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."#