
issuing threats of sedition against those who protest
and speak out against Pres. Arroyo, and on the other
hand, there’s Tiglao saying the protests are
communist-led. Between these two, the reputation of
the Arroyo administration as a politically repressive
government is affirmed time and again" he said.

In the meantime, the veteran labor leader said that
the demonstrations scheduled by pro-administration
lawmakers and groups on Saturday will only be a show
of hypocrisy and a betrayal of the public’s interests.

"The administration and its allies will again be
dipping into public funds to steamroll these supposed
displays of support for the corrupt and illegitimate
administration of Pres. Arroyo. Their rallies will be
a grotesque parody of genuine expressions of the
public’s sentiments. Die-hard pro-Arroyo lawmakers
have essentially served as foot-soldiers of the
administration, passing legislative measures and laws
that reflect the anti-poor and anti-people economic
and political agenda of the executive. Filipinos have
long been subjected to laws that attack their economic
welfare and endanger the very survival of millions,
among them the infamous tax measures so recently
rail-roaded by Arroyo’s allies in Congress."

Beltran said that he has no doubt that the Saturday
pro-GMA rallies will not convince the public of Pres.
Arroyo’s right to remain president, much less her
sincerity to serve the people. "What alternatives are
the pro-Arroyo die-hards giving the public – more
years of corrupt, inept and politically-repressive
leadership under Macapagal-Arroyo? They keep citing
the rule of law, but Pres. Arroyo herself is a massive
law-breaker, and the corruption charges against her
and members of her own family are numerous," he
concluded.#

NR0713:Cory in a shouting match with GMA?

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release July 13, 2005

Loss of "Cory Magic" a challenge to Mrs. Aquino; alleged ‘shouting match’ with Pres. Arroyo not surprising given the latter’s temper

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that former president Corazon C. Aquino should rise to the challenge of president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s refusal to resign, and for Mrs. Aquino to speak more actively against the corruption and illegitimacy of the latter. Beltran said that the view that Mrs. Aquino has lost her political clout and influence has basis, given that Mrs. Aquino for the longest time has been out of the limelight. He also said that public respect and perception of her has been affected by her stand on the Hacienda Luisita Massacre where seven farmworkers were slain by members of the police and military.

"Mrs. Aquino’s call for president Arroyo’s resignation is valid and remains to be so. She should not let up on her stand against Pres. Arroyo and contribute to the continuously growing protests by joining them and speaking out. The political polarization has begun and public opinion is moving more determinedly against Pres. Arroyo, and so Mrs. Aquino should be more empathic is her calls for the resignation of the incumbent executive," he said.

Beltran said that there were reports that Pres. Arroyo in a previous dialogue with Mrs. Aquino yelled at the widow when the latter asked her to step down from office in the name of the Filipino people. According to reports, Pres. Arroyo yelled at Mrs. Aquino, saying "Who are you to tell me to resign?!".

"This isn’t surprising behavior for Pres. Arroyo. She is well-known for her short fuse and uneasy temper. This is why an overwhelming number of Filipinos doubted her sincerity when she said she was sorry over the tape scandal that broke out exposing her poll fraud," he said.

"Pres. Arroyo does not even have an ounce of respect for the Filipino people whom she disenfranchised and whose vote she stole in the May 2004 elections, how can she have respect for a single individual, nevermind that it’s Cory Aquino? All the more reason is this to demand for her resignation. She is an executive who has no moral much less legal authority to lead, and she has abused her powers to worsen the poverty of millions of Filipinos while enriching the business elite,’ he said.#

NR0713:No to military take-over, no to junta

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release July 13, 2005

Solon warns against plans of military take-over;
says civilian leadership must remain supreme in government

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that efforts must be exerted to ensure that the military and police powers do not take advantage of the escalating crisis surrounding strong demands for Pres. Gloria Macapagall-Arroyo to resign or be ousted from office. Beltran said that reports were rife that a military-led take-over was being hatched, and that influential members of the military were closely coordinating with certain former government officials in a plan for take-over.

"At all costs, any attempts of the military to grab power and take-over the government should be strongly opposed. Civilian rule and supremacy over the government should never be shaken. A military take-over would mean a possible return to martial law, and thus the brutal curtailment of civil, political and human rights of Filipinos. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its highest officials have a record of innumerable human rights violations and disregard for civil rights. At no point in this escalating political crisis that the country is undergoing should the military be allowed to take over," he said.

The veteran labor leader turned legislator said that church institutions, schools, human rights organizations and other civilian, mass-based groups should declare their stand against any military take-over or the establishment of a military junta. He said that there were already strong signs that elements of the military were waiting to cut in and steal the leadership from the civilian movement seeking to cleanse the government from the corrupt and illegitimate presidency of Macapagal-Arroyo.

"For one thing, former president and military strong man Fidel V. Ramos has all but taken over the helm of Malacanang. He is now the top adviser of Pres. Arroyo, and his links to the military are unshakeable. For another, there are other groups led by former men in uniform who are eager to jump into the fray and project themselves as the alternative to Pres. Arroyo. Their most compelling and most threatening argument is that they have the backing of the military," he said.

Beltran said that the broadening protests against Macapagal-Arroyo will not let up and continue to strengthen until Macapagal-Arroyo is forced to resign or is ousted from power. "There is no other way to resolve this. There is no turning back," he said. #

NR0712:GMA's cha-cha cure-all is poison

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

PGMA, De Venecia’s cure-all of Cha-cha not the
solution to political crisis; Filipinos demand change
in leadership, not recycling

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said
that reports that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is
seriously considering suggestions that Congress
convene into a constituent assembly to fast-track
constitutional reforms and supposedly defuse the
political crisis.

“Nothing else will satisfy the Filipino people but the
resignation of Pres. Arroyo. There is no remedy to
this kind of political crisis but the removal of the
corrupt and illegitimate president; after all, the
president herself is the main reason why the country
is in an uproar and the economy is sliding faster and
faster downhill,” he said.

“Pres. Arroyo and her remaining allies as well as her
Rasputin of an adviser Fidel Ramos are direly mistaken
if they think that Charter Change is what will solve
the country’s problems. The alternative PGMA and her
allies are proposing is no alternative at all, but a
rehashed, recycled proposal that has already been
rejected time and again. The merger or unity of the
ruling parties is of no essential use to the Filipino
and they care nothing for it. The strong demand is for
a change in leadership, an end to the corrupt and
illegitimate Macapagal-Arroyo presidency. We don’t
want Arroyo resurrected into a prime minister or as
any kind of executive. We want her out of Malacanang,
and that’s that,” he said.

The veteran labor leader turned legislator said that
that Congress will not be able to convene into a
Constituent assembly any time soon, despite efforts of
Speaker Jose de Venecia and other die-hard
pro-administration solons.

“Charter Change seems to be the cure-all
Macapagal-Arroyo and Speaker de Venecia are offering
the people. But it’s poison and not medicine, and
Filipinos will reject it outright.”

“This solution is definitely a whopping non-sequitur
answer to the current political crisis. Filipinos will
not be buying much less supporting whatever economic
reforms Congress and Malacanang are planning to push
via Cha-cha. The brand of reforms and economic
programs Macapagal-Arroyo and her allies are pushing
have already been tried, and the impact has been
disastrous. Their brand of economics continue to wreak
unprecedented havoc in the lives and livelihood of
millions of Filipinos. Pres. Arroyo has been inutile
and useless in stopping electricity rates and oil
prices from going up. The one million jobs she
promised have gone up in smoke, and the quality of
life of the poor continues to deteriorate.”

“We don’t want recycled leaders, bureaucrats and
so-called economic experts to continue at the helm of
this country’s government. Filipinos have had enough
of their disgustingly rotten leadership and twisted
economic programs that serve to enrich the already
wealthy and drive the poor to even more miserable
levels of poverty and degradation.

“The only way the country can begin to heal is if
Filipinos are rid of corrupt, power-greedy officials
like Macapagal-Arroyo. The longer she remains in
power, the worse the political and economic situation
will be,” he said. #

NR0711:On CBCP's support for GMA; Council of Unity

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin BeltranNews Release July 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
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CBCP isolating self from its flock, abetting PGMA’s sins against the people; Council of Unity to decide transition president and call for special elections

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the decision of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to reject calls for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was a disappointment, and will inevitably cause the institution’s isolation from the people.

“It’s an extreme disappointment that the CBCP has chosen to stand by Pres. Arroyo when the rest of the nation is aligning themselves against her corrupt and illegitimate administration. By opposing calls for the removal of a corrupt presidency, the leadership of the CBCP is abetting Pres. Arroyo’s sins against the Filipino people. Apart from stealing the people’s mandate in the last elections, Pres. Arroyo has implemented and continues to implement economic programs that maim and mangle the welfare and livelihood of millions of Filipinos. Politically, Pres. Arroyo has lost all credibility and legitimacy to lead; her record of leadership is full of black marks,” he said.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker in the meantime expressed strong opposition to the CBCP’s stand against the creation of a transitory council of leadership. “What do these Church leaders want – more of the same kind of leadership? They want to subject the Filipino people to more years of exploitation, corruption and political repression? A complete break-away from the rotten-to-core system of governance is what will help this nation on the way to recovery and renewal,” he said.

“The feasibility of a patriotic and the democratic council of leaders to ensure that this time the interests and participation of the masses and middle strata in governance. It will represent all the effective forces that worked for the removal of Pres. Arroyo from power. It will be chosen by a people’s congress upon GMA’s resignation and the people’s rejection of Noli de Castro as successor.”

Beltran gave flesh to the Council of Unity, saying that its members will chosen by a people’s congress and by acclamation. “The members of this Council will then choose by consensus the transition head of state and will set the time for a special elections within an immediate period. “This council will also begin to carry out basic reforms to rebuild the economy ravaged by liberalization policies and uplift the life of impoverished Filipinos, promote democracy, national freedom and unity.”

The activist lawmaker reiterated his strong stand against vice-president Noli de Castro as GMA’s successor.“Mr. de Castro cannot succeed GMA. To allow him to become president would be akin to hitting our own heads against the hardest walls. He is simply not qualified for the task – he would be yet another lame-duck president who will be controlled and manipulated by various advisers whose loyalties are not to the Filipino people but to big business interests and the economic elite,” he said.

“The vice-president has not been in office for one year, but he has not made any definitive stand on issues affecting the Filipino people such as the oil price hikes, the electricity rate increases, widespread joblessness, and even the intensifying political repression and militarization in the provinces. We cannot expect any miracles from Noli de Castro. He has neither the political will, ability and decisiveness to be an effective leader and help this country make an 180-degree turn,” he said.#

NR0710 Amboy saves Amgirl

From the Office ofAnakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran
July 10, 2005

"Amboy’ Ramos saves "Amgirl Gloria" in bid to insinuate self in highest office of the land

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that former president FidelV.Ramos has self-serving political reasons as to why he has come to the rescue of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He said that the ex-president was keen on involving himself once more in the intensifying political developments in the country because he wants to return to power – even vicariously.

"Ramos has always credited and shown himself to be a mentor to Macapagal-Arroyo, and the latter for her part has been consistent on taking Ramos’ advice Both are certifiable allies of US political and economic interests in the country, with Ramos being an ‘Amboy’ proud of having gone to Westpoint, while Macapagal-Arroyois constantly harping on being a graduate of Georgetown University and a former classmate of ex-president Bill Clinton. The Amboy and Amgirl are now teaming up in a campaign to resist the Filipino people’s demand for a change in leadership," he said.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that the Ramos and Arroyo were like two peas in a pod. "When Ramos was in power, he was the main proponent of economic liberalization policies that opened the country to the plunder of opportunist foreign investors. These same policies of deregulation, liberalization and privatization are the ones that form the cornerstone of Macapagal-Arroyo’s economic programs."

"Both are also proponents of foreign policies that compromise and even violate the country’s sovereignty and independence laws."

Beltran pointed out that ex-president Ramos does not carry as much political clout as he used to, and he is, in fact, already a spent political force. "Many Filipinos have not forgotten the dismal failure of Ramos’ Philippines 2000 program, and Ramos’ involvement in the corrupt business arrangement with independent power producers (IPPS) that plunged the country into a series of nationwide blackouts and, up to now, ensure that electricity rates are still anomalous and exorbitantly high."

"Ramos is not in a position to say who should or shouldn’t lead this country. He has had his turn at the wheel and he drove the country towards the path of economic ruin. Whatever his reasons for supporting Pres. Arroyo at this juncture can only be self-serving in nature. He must have ulterior motives for doing this, and these motives will be no doubt revealed in the coming days. He wants another turn at the bat, and we won’t allow that. He already struck out."

"As for Pres. Arroyo, if it’s only the likes of Ramos who’s standing by her, then she’s certainly doomed. She should resign now and make things easier for herself. The entire nation is uniting against her and demanding her immediate removal from Malacanang. She should at least make at attempt at an honorable exit and resign now."#

NR0708:Resignation as public service

From the Office of Anakpawis Representative Crispin B. Beltran
News Release July 8, 2005

Pres. Arroyo's resignation is public's demand; resignation of cabinet officials a service to the Filipino people.

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the resignation of members of the Macapagal-Arroyo admninistration was a sure sign that the incumbent admnistration was falling apart at the seams and that it was only a matter of time before the executive.
"As for her cabinet officials who resigned, they have done so at a most critical time. Their resignation can be considered as their service to the Filipino people. If they continued to serve the Macapagal-Arroyo admnistration, they would only be proppping up an executive that has completely lost its credibility."

"At this juncture, resignation is an honorable step. These cabinet officials who step down should be followed by their former colleagues who remain loyal to Pres. Arroyo."#
"Pres. Arroyo should resign now. She is only digging a deeper hole for herself the longer she struggles to stay in power," he said. "By refusing to listen to the public clamor and her stubborn denial of the accusations that hers is an illegitimate and anti-people presidency, she is all the more ensuring her place in the roster of the Philippines' and even the world's most notorious, power-hungry presidents."

Beltran said that it was also laughable the way Pres. Arroyo demanded the resignation of her cabinet officials when the clamor is for her own resignation. "She is not making sacrificial lambs of her cabinet officials because the resignation of the secretaries is not the demand of the public outraged by deep-seated corruption in and illegitimate leadership of the Macapagal-Arroyo presidency. It's the president who should remove herself from office."

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that the president is mistaken if she thinks that by cleaning out her cabinet she will be able to regain the public's trust and confidence."No matter how many times she recycles her officials and project her willingness and determination to initiate economic reforms, the fact remains that her constituency is against her and is demanding her resignation and removal from power."#

NR0708: Conclusion of tale of the tapes nearing

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release July 8, 2005

Real and first hand source of tapes to remain a mystery for now; inevitable conclusion of the Tale of the Tapes nearing

Anakpawis Rep.Crispin Beltran today said that former Senator Francisco Tatad's revelation that he was the source of the controversial "Hello, Garci" tapes opens a whole new mystery. He said that the former senator's testimony that he does not who delivered the tapes to his office was yet another mystery that for the meantime will perhaps remain unsolved, "But all the same, the Filipino people are grateful to the source of the tapes, as well as to former Sen. Tatad and Atty. Alan Paguia for coming forward and exposing the tapes and its contents to the public."

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker, however, offered some of his theories as to who the possible main sources of the tapes are. "It's quite likely that the tapes were made by disgruntled and disgusted members of the intelligence units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or the Philippine National Police.

"The AFP and other state institutions dealing with security and defense are the only institutions capable of pulling off such a stunt. It's not likely that these elements who tapped into the shocking negotiations between the President and Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano wil surface anytime soon, but all the same, what they did was also a service to the Filipino people's fight against a presidency with corruptm fascist and anti-poor record," he said.
He added that the testimony of NBI director Wycoco that the NBI was in possession of wire-tapping equipment strengthens his theory. "We cannot discount the strong possibility that Wycoco is still not saying the whole exact truth that the equipment was non-functional. That's a pretty transparent and convenient excuse to remove blame and responsibility from the NBI. Wycoco's arguments might seem clean-cut on the surface, but the fact remains that there are also countless loopholes on them.'

FInally, Beltran said that the tale of the tapes was heading towards an inevitable conclusion -that of Pres. Arroyo's removal from power. "The tide of public opinion has turned against Pres. Arroyo, and there is no saving her now. It's only a matter of time before she steps down. For her sake, she should resign now and not wait for yet another popular uprising to remove her from power. Immense political difficulties are still up ahead for Pres. Arroyo as the laying down of charges against her for electoral fraud are being mulled. Resignation will at least save her from the indignity of being ousted."

NR0707:Gma's ratings beyond salvation; KGMA group's funds questioned

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release July 7, 2005

GMA's credibility and trust ratings beyond salvation;
funding of KGMA group questionable

Anakpawis Representative Crsipin Beltran today said
that the latest Pulse Asia survey on the public's
sentiments regarding Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
were not surprising. Pulse Asia described the
President's 46 percent disapproval rating as
"unprecedentedly high" and her distrust rating (53
percent) "record breaking."

"The widespread dissemination of the tapes recording
Pres. Arroyo's poll fraud campaign in 2004 is partly
reponsible for this. More and more Filipinos since the
public release of the tapes and their airing through
the media have become increasingly convinced that the
incumbent presidency is illegal and illegitimate,
apart from being anti-poor. Clearly, the president's
'sorry' was not good enough for most Filipinos. The
demand for her resignation and removal from office
grows stronger everyday."

Beltran said that the sentiments of most Filipinos
against the President were also founded on the
president's failure to provide jobs and improve
economic conditions. He said that the successive
series of oil price hikes and the increases in
electricity rates also contribute to public outrage
directed against the president.

"Public trust and confidence in the president is at an
all-time low, and this is something she will not be
able to recover from. The attacks now being levelled
against members of the opposition especially House
minority leader Francis Escudero will not divert the
public's attention from the crimes and controversies
involving the president and her family. Rep.
Escudero's popularity ratings are without doubt much,
much higher than the presidents or any other members
of her cabinet and pro-admnistration lawmakers."

KGMA group's funding questioned

In the meantime, the veteran labor leader turned
lawmaker called attention to the high=profile campaign
of pro-GMA groups such as the KGMA organization who
have been putting up expensive tarpouline
material-streamers as well as glossy posters all over
the metropolis .

Beltran said that for a supposed grass-roots
organization, the KGMA group clearly has a lot of
funds going around. He also said that most of the
supposed pro-GMA rallyists attending the
congressional hearings have also been monitored to be
for hire or 'hakot."

"Where is this group getting all its money? Rallyists
are reportedly being paid P100-P200 a day. The posters
and streamers are all made of expensive material, and
are all over Manila and Quezon City. Is the group
receiving funding from the govenrment itself? If so,
this is another case of corruption -- misuse of public
funds."

Beltran said that he will file a resolution calling
for investigations into the KGMA group to discover the
source of its funding.#

NR0708: Pro-GMA camp's counter-attacks futile

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release July 07, 2005

Garcillano, PGMA handlers' counter-accusations against
the opposition mere diversionary tactics; GMA's days
in office numbered

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said
that it was evident that Comelec commissioner Virgilio
Garcillano was not allowed to speak to the media
previously because Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo's political
handlers and spin-doctors were hatching a
counter-attack plan against the offensive of the
president's critics.

"Clearly the game plan is to discredit the opposition
and to slander them with the same accusations that
they also spoke with Garcillano during the height of
the May 2004 elections," he said. "The president's
tacticians are crossing their fingers that the mud
that now sticks like glue to the president will also
stick to members of the opposition whose names are now
being dragged in the electoral fraud mess."

"This is a diversionary tactic that will inevitably
fail. Garcillano's credibility, like the president's,
is not to be believed. He kept his silence for the
longest time and the playing of the tapes has revealed
his most damning communications are with the
president."

Beltran said that pro-administration solons should not
yet heave a sigh of relief. "Their president is not
safe yet, and her days in Malacañang are already
numbered. Other politicians and candidates whose names
Garcillano are now deliberately dropping with the
intent to discredit them can clear their own names and
state what truly transpired - if anything did- in
their alleged talks with Garcillano. Public attention
is still focused on the president. She is the highest
executive of the land, and her blatant disregard for
the law is what's gotten most Filipinos outraged."

"And what's more, if latest surveys are correct, a
massive 61% percent of Filipinos are of the opinion
that the country would be better off without Pres.
Arroyo at the helm. Pres. Arroyo is a lame-duck
president, and she's hanging on to her position by the
skin of her teeth. The protests against her will
continue to escalate despite all attempts to pacify
the public and to divert the public's attention to the
members of the opposition who also allegedly committed
the same crime as the president.

Finally, the veteran labor leader turned legislator
said that the attacks of pro-Arroyo solons against
Minority leader Francis Escudero were pathetic.
"Clearly, Rep. Escudero is something of a difficult
handful for the pro-Arroyo lawmakers and so they're
focusing their coordinated attacks against him. Rep.
Escudero's credibility can and will survive these
attacks intact. His explanations are more believable
than any of all the excuses made by the president."#

NR0707:GMA's counter-attacks diversionary in nature

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release July 7, 2005

Garcillano, PGMA handlers' counter-accusations against the opposition mere diversionary tactics; GMA's days in office numbered

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that it was evident that Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcillano was not allowed to speak to the media previously because Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo's political handlers and spin-doctors were hatching a counter-attack plan against the offensive of the president's critics.

"Clearly the game plan is to discredit the opposition and to slander them with the same accusations that they also spoke with Garcillano during the height of the May 2004 elections," he said. "The president's tacticians are crossing their fingers that the mud that now sticks like glue to the president will also stick to members of the opposition whose names are now being dragged in the electoral fraud mess."

"This is a diversionary tactic that will inevitably fail. Garcillano's credibility, like the president's, is not to be believed. He kept his silence for the longest time and the playing of the tapes has revealed his most damning communications are with the president."

Beltran said that pro-adminsitration solons should not yet heave a sigh of relief. "Their president is not safe yet, and her days in Malacanang are already numbered. Other politicians and candidates whose names Garcillano are now deliberately dropping with the intent to dsicredit them can clear their own names and state what truly tarnspired - if anything did- in their alleged talks with Garcillano. Public attention is still focused on the president. She is the highest executive of the land, and her blatant disregard for the law is what's gotten most Filipinos outraged."

"And what's more, if latest surveys are correct, a massive 61% percent of Filipinos are of the opinion that the country would be better off without Pres. Arroyo at the helm. Pres. Arroyo is a lame-duck president, and she's hanging on to her position by the skin of her teeth. The protests against her will continue to escalate despite all attempts to pacify the public and to divert the public's attention to the members of the opposition who also allegedly committed the same crime as the president.

Finally, the veteran labor leader turned legislator said that the attacks of pro-Arroyo solons against Minority leader Francis Escudero were pathetic. "Clearly, Rep. Escudero is something of a difficult handful for the pro-Arroyo lawmakers and so they're focusing their coordinated attacks against him. Rep. Escudero's credibility can and will survive these attacks intact. His explanations are more believable than any of all the excuses made by the president."#

NR0706:Garci's admission; truth commission

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release July 06, 2005

Garcillano’s conversations/negotiations with PGMA a
separate matter from his phonecalls with other
candidates

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said
that the admission of Mindanao Comelec commissioner
Virgilio Garcillano’s admission that he talked with
Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the height of the
May presidential elections was sufficient grounds to
compel Pres. Arroyo to step down.

“Commissioner Garcillano is trying to justify his
phonecalls with Pres. Arroyo as ordinary and that they
had no bearing on the results on the elections. Who is
he fooling? He has been with the Comelec for a
sufficient number of years and its highly improbable
that he doesn’t know that it’s illegal to communicate
with candidates during the vote-counting process lest
the communication be construed as influence peddling,”
he said. “And in whatever case, ignorance of the law
never excused anyone.”

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that
Commissioner Garcillano should not be allowed to leave
the country and even placed under Congress’ protective
custody. He is a key player in this electoral fraud
mystery, Beltran said.

“The conversations that Garcillano supposedly had with
other candidates such former Sen. Loren Legarda and
Minority leader Francis Escudero are different from
the conversations he had with Pres. Arroyo. On the
tapes, it was evident that Pres. Arroyo was not so
much concerned with election fraud as she was ordering
its implementation, and the advantage she wanted was
at least one million votes. Commissioner Garcillano
should be questioned mainly on the issue of his
controversial communications, and one could even say
his negotiations, with the highest executive of the
land,” he said.

Establishing a Truth Commission

In the meantime, the veteran labor leader turned
lawmaker said that the truth commission being proposed
by certain universities and institutions can
contribute to the public debate and could produce
positive results for the Filipino people’s campaign to
remove an illegitimate presidency.

“There is no doubt in my mind that a public debate on
the electoral fraud perpetrated by the president with
the help of Comelec commissioner Garcillano can only
do good, so long as it’s not Pres. Arroyo and her spin
doctors behind them. The greater number of Filipinos
involved and talking about this national issue, the
better. It shows a growing political maturity,
especially among the Filipino youth whose futures are
at stake,” he said.

“A truth commission that is completely independent of
Malacanang and its die-hard allies can contribute
positively to the debate. The facts of the issue and
the evidence that’s being exposed as the congressional
investigations on the tapes are sufficient to convince
many of Pres. Arroyo’s guilt. But more than the
electoral fraud involving the president, the Truth
Commission of schools such as the University of Sto.
Tomas should also delve into the heavier crimes
perpetrated by the president against the Filipino
people, mainly that of severely undermining the
economic welfare of the poor sectors by allowing
successive oil price hikes and increases in
electricity rates.” #

NR0706:Impeaching GMA and the military

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release July 06, 2005

Impeachment, resignation or ouster: by whichever
means, the illegitimate and corrupt presidency will be
removed

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said
that Malacanang was putting up by a brave front by
saying that it was not afraid of impeachment raps and
that the president is actually welcoming the challenge
because she will be given a chance to explain her side
in the process.

“Impeachment, forced resignation, ouster. By whatever
means, this illegitimate presidency should be removed
from power and the swift-moving developments in the
country’s politics will determine which means will
prove most effective. Without doubt, opinion makers
and the rest of the Philippine public are thinking
beyond the Macapagal-Arroyo administration and making
their minds as to who will succeed her,” he said.

“Pres. Arroyo can give all her excuses, explanations
and apologies, but none will suffice. Filipinos have
long been united in their opposition against the
Macapagal-Arroyo administration even before the May
2004 elections because she has proven herself inept in
providing relief against the electricity rate hikes,
mass unemployment and incessant oil price increases.
Now that this issue of electoral fraud has been fully
exposed, the lasts straw against Pres. Arroyo has been
drawn. Congress clearly does not have the political
will to impeach her; Pres. Arroyo herself is much too
power-greedy and self-centered to resign, so the only,
remaining, logical option is for her ouster,” he said.

“Lawlessness and vicious disrespect of civil and human
rights abound in Philippine society precisely because
of the corrupt system of governance that’s in place.
High ranking government officials have no compunction
against committing acts of corruption and treason
against the economic and political sovereignty of this
nation. A popular, mass-based and broadly-supported
uprising of the people is what will serve as catalyst
time and again to change and overhaul this system.
Pres. Arroyo chose to ignore the lessons EDSA 1 and
EDSA 2, and now she will learn these same lessons the
hard and painful way.”

The meddling of the military in the May Polls

The veteran labor leader said that yet another
allegation has been proven as the truth in the course
of investigations into the controversial “Hello,
Garci?” tapes, and this was the involvement of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the elections
and its results.

“Again, the AFP has proven itself to be an institution
directly working against the will of the Filipino
people, allowing itself to be the enforcers of
electoral fraud and violence. The top brass of the AFP
might change, but the corruption in the organization
remains and even worsens. For the first time in recent
Philippine history, the role of the military in
maintaining a corrupt political status quo has been
irrefutably exposed” he said.

“Because of the involvement of the AFP, millions of
votes of progressive candidates including those from
party-lists have been disregarded and the voters
disenfranchised. The exercise of democracy that is
supposed to the elections has been turned into a show
of fascist force and authoritarian manipulation,” he
said. “The young rank and file members of the AFP are
justified in their anger and outrage against the
betrayal of their superior commanding officers. Their
idealism is wasted in such an institution. For the
sake of the Filipino people, we hope however that they
respect the civilian authority and since their faith
and trust in the Macapagal-Arroyo administration has
been betrayed, they should instead pledge their
support to the democratic and legal mass movement that
aims to remove the illegitimate presidency from
power,” he said. #

NR0704:On FG's return, Sen, Joker's comments

News Release
July 4, 2005
From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran

FG Arroyo should not be allowed to leave country again until jueteng investigations are finished

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the return of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo to the country was a welcome development. "Now that he has returned, he can face the jueteng and other corruption charges against him squarely. He should never have been allowed to leave in the first place, given the gravity of the charges against him and other members of the First Family."

"No one really believed this melodramatic explanations that he left the country last week to help soften the blows against his wife the President. In fact, rumors are rife that he left for Hong Kong last week so he can meet with other jueteng lords and other top honchos of the underground jueteng network and come up with a gameplan on how to kill the investigations and clean whatever paper trail remains," he said.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that the First Gentleman’s passport should be put on hold pending investigations. "It’s not at all unlikely that the First Gentleman is already in the midst of plans on how to extricate himself from the jueteng mess, and he’s consolidating efforts abroad," he added. "He, his son Mikey and brother Iggy Arroyo have not been able to clear themselves in the investigations, and they have so far merely been trading accusations with whistleblower Sandra Cam. What’s really missing is the clear political determination of the Senate to get to the bottom of the jueteng scandal and recommend punitive actions against the likes of the First Gentleman."



Sen. Joker Arroyo’s comments disappointing

In the meantime, Beltran said that Senator Joker Arroyo’s reaction to the political developments concerning strong public calls for the removal of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from office is disappointing, "to say the least."

"This kind of reaction from such a well-respected and highly regarded anti-corruption and human rights champion is a disappointment," Beltran said, referring to the negative comments of Sen. Arroyo against the Opposition and the mainstream Left movement, both of whom are calling for the resignation and ouster of the president on the grounds of corruption and betrayal of the people’s mandate.

"The people expect more from Sen. Arroyo – in fact, many are expecting his support and championing of the cause to clean the government of corruption and the cleansing of the presidency through the removal of an illegitimate presidency," he said. "It’s surprising that Sen. Arroyo does not see it fit to support these calls, considering that he, of all people, is one who has had a history of battling against corruption and attacks against the economic and political welfare of the Filipino people."

"We hope that Sen. Arroyo will still change his mind and stand with the people on this national issue. The fight for the removal of this corrupt presidency has still ways to go, and Sen. Arroyo’s help would be of valuable assistance. He has proven time and again that he has the Filipino people’s interests at heart. He should not disappointment them this time," he said.#