NR0830: killing the impeachment complaint

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


No rest or sighs of relief for PGMA and allies even if they succeed in killing the impeachment complaint

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that Pres.Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her allies in Congress will still not be allowed to heave sighs of relief even if they succeed in junking the impeachment complaint against Arroyo. He said that anti-impeachment lawmakers were acting extremely against the will of the people and their stand that the corrupt and illegitimate president be immediately replaced. Latest independent surveys point out that 80% of Filipinos interviewed were unanimous in supporting impeachment moves versus Arroyo.

“Mrs. Arroyo and her allies are only fanning the flames of disquiet with their underhanded moves to dismiss the impeachment complaint,” he said.

“They’re pushing the Filipino people to take more definitive and decisive action in the form of public protests and demonstrations. They will have no one to blame but themselves.”

“They should not be allowed to forget that they have colluded in the most shameless way to kill a very legitimate impeachment complaint, and they have done so using the weakest, restrictive legal technicalities.”

“They have colluded to block the truth from being fully exposed to the public, and by doing so they themselves have betrayed their duties as public servants to stand against crime and corruption in government. By refusing to hear the evidence proving her corruption and other abuses, and by aiding and supporting Macapagal-Arroyo in her bid to kill the impeachment complaint, they have also become indirect party to the impeachable offenses she is being accused of.”

“(anti-impeachment solons) They have proven themselves to be fully in the pocket of a corrupt and illegitimate presidency, further exposing the hypocrisy in assertions that the legislative branch is an independent institution from the executive.”

Beltran said that even if Macapagal-Arroyo survives the impeachment process and kills the impeachment complaint against her, she will never be able to recover and public opinion will continue to turn against her. “Even without going through an impeachment trial, Macapagal-Arroyo continues to expose herself to be a corrupt and inept leader. Even as she asserts her claim to the presidency, most Filipinos are convinced that she became president only through massive cheating.

Electoral fraud is only one of the impeachable offenses she can committed, and the others are much more serious as their impact on the lives and welfare of the poor majority continue to worsen every day.”

Beltran said that the relentless oil price hikes, plunging value of the peso and the increasing poverty and unemployment levels which Macapagal-Arroyo has failed to arrest are issues that will ensure Macapagal-Arroyo’s ouster.

“The end is already in sight for this corrupt administration. Unless she declares martial law and unleashes the full power of the military against a restive public, she will not survive this recent crisis,”he said.#

NR0831 Lozano, Marcoleta should explain

August 31, 2005
PGMA and allies made a mockery of the impeachment
process

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said
that Alagad Party-list Rodante Marcoleta and Atty.
Lozano should give explanations regarding the supposed
‘rigged’ impeachment complaint they filed and
endorsed respectively. Beltran said that the
possibility that Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has in
fact colluded with two aforementioned individuals in
filing an impeachment complaint against the former
exposes how the process of impeachment itself and the
rules governing it are inherently flawed and biased in
favor of public officials, especially the executive.

“Rep. Marcoleta and Atty. Lozano stand to be accused
of deliberately sabotaging the impeachment process and
maliciously making a mockery of it. The accusations
that the impeachment process was rigged from day 1 are
serious. It would be better for them to provide
explanations. Had they, indeed, allowed themselves to
be PGMA’s henchmen in filing and endorsing a
fraudelent impeachment complaint?”

“Instead of being an instrument for justice, the
impeachment process when handled and manipulated by
the ruling clique and the incumbent administration
becomes an added protection for the accused. Ideally,
impeachment is supposed to work in service of the
common people’s quest for justice against corruption
– a safeguard against abuse of authority and
betrayal of trust incumbent in public office. But now,
given recent revelations that Pres. Arroyo herself is
behind the impeachment complaint filed by Atty. Oliver
Lozano, it’s been exposed that for the most part,
the impeachment process is nothing but a game of
numbers. The true intent and objective has become
mangled and twisted by the anti-impeachment solons and
allies of Malacanang. The tyranny and abuse of the
majority winning over the voice of truth and the calls
for justice and genuine true process.”

Beltran said that in the future, serious and radical
amendments should be made to the impeachment rules and
other principles governing impeachment of public
officials. “These rules should be made watertight
and highly difficult to twist and misinterpret to
favor the accused public official – especially if
the officials concerned belong to the highest offices
such as the executive. The guiding principle should be
this – evidence must be heard out and testimonies
acknowledged.”

Beltran said that Sec. Gabby Claudio’s statement
that the opposition should be blamed for any more dips
in the economy and the worsening of the political
atmosphere is ridiculous. “He should be pointing the
finger at his boss and her hardworking allies in
Congress. It’s because of their shameless
determination to keep the truth hidden from view that
is causing the worsening of the political situation.
What’s more, even without the impeachment complaint
or the exposure of the controversial “Hello,
Garci?” tapes, the economy was on an unstoppable
nosedive. Apart from the serious charges of electoral
fraud and corruption, Pres. Arroyo is also being
called to take account for the relentless oil price
hikes and the increasing unemployment rate, both of
which are among the main causes for the serious
deterioration of the living conditions of
Filipinos.”#

NR0831:Take impeachment complaint to legislature of the streets

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release August 31, 2005


PGMA allies guilty of grand cover-up; impeachment complaint will be brought to the legislature of the streets

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the yesterday’s walk-out of pro-impeachment lawmakers will convince more Filipinos of how Malacanang was determined to quash the complaint using the flimsiest technical arguments.

“The walk-out was not premeditated. It was a spontaneous expression of outrage and exasperation at how the allies of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were abusing their authority and strength to manipulate congressional processes, including the House rules,” he said.

“There was no other way for the hearings to continue peacefully or with any semblance of order because the Mrs. Arroyo’s allies would not listen to reason. All they have in mind is to kill the complaint and protect the corrupt and illegitimate president from being impeached.”

Beltran said that if Majority Floor Leader Prospero Nograles was accusing impeachment solons of acting like children or brats, then the members of the majority blocking the impeachment complaint were no different from thick-headed bullies. “They would not listen to reason or to the most sensible, rational and justified arguments. All they want is to throw the complaint out,” he said. “Talk about tyranny of the majority.”

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that the harder Mrs. Arroyo’s allies try to stifle the truth, the more determined advocates against corruption and electoral fraud will be to expose it.

“It’s patently obvious to anyone that Mrs. Arroyo’s allies in the House are conducting a massive cover-up operation, and their first tact is to kill the impeachment complaint which is loaded with evidence pointing towards the accountability of the president on the issues of betrayal of public trust, corruption, human rights violations, and electoral fraud. Any moral and upstanding individual would agree that that these charges are so serious, that is it is highly necessary for the charges to be investigated and discussed. Putting up roadblocks in the way of the investigations and hearings on the president’s corruption only affirms the strong and valid suspicion that the President does have many things to hide and would rather keep in the dark,” he said.

Finally, Beltran said that the impeachment complaint is certain to be thrown out by the Justice Committee, but the struggle to expose the truth about the illegitimacy and corruption of the incumbent president is far from over.

“We will take the impeachment complaint to the Filipino people, and they will be the ones to lay down the verdict on the president,” he said. “If their so-called Representatives in Congress will not give the complaint a chance to be heard and discussed, then there is no other way but to submit to the Filipino people’s will regarding Mrs. Arroyo and her immediate future.” #

NR0830: Bring in oil executives for questioning

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release August 30, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
rep_crispin_beltran@yahoo.com.ph
anakpawis_partylist@yahoo.com
cp number 09213907362 geocities.com/ap_news


Oil company execs should be brought in for questioning; Profit-motive of oil cartel behind so-called oil crisis


Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the executives of Shell, Caltex and Petron should be summoned for questioning in a full-blown investigation/hearing in Congress regarding the endless series of oil price hikes. He urged House Energy Committee chairman Alipio Badelles to begin committee hearings on the bills and resolutions calling for the review and repeal of the oil deregulation law.

Beltran said that recent reports that the oil companies continue to rake in billions in profits in the midst of the crisis expose the truth that the oil cartel imposed the last series of price hikes not because of any real or justified reasons but because of their profit-greedy objectives.

“The oil cartel’s justifications for the recent series of oil price hikes are highly questionable. They insist that their price increases are a result of the increases in the global prices of oil and that they have no choice but to make similar adjustments in local pump price. It’s now being exposed yet again in various reports and records from the oil companies’ inventories and profit monitoring sheets that even without the OPHs, Shell, Caltex and Petron are doing quite fine,” he said.

Beltran said that the executives of the Big Three should be questioned by Congress, and their records opened to public scrutiny. He said that the procurement schedules of the Big Three reveal that they have stand-by stocks that are enough to last for three months, “But at the slightest fluctuation in global oil prices, they raise prices of oil that’s already in their inventories.”

“The executives of Shell, Caltex and Petron should be made to answer for the OPHs, and they stand to commit perjury if they even begin to say that they’re losing profits. Now that oil prices have risen to a staggerin $70 a barrel, there’s no doubt that local oil companies and their parent companies will be making even more money.”

“The Macapagal-Arroyo’s weak, band-aid solutions to the fraudelent oil crisis should be exposed. Instead of acting decisively and stopping the oil companies from their greedy profiteering, the Arroyo admnistration is resorting to measures that essentially let the cartel off the hook and free from blame. The oil deregulation law coupled with the innate profit-hungry drive of the oil companies are at the core of the so-called oil crisis, and the only way to stop them at their tracks is to junk the oil deregulation law.”

The veteran labor leader also reiterated his stand that the national govenrment should by back majority shares in Petron and reverse the effects of the oil deregulation law by strictly monitoring the process of procurement and pricing of the oil companies.#

NR0830:On anti-terror bill

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


Malacanang’s call for anti-terror law passage aimed at crushing calls for her impeachment and ouster; timing of bombings suspect

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that Malacanang’s renewed calls for the passage of the anti-terror bill bids ill for the public, saying that Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her allies want the anti-terror bill passed so they will have legal grounds to crackdown on protests, their participants and their organizers.

He said that that the recent bombings in Basilan were mostly likely the doing of militarists in the administration. “They’re creating an atmosphere of fear and violence to justify the imposition of more authoritarian measures and restrictions on civil rights and liberties, including the constitutionally-guaranteed rights to freedom of speech and assembly,” he said.

“The timing of the bombings and the raised alert levels couldn’t be more suspect. Malacanang and its loyalists in the armed forces are well-aware that the political tension in so high and directed against Mrs. Arroyo that they’re fabricating stories regarding security threats from terrorists to deflect attention from the calls for impeachment and the burgeoning campaign for Macapagal-Arroyo’s ouster via popular uprising,” he said.

The veteran labor leader turned activist lawmaker said that there was no need for an anti-terrorism law given that there are already existing penal laws and international covenants that will make an anti-terror law superfluous and unnecessary. He said that that given the shocking human rights records of the Macapagal-Arroyo government and its current political desperation to keep protests at bay, it’s call for the passage of anti-terror law is an open and direct threat by the State towards legitimate political activity that does not conform or abide by its pronouncements, programs, and policies.

Beltran slammed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) anew for its failure to put an end to the so-called terrorist threat. “Most likely the AFP has not been able to gain any significant headway in catching any real terrorists or routing out their organizations because there is no real terrorist threat. Their unacceptable and outrageous excuse is that they need an anti-terror law to enable them to catch terrorists,” he said.

NR0827:Amend impeachment rules as they're biased against civil complainants

From the Office of Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran
News Release August 27, 2005

Non-lawyer solon proposes changes in impeachment rules to favor complainants against high government executives

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today expressed exasperation with the direction the Justice Committee hearings on the impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is going. He said that it was swiftly being exposed how the entire process and deliberations were being lorded over Macapagal-Arroyo allies who were in the Majority and in the leadership of the Committee itself.

He said a lesson that’s being learned now is the need to amend impeachment rules as determined by Congress.

“As they stand right now, the impeachment rules in the House as well as in Constitution are very loose and they unjustly give the official being faced with impeachment charges a wide berth and advantage. This alone belies the essence of public accountability of public offices. There is a need to amend the impeachment rules to make sure that they are more airtight and in favor of those filing complaints against public officials, especially those in the highest offices of the land especially the presidency. Betrayal of public trust and abuse of authority are serious charges, and if the complaints are evidently and obviously substantial in content, they should always be given credence and heard out,” he said. "At the very least, impeachment complaints against high executives and officials that contain very serious charges of electoral fraud and corruption among them should be immediately and automatically investigated thoroughly."

“Even-non lawyers such as myself can see how overtly the Majority is using legal explanations to muddle the issues surrounding the impeachment complaint. The Arroyo allies in the House and in the committee are twisting and interpreting the law to suit their purpose and narrow objective, that of protecting a corrupt and illegitimate presidency,” he said. “Where is the independence of the legislative branch? Legislators are being led around by the nose by Malacanang and betraying own respective mandates to serve the interest if truth and justice.

Beltran said that the Philippine Constitution itself designates the House of Representatives to be the sole body tasked with investigating charges against the president as contained in valid impeachment complaints, “But base on what we’re seeing in Congress and the actions of the Arroyo allies, they’re continually passing the back and referring to various Supreme Court rulings that do not have direct and immediate bearing on this particular impeachment complaint against Pres. Arroyo. The circumstances surrounding previous impeachment cases are different from the circumstances now and the one being impeached is the President of the Republic, not just the Supreme Court Justice or the Ombudsman. The gravity of these charges are more than enough basis to have the complaint heard. The Amended Lozano Complaint is more than substantial, and all moves of Arroyo allies to dismiss it should be exposed as acts of cover-up for the benefit of the president,” he said.

Beltran said that it was highly unjust the way the House leadership led by Speaker Jose de Venecia and Majority leader Prospero Nograles are pushing their weight and influence around to kill the complaint. “They’re resorting to underhanded means to kill a very valid and substantial complaint against the president. This is a great disservice to the Filipino people and their demand to know the truth. The impeachment complaint against Mrs. Arroyo should be deliberated upon, and Congress is the only Constitutionally-delegated institution for this. By refusing its duty to hear the complaint and determine its substantiality and the seriousness of the charges it contains, Congress will be violating the Constitution and more importantly the Filipino people,” he said.#

NR0825:Govt should include children's parents in food program

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
New Release August 26, 2005

Government should include children’s parents in Nutrition program; Filipino children are hungry because their own parents are neglected by the national government

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that Camarines Sur. Rep. Andaya should also take consideration of the families of the school children the government intends to include in the projected extensive mass feeding program. He said that the government’s mass feeding program, like its other projects, is often a Band-aid cure for cancer-like problems.

He said that the national government was fully capable of implementing genuine and thorough-going reforms in the national economy that will significantly reduce poverty, but it refuses to do so because of it’s obeisance to anti-poor and anti-national dictates of big foreign business and international finance creditors.

“It’s frustrating the way the government keeps turning down the proposals and calls of people’s organizations and cause-oriented groups for the decisive ending of policies that undermine the economic welfare of the poor – children and adults alike. Mass hunger in the provinces is a direct result of landlessness and the government’s land conversion policy. Millions of farmers and their families are starving in the provinces because the government has taken away their lands and leased them to foreign multinational and transnational companies in mining and food manufacture,” he said.

“There are no genuine and sufficient subsidies for agriculture, and almost 80% of the Filipino people make their living directly or indirectly in agriculture and agrarian pursuits,” he said.

The veteran labor leader also said that he cannot help but express exasperation with the government’s deliberate ‘blindness’ to the social realities of poverty and its causes. “There’s mass unemployment and those who have jobs are paid in pittance wages. The low allocation for social services such as public housing and health ensure that millions of Filipinos are either homeless or squatters in their own land. Thousands die of easily curable diseases because of the prohibitive costs of medicine and preventive health care. There are not enough schools because the budgetary allocations for education are nowhere near as high as the appropriations for foreign debt servicing!”

Beltran said that it was very saddening on the one hand and infuriating on the other the way the national government under the corrupt and illegitimate presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo pretends to be implementing measures for the good of the poor and their children, when in truth the government continues to steal the nation and the people’s wealth with the help of the greedy private sector and foreign investors and creditors.

“Unless Rep. Andaya and Department of Education and the Department of Social Welfare and Development who will facilitate the school feeding program extend the same program to cover the three basic meals of the day of the school children and their families, this noodle-food program will be nothing but a Band-air cure, and yet another means for Macapagal-Arroyo to project herself as a caring and compassionate president. She and her administration will be pretending to be giving to the children while stealing from the parents,” he concluded.#

NR0826:GMA's energy saving measures fall short

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
New Release August 26, 2005

GMA’s energy and oil conservation measures fall short; Petron buy-back and Meralco take-over are more decisive steps to end the artificial energy crisis

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the energy-saving and conservation measures being proposed and posed for implementation by the Macapagal-Arroyo administration were well and good, but they inevitably fall short. He said that in the need, these conservation measures will prove useless for consumers as they will still be forced to pay exorbitant electricity rates, high oil and diesel prices using very low wages and salaries.

“The issue is not so much saving energy or conserving fuel—it’s the pricing and rating mechanism of the oil and electricity companies that are killing consumers and the economy. Filipinos no longer have to be told about saving energy. Most households have already cut down their electricity consumption by unplugging their refrigerators or no longer ironing their work clothes, and not using the electric fans during the day. Despite all these energy saving measures, their monthly electricity bills are still high because Meralco in connivance with the Energy Regulatory Board (ERB) constantly manipulate their electricity rates standards,” he said.

“As for saving fuel, this is already being done. Carpooling and using bikes as transportation has become the norm again; but these steps are no match for the greed and determination of the oil cartel of Shell, Caltex and Petron to jack their prices every week.”

“The Macapagal-Arroyo government is trying to score points with the public and increase its negative approval ratings by projecting that it’s doing something against the so-called energy crisis. The truth, however, is this: there’s no energy or oil crisis. The high electricity rates and oil prices are purely a product of the electricity and oil firms’ profit-hungry schemes which are in turn legitimized by the policies of oil deregulation and energy privatization,” he said

“If Pres. Arroyo were sincere in ending the so-called energy crisis, then she should begin by ordering Congress to repeal the oil deregulation and energy privatization laws. The government should take over Petron and Meralco, and protect the local oil and electricity industries from monopolies in the private sector,” he said. “All the other measures are weak – they only pay lip-service to the call of energy conservation. The oil companies and electricity firms led by Meralco and the Napocor are the biggest thieves and it’s their relentless price and rate-gouging that is creating this artificial crisis. Macapagal-Arroyo, by refusing to acknowledge this, is aiding and abetting them.”#

NR0825:Solon bats for bicam commission on debt

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release August 25, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
09213907362 geocities.com/ap_news


Solon pushes for established of Bicam commission on Debt pursuant to Joint Reso No.2; calls for debt repudiation

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today reminded fellow lawmakers of the Joint Resolution NO.2 Congress passed on third and final reading September 21 last year wherein a bicameral commission on Debt is moved to be established. The resolution was transmitted to and submitted to the Senate September 27, 2004, where a counterpart resolution was filed by Sen. Biazon.

The resolution mandates that the bicam committee do the following:

1. Review and assess the debt policies, strategies and programs of the Philippines;

2. Conduct a public audit of all loans acquired, including assumed and contingent liabilities;

3.Validate the utlization of loan proceeds;

4. Recommend policies and strategies to reduce debt service and ensure effective debt management;

5. Recommend the adoption of legislation and executive measures pursuant to its findings;

6. Review and prioritize legislation pending before both Houses pursuant to the findings of the Commission; and

7. Encourage the active involvment of the private sector in the formulation and implementation of debt management strategies, policies and programs.

“Apart from this, there is the strong recommendation that the Commission look into outstanding debts, including the nature of the debt, purpose, compliance with procedures and requirements, terms and conditionalities, use of the funds, governmen’s absorptive capacity,results and impact of debt-financed projects and programs, creditor and borrower accountabilities and other problems, “ said Beltran.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said even before Congress begins deliberating on the proposal for the 2006 national budget, it’s crucial that it should first go into and examine the oustanding issues regarding debts and diabilities such as the contracts with the independent power producers and their impact on the debts and liabilities of the National Power Corporation (NPC) and the National Government and local governments; the behest loans under the Marcos admnistration with more than 100 cases still pending at the Presidential Commission on Good Government; new cases of behest loans; ad the build operate and transfer (BOT) projects.”

This debt crisis is essentially a war against the Filipino people. We mustrefute the policy of automatic debt appropriation for debt servicing and explore various policy options including but not limited to debt repudiation, cancellation, condonation, moratorium, foreign debt cap and audit. It’s unjust and immoral for any govenrment to force its people to shoulder the burden of debts they, the people did not benefit from,” he said.#

NR0825:Defer talks on budget until Arroyo is removed from Malacanang

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release August 25, 2005


Budget talks should be deferred until Macapagal-Arroyo is replaced; Allocations being used by Malacanang to woo and bribe LGUs and officials of agencies, institutions like AFP and PNP to remain loyal to beleaguered executive

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the deliberations for the 2006 Budget should be put on hold given that the nation is in a uproar over the corrupt and illegitimate presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He said that there was no point in talking about the 2006 budget when there could be a new and different administration and government by next year.

According to Beltran, this reason and the fact that the incumbent but illegitimate administration plans to earmark P931 million daily for interest payments under the proposed budget for 2006 is also strong and compelling reason to demand the step-down and ouster of Macapagal-Arroyo.

“This is yet another budget program that’s severely twisted, seeing that like its predecessors it prioritizes foreign debt servicing and intelligence. The insensitivity of this administration is appalling. The times call for radical restructuring of the budget, to have it directed towards expenditures that will concretely and directly give aid to Filipinos and their ailing families. Public housing, education and health are sure to get the short end of the stick again,” he said.

The activist lawmaker said that it was certain that Malacanang was going to use the budget appropriations to bribe local government units and officials of various departments and institutions including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) into continuing their loyalty to the beleaguered president.

“Without doubt, this budget proposal is going to be used like a very big carrot to woo officials and dissuade them from abandoning Macapagal-Arroyo.”

According to reports, debt service remains the biggest priority of the government, cornering P340 billion, or one-third of the P1.05-trillion outlay Malacañang wants Congress to approve. The proposed interest payments are P38.3 billion bigger than this year’s P301.7 billion. The total debt payment of P721.7 billion is reportedly 80 percent of what the government plans to spend this year.

“This budget proposal is also one compelling reason why Macapagal-Arroyo should be removed from office. It’s immoral and unjust to inflict this kind of budget prioritization on the Filipino people. It’s insensitive and insulting – rubbing salt into the serious wounds of the poor. All hearings on the national budget should be suspended and they shouldn’t even begin so long as Macapagal-Arroyo is in power.”

“These talks on the budget and Charter Change are being used to take attention away from the hearings on the impeachment complaint. There is nothing normal in the situation the country is currently in—we are in the midst of removing a corrupt and illegitimate president who has no qualms at all about proving her allegiance to foreign creditors at the expense of her impoverished constituents and their needs. ”

“The poor and working sectors of society have not been remiss in informing the administration of their demands for immediate economic relief; but it’s evident that all their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. The Arroyo administration’s hard-heartedness when it comes to the needs of the Filipino people is equaled only to the eagerness the Macapagal-Arroyo has in giving in to all the demands and requisites of foreign big business and international creditors.”

The veteran labor leader turned legislator said that henceforward, the 2006 budget proposal will be one of the reasons for demanding the impeachment, resignation and ouster of Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo. #

NR0824:JDV leads baseless junking of impeachment

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release August 24, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
rep_crispin_beltran@yahoo.com.ph
anakpawis_partylist@yahoo.com
cp number 09213907362 geocities.com/ap_news


Killing the impeachment complaint will all the more force Filipinos to take to streets to launch People Power

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today expressed stiff disapproval for Speaker Jose de Venecia’s recent declaration that the impeachment complaint will die because it does not stand on firm ground.

Beltran said that the impeachment complaint was strong and credible by itself, and the only reason why it will die is because the pro-Arroyo administration solons wont let it live. “They’re killing it in defense of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and by doing so they’re betraying the people’s right to know the extent of the crimes of corruption, abuse of authority, betrayal of public trust and election fraud she perpetrated,” he said. “If the complaint isn’t strong enough, if they really think there’s no basis for the charges against Mrs. Arroyo, then why are they so afraid of hearing the complaint?”

The veteran labor leader turned legislator said that Speaker de Venecia’s defense of Mrs. Arroyo was expected, “But its still nonetheless shocking to realize how far he and his allies in the House will go. Talk is rife in the House that millions are being showered on anti-impeachment lawmakers in the guise of the release of allocations from the road users’ tax and other perks,” he said.

“Why resort to bribery and underground negotiations to convince lawmakers against the impeachment complaint? Malacanang is dangling millions of pesos in front of legislators just so they remain loyal to Macapagal-Arroyo, and this appears to be their strongest argument: junk the impeachment complaint in exchange for cash. Lawmakers being offered these bribes should be insulted, and this alone should prompt them to sign the complaint.”

“The technical arguments the pro-Arroyo solons are trying the bury the impeachment complaint under are nothing compared to the mountains of evidence the Opposition and the complainants from the basic sectors of workers, peasants and anti-corruption groups are eager and prepared to present to justify Macapagal-Arroyo’s impeachment.”

Of the three options, only one remains

Beltran reiterated his stand that Malacanang and its House allies are forcing people to take to the streets by killing and junking the complaint. He said that Filipinos are already united in the call that Macapagal-Arroyo be replaced as the country’s head of state, and the difference in views only lay in the means of how to replace her. “There are only three options – resignation, impeachment and ouster. Pres. Arroyo has refused the first; her allies in the House are machinating to kill the second, so the only option left is the last. There shouldn’t be any shock or surprise if their will be another People Power uprising soon,” he said.#

NR0822:On killing impeachment; Cha cha EO

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release August 22, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
rep_crispin_beltran@yahoo.com.ph
cp number 09213907362 geocities.com/ap_news


Oplan Kill Impeachment not escaping public notice; Solons killing the complaint will not escape villification

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that even as Malacanang and its allies in Congress launch “Oplan Kill Impeachment” in preparation for tomorrow’s Justice Committee hearings on whether or not to recognize the complaint, as amended and filed by opposition lawmakers, the mass protests to oust President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were also elevating to the next level.

There have been reports that Malacanang is pushing the limits short of outright bribing lawmakers with government funds and projects to secure their loyalty and word that that they would not sign the amended impeachment complaint. Among these funds is solons’ share in the controversial Road Users’ Tax.

“If and when the impeachment complaint is thrown out by the Committee, the solons that have been vocal in their opposition and active in their efforts to undermine and disqualify the complaint will be severely vilified by the public for shutting out the truth,” he said. “The fact that Malacanang is resorting to measures a hairbreadth away from being outright bribery to kill the complaint proves that the complaint is strong and credible enough to have Macapagal-Arroyo removed from office.”

”Pres. Arroyo will not recover from this crisis much less survive it. If she isn’t guilty of any of the impeachable charges being leveled against her as stated in the complaint, then she will not hesitate to meet them head on in the proper, formal and legal venue which is the impeachment court.

If she isn’t guilty, she has nothing to fear from the complaint or from being impeached. An executive who cannot defend herself satisfactorily and with the strength of will and character demanded of a nation’s leader has no right to lead.”

Executive Order on Cha cha redundant; waste of time and taxpayers’ money

In the meantime, the veteran labor leader turned activist lawmaker said that Malacanang’s release of an executive order legalizing the creation of a Consultative Commission that will supposedly hold consultations and studies in the proposed amendments to the Constitution was yet another abuse of power of the president. He said that by issuing the EO 453, Pres. Arroyo was creating yet another office and releasing funds that could run up to millions just to pursue the demented dream of Charter Change.

“Congress already has the task to hold these consultations and solicit studies on Cha cha, and the people have already turned in their negative verdict on the matter. There is no public clamor for Charter change, and the reforms the administration and its allies in the House want are of the sort that will further undermine the economic welfare of the Filipino poor and weaken further the country’s sovereignty and patrimony laws,” he said.

“This Cha Cha Executive Order constitutes a grave abuse of authority on the part of Macapagal-Arroyo. She is using Cha cha to deflect the public’s attention from the calls for her impeachment, resignation and ouster.’

“Even as we recognize the need to amend the Constitution, the objective should not be to perpetuate the already corrupt and exploitative set of leaders the country has, or to open the country even wider to the plunder of foreign-owned transnational corporations. Cha cha as idealized by Malacanang and its allies in the House pushing for Cha cha will only worsen the already terrible state of the nation, and cement the exploitative political order in place,” he said.

Beltran expressed doubt that the Consultative Assembly Malacanang is putting together will include recommendations from groups and sectors that denounce globalization and liberalization policies in the economy and advocate economic independence via exit from the trade blocs such as the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).#

NR0821:Solon appeals to Erap to resist GMA overtures

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release August 21, 2005

Solon appeals to ex-president Estrada to refuse overtures from Macapagal-Arroyo; says Erap can begin to redeem self by standing firm against his corrupt predecessor

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that should President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reconcile with ousted president Joseph Estrada and allow his release or secure any agreement with him that would lead to the latter’s illegal absolution and eventual release, her downfall will all the more be secured. He said that Macapagal-Arroyo is most likely the party angling to unite with her ousted predecessor in the desperate hope that the protests against will be significantly weakened.

“If she makes any illegal and immoral compromise with former president Estrada at this point, the remaining sectors of Philippine society who are still undecided will most certainly take action against her. It’s patently evident to everyone that the only reason why she would even consider reconciling with Estrada is because she wants to secure his support for her severely crippled administration,” he said. “One could say that Mrs. Arroyo is caught between a rock and a hard place – either way she loses.”

Beltran said that ex-president Estrada will never get the full forgiveness of the Filipino people if he cooperates with Arroyo. He said that the greatest service he could perform for the people right now given the circumstances is to continue opposing Macapagal-Arroyo and to not enter into compromise agreements with her government. He said that Estrada could begin to gain public absolution and perform penance by continuing his support for the protests against Mrs. Arroyo, and putting away any ulterior or self-serving motives. He appealed to the ex-president to take a strong political stand for the country and the people, and not compound his crimes against the nation by colluding with his infamous predecessor.

“Ex-president Estrada is now being given a good opportunity to make-up for the corruption he perpetrated while in office by taking the high moral ground and refusing all overtures from Macapagal-Arroyo,” he said.

Finally, the veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that the hearings of the impeachment complaint against Mrs. Arroyo continues to gain ground despite all attempts of Arroyo allies to derail them. He said that public pressure and watchfulness make it difficult for Arroyo allies in the House to simply throw out the complaint or dismiss it on mere technicalities.

“There are no prejudicial issues on this matter that should be settled. The allies of the president are deliberately throwing roadblocks in the way of the impeachment complaint because they want to protect the executive. By doing so they are carving a niche of notoriety for themselves,” he said. Beltran said that the upcoming protests on Aug 23 are in direct condemnation of the delays in the Justice committee’s deliberations on the impeachment complaint, and a show of support for the solons pushing for the president’s impeachment. “If Congress summarily dismisses the impeachment complaint, the protests against Mrs. Arroyo will grown even bigger exponentially. To begin with, there is already widespread cynicism against the chances of the complaint prospering because of Arroyo allies’ machinations and underhanded moves to undermine it. This alone convinces Filipinos that the only true, sure way of removing the corrupt and illegitimate president from office is through another popular people’s uprising,” he said. #

NR0818:On Garci's disappearing act; raid on safehouse

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release August 18, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
rep_crispin_beltran@yahoo.com.ph
anakpawis_partylist@yahoo.com
cp number 09213907362 geocities.com/ap_news
Garcilliano’s testimony crucial to impeachment


Investigations; Malacanang ordered looting of evidence and proof against PGMA to undermine impeachment complaint, criminalize Opposition members

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today accused Malacanang of having a direct hand in the Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcilliano’s disappearing act. According to reports, the controversial Comelec official has gone on to the United Kingdom after leaving Singapore. Beltran said that Malacanang is keenly aware of how crucial Garcilliano’s testimony is to the impeachment complaint hearings, and Garcillliano’s palace-orchestrated disappearance was a sign that Malacanang was afraid of what Garcilliano might say. “It’s in the interest of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that Commissioner Garcilliano be never found. The moment Garcilliano steps into the congressional room to testify, he will not be able to help but spill the beans on his boss and electoral fraud accomplice Mrs. Arroyo,” he said.

Beltran said that without doubt Malacanang and its network was working 24-7 to ensure that Garcilliano is not found. He said that The Department of Foreign Affairs and the network of Philippine embassies and consulates all over the world are also instrumental in keeping Garcilliano’s whereabouts a secret. “Otherwise, they would have allowed Garcilliano to come out into the open and issue statements directly to the public, whether on his own defense or in the defense of Mrs. Arroyo,” he said. “Garcilliano is hiding with the full blessing from and assistance of Malacanang. When he opens his mouth, the risk that he might either perjure himself or completely expose Mrs. Arroyo is very great.”

In the meantime, the veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that the raid on safehouse of the Opposition where evidence pointing towards the president’s electoral fraud were hidden was a sign of the extent of Malacanang’s determination to crush the impeachment complaint. He said that the Palace was using both fair means and foul, but mostly foul to undermine the impeachment process. “The raid was illegal and act of abuse of authority on the part of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Without doubt they are now fabricating justifications for the raid and to criminalize the guardians of the safehouse, as well as the members of the Opposition who put up the said safehouse,” he said.

Beltran said that Malacanang was trying to make up for the embarrassment caused by Environment Sec. Mike Defensor’s retraction on the supposed fraudulent nature of the ‘Hello, Garci’ tapes. “This time, the henchmen of Pres. Arroyo are directly looting evidence against the president, making sure that they will be able to secure opposition’s various proof and evidence to nail the president for corruption and electoral fraud,’ he said.

“This is political repression, and obstruction of justice. Malacanang is illegally confiscating and looting evidence against the president from the Opposition and using the PNP and AFP for its mop up operations. In the coming days, it’s possible that Malacanang and its various spokespersons will be presenting made-up evidence cobbled and put together from the PNP and AFP looted, and lay down trumped-up charges against members of the Opposition,” he said.#

NR0816:GMA's two main motives for pushing Cha cha

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release August 16, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
rep_crispin_beltran@yahoo.com.ph
anakpawis_partylist@yahoo.com
cp number 09213907362 geocities.com/ap_news

PGMA using Cha cha both as means to divert public attention from calls for her impeachment and ouster and to secure the continuing support of the US and foreign business groups for her floundering administration

Anakpawis Representative today said that Malacañang's renewed calls for Charter change (Cha-cha)is one of the United States’ political and economic agenda in the Philippines, and the US is pressuring the Macapagal-Arroyo government to push constitutional amendments in return for the US’ support for the beleaguered President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“Pres. Arroyo is desperate to keep the support of the US, and her efforts towards this aim include the constant issuance of agreement with the recommendations of the United States for Charter Change. The US embassy in the Philippines, the American Chamber of Commerce and various US officials have long before stated their opposition to the Philippines’ constitutional restrictions against foreign land ownership and foreign investments in vital sectors. Even the government's application for economic aid from the US's $5 billion Millennium Challenge Account is conditional on the country's proving its commitment to "open markets,” he said.

Beltran said that the renewed calls for Cha cha were not only a political diversionary tactic on the part of Mrs. Arroyo to pull attention away from the calls for her impeachment, resignation and ouster, but also a means to convince foreign creditors that she was still the best person for the job of ensuring unhampered foreign business operations in the country.

“Mrs. Arroyo is using the Charter Change card as an incentive for foreign business and their respective governments such as the US to continue supporting her despite the strong clamor of her constituents for her removal from office,” he said.

He said that that the European Union and international financial institutions like the World Bank and Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry have also called for the lifting of constitutional restrictions which they say are "disincentives" to foreign investment. In the meantime, the World Bank in April this year lamented foreign investment restrictions in the Charter and called for the "opening of professional services (such as accountants, lawyers and engineers)" to foreigners and the easing of entry and foreign ownership limits in land ownership, public utilities, educational institutions and construction companies, among others.

The veteran labor leader turned legislator said that while Mrs. Arroyo and her allies are trumpeting the supposed need for changes in the political system as a solution to the problems besetting the country, the true agenda behind Cha cha is the removal of economic sovereignty provisions in the Constitution which limit foreign ownership of land and external investments in certain vital sectors, and provide for nationality requirements in public utilities.

Executive Order on Cha cha

In the meantime, Beltran said that the Filipino people should stand united against the executive order GMA is preparing to release anytime soon to create the Citizens' Consultative Constitutional Commission (con-con) that would supposedly assist Congress in drafting proposed amendments to the Constitution. According to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the draft executive order is now on the President's desk.

According to reports, the proposed EO contains the criteria and the composition of the members of the constitutional commission. Defense Sec. Avelino Cruz and Interior Sec. Angelo Reyes were appointed by Mrs. Arroyo last month to lead efforts to tap the private sector for their proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution to pave the way for the federal-parliamentary system of government. The proposed commission would be composed of anywhere between 30 to 50 members, all representing various stakeholders and sectors.

“From all angles, it’s evident that GMA is using Cha cha as a means to save herself and distract the public from the political drama that is exposing GMA as a corrupt, inept and illegitimate president. Despite the non-existent demand for Cha cha, she and her allies are fast tracking Cha cha deliberations and projecting that there is an urgent need for it. The public, however, will not be easily distracted from the impeachment process and the rallies demanding her ouster,” he said.#

NR0816:SC should declare death penalty on VAT

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release August 16, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
rep_crispin_beltran@yahoo.com.ph
anakpawis_partylist@yahoo.com
cp number 09213907362 geocities.com/ap_news

Supreme Court should impose the Death Penalty on VAT; Moratorium on OPHs, suspension of Oil deregulation law urged

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today urged the Supreme Court to break the stalemate and declare Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s 10-percent expanded value added tax law as uncostitutional and brutally inimical to the interest of the poor and working people. Beltran said that the High Court should step in and help settle the issue and expose the pretensions of Malacanang and its allies that they were worried about the impact of the VAT on the people. He said that the Supreme Court should declare the death penalty on the VAT.

“If Malacanang and its spokesperson on economic affairs Rep.Salceda are so worried about the VAT and how it will affect Filipinos, then they never should’ve passed the infamous law in the first place,” he said. “It’s not a deferment to the VAT implementation that the people want – it’s the law’s junking. Passing this law was a crime against all Filipinos and their children,” he said. “The Supreme Court should take not just legal arguments into consideration when analyzing the VAT, but more so the concrete and actual implications and impact of the VAT on the livelihood of the poor and working people already sorely whipped by the relentless oil price hikes and increases in prices of basic commodities.”

The veteran labor leader said that the VAT should not be implemented at all, nevermind what foreign creditors will say or think. “It’s appalling that Pres. Arroyo and her economic advisers and allies fear what foreign creditors would say instead of first thinking how Filipinos will suffer even greatly once the VAT is implemented,” he said. “All the more reason why Macapagal-Arroyo should be impeached and ousted from office. She should be removed from Malacanang and all her tax measures passed into law declared null and void. There is no way that Filipinos will be able to shoulder additional regressive taxes. The Arroyo administration is intent on turning all Filipinos into starving mendicants.”

In the meantime, Beltran demanded that the government must now suspend the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 8479 or the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998 and impose a moratorium on oil price hikes (OPH). This even support for the law’s scrapping was gathering in Congress. “Mrs. Arroyo herself as already admitted that coping with escalating oil prices is now a matter of national survival. She is exposing her hypocrisy once more by not taking more decisive and concrete action against the OPHs. The only measure that could give considerable safeguard on the people and the economy right now is state intervention in pricing of petroleum products in the local market. Macapagal-Arroyo is challenged to exhaust all legal means to suspend RA 8479 and declare an OPH moratorium; otherwise her declarations of concern on the oil crisis are nothing but consummate lies and empty talk.”

Beltran said that the oil companies are fully capable of absorbing the impact of suspending the deregulation law and OPH moratorium amid sky-high global prices. Citing data from the independent think-tank IBON Foundation, oil companies have been overpricing the public in the past years, as they took advantage of automatic price hikes allowed under a deregulated regime. IBON reviewed the actual pump price movement from 2000 to 2004 and found out that oil products have been overpriced by a total of PhP3.68 per liter. This estimate is based on the monthly fluctuation in the price of benchmark Dubai crude and foreign exchange (FOREX) rate, and applied a corresponding weight on the impact of Dubai and FOREX on the pump price. This estimate is different from IBON estimates in the past where it used the old ‘rule of thumb’-- which was dismissed as “outdated” by oil companies and the Department of Energy, saying Dubai crude and the FOREX have already substantially increased over the years.#

NR0813:Which tapes were sent to US experts? Solon says no to Mendoza arrest

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Releases August 13, 2005

Which tapes did Malacanang send to US experts? Or did a ton of money change hands to get the experts’ favorable verdict?

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that Malacanang’s attempts to remove the Hello Garci tapes from the public’s consciousness by saying that they are fakes come much too late and were in fact in vain. He said that Sec. Mike Defensor and Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri’s explanation regarding the supposed fraudulence of the tapes and their contents were not credible.

”Their boss Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has already admitted that the voice was hers. Nowhere and at no time in any of her public statements did she deny having the conversations with Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcilliano,”he said. “Millions of Filipinos have already heard the tapes and the verdict against this illegitimate and corrupt presidency has already been laid down weeks ago. And we don’t even know which tapes Malacanang sent to the US for analysis.”

“Clearly, Malacanang is so afraid of the impeachment complaint. What happened to all of Mrs. Arroyo’s brave talk that she is willing and prepared to undergo the impeachment trial and avail of the process and her right to defend herself in a legal venue? This is precisely why an impeachment trial would prove useful in revealing the truth, but Pres. Arroyo and her allies are do desperate to obfuscate the truth,” he said.

Beltran said that the verification of local or US experts no longer made any indifference to the Filipino people. He said that it was highly likely that the Philippine government PAID U.S. experts to say that the Hello, Garci tapes were cobbled or spliced.

“It’s highly likely that Malacanang has released a massive amount of money to get the favorable word of US experts. We’re not even sure which tapes Malacanang sent to the US for analysis. We cannot simply accept Malacanang’s word on this – after
all, the likes of Sec. Defensor and Rep.Zubiri are only acting to save Pres. Arroyo, and it’s only to be expected that they will go through great lengths to do this, even launching a belated attack on the tapes and their damning contents,” he said.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that even if Malacanang through its allies in the House move to have the impeachment complaint dismissed on technical or other flimsy grounds, the Filipino people have already made up their minds about Mrs. Arroyo and they want her removed from office.

“Pres. Arroyo and her die-hard allies are only stoking the fire of public outrage. Filipinos want Pres. Arroyo removed form office, whether by impeachment or ouster, and there are no ifs about if. If the president and her allies continue their attacks against the impeachment complaint regardless of the legitimacy of its contents and the support the complaint has from the public, then they’re only
pushing Filipinos out into the streets for another brilliant show of People Power,” he said. #

Solon says no to AFP plans to have Capt. Mendoza arrested

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran expressed strong opposition to the calls by certain members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that whistleblower Capt. Marlon Mendoza should be arrested because he has pending cases against him in the AFP. He said that it was evident that these were attempts to silence Mendoza and to keep him from revealing more of what he knows perhaps not only of Pres. Arroyo’s
involvement in jueteng and facilitation of the massive electoral fraud campaign in May 2004, but also of the involvement of certain top officials in the aforementioned controversies.

“The AFP is bringing up Mendoza’s alleged small-time, petty crimes in the AFP to make his testimony about the President illegible and to remove its credibility. AFP top brass themselves are already admitting that they also committed anomalies in having Mendoza assigned to the Comelec, and now they want everything covered up by having Mendoza court-martialed,” he said. The military court wants to go after Mendoza for allegedly selling fake identification cards and mission orders from the
Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP)

On Thursday, the military admitted that Mendoza's appointment as Garcillano's security aide was done in a "short cut [manner] and "unauthorized."

The veteran labor leader said that the Senate Committee investigating the jueteng operations should take Mendoza under its protective custody and vouch for his freedom and safety. “The petty crimes the AFP is accusing Mendoza of are surely nothing compared to what charges are being made against Pres. Arroyo? Surely, the gravity of the charges against the president makes its important the investigations
continue and for witnesses to be given freedom to testify?”#

NR0812:Two releases on OPHs/EPIRA; Justice Committee ruling

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release
August 12, 2005

GMA’s undermining of Filipino’s economic welfare is a bigger impeachable offense

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today lauded the Supreme Court’s final decision on the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) petition on behalf of Meralco for a rate increase, saying that this should put the ERC in its place. He said that the ERC was lawyering for Meralco, and that as a government agency, it was violating its mandate to take up the cudgels for consumers and the public.

“The Supreme Court should also make a ruling on the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) which is what the ERC, Meralco, Napocor and the independent power producers (IPPs) are using as the legal basis for their connivance and theft from consumers,” he said. “At this critical and ever worsening juncture in the country’s economic affairs, the High Court should take the initiative and make a review of the
various pieces of legislation and government programs that attack the Filipino people’s day-to-say survival. Among these laws are the EPIRA and the oil deregulation law.”

Beltran said that the High Court’s review of the said laws, which should hopefully, and eventually lead to their repeal would be a valuable and crucial contribution to the Filipino people’s struggle for economic relief. He said that there were already bills in Congress calling for the repeal of the EPIRA and the oil deregulation law.

The veteran labor leader turned legislator in the meantime slammed anew President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her failure to make the slightest dent in the people’s worsening poverty. “There are more impeachable offenses against Pres. Arroyo much
worse than electoral fraud and corruption. The fact that the country’s unemployment rate continues to increase along with the prices of basic commodities and service such as health, housing and education is an impeachable offense by itself. This is serious undermining of the Filipino people’s economic welfare,” he said.

“It’s an outrage the way Malacanang still has the gall to demand that the people tighten their belts further when daily the charges against the president pointing to her and her family’s massive theft flourishes. The oil price increases and the high rates of electricity and water are doing the people in, and Pres. Arroyo has done nothing beyond posing for photo-opportunity shots for the media,” he said. #

Committee on Justice, Arroyo allies in the House pushing Filipinos to take to the streets against PGMA

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that the Committee on Justice’s decision to hear the Lozano impeachment complaint in its original form was a clear move to kill the impeachment process. He said that the Committee itself was making a mockery of the impeachment process and blatantly exercising its shameless bias for Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“The Committee knows that the Lozano complaint has been improved and made even more substantial and credible with the amendments made by the Minority and the complainants from the people’s organizations. The Committee is deliberately being too literal about the ruling that the first impeachment complaint will be the one heard, and ignoring the precedent already set during the deliberations over the impeachment complaint against former president Joseph Estrada.”

“The Committee of Justice is acting most unjustly. It’s acting as a complete pawn of Malacanang, doing its best to protect the queen,” he said.

Beltran warned that all tactics to dismiss the impeachment complaint would only serve to heighten the disgust and disillusionment of the public with the so-called ‘rule of law.’ “The Committee on Justice and the die-hard Arroyo loyalists in Congress are tempting fate by employing these transparently underhanded tactics to kill the impeachment complaint. They are grievously mistaken if they believe for a
moment that the clamor Pres. Arroyo’s removal from office will be crippled if they kill the impeachment complaint. They’re only pushing people to take to the streets and participate in massive nationwide protests,” he concluded.#

NR0811:impeachment signatories should be allowed to participate in justice hearings

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release August 11, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
rep_crispin_beltran@yahoo.com.ph
anakpawis_partylist@yahoo.com
cp number 09213907362 geocities.com/ap_news

All impeachment complaint signtories should be allowed to participate, ask questions in the justice committee hearings

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today expressed offense over the decision of the House Committee on Justice to essentially close the impeachment complaint hearings to non-committee members.

“We signed the complaint, and we very much want to keep abreast of the developments. We want to monitor the deliberations and see and hear for ourselves how the Committee is handling the complaint,” he said, speaking for other non-member solons.

Beltran said that the impeachment complain hearings were even more important than the hearings on the ‘Hello, Garci’ wire-tapped conversations. “I attended every single hearing on that issue, and I was not a member of any of the committees that were in charge of it. It’s every lawmakers’ responsibility to attend deliberations on such crucial political issues, and I appeal to the leadership of the Justice Committee not to deny me or other legislators who signed the complaint but are not committee members to attend the hearings,” he said.

He also said that all members of the minority should be allowed to attend the hearings. According him it would be more logical and just to allow all solons who are endorsers of the complaint to the said deliberations.

“We’re the ones who filed the complaint, so we should be allowed to participate in the deliberations nevermind that we are not justice committee members. Non-signatories and especially solons who are openly and blatantly against the impeachment complaint will no doubt use every inch of their power and rights to have the complaint dismissed on the flimsiest grounds.“

“This is a case of the majority lording it over the minority and the majority is abusing its position to protect Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. This is deliberate, this is malicious, and it’s highly contemptible. This is not the rule of law, this is mob rule in Congress. The majority has the numbers to defeat the complaint, but it’s doing so by abusing their authority instead of resorting to fair and reasonable means.”#

NR0811:Mendoza's testimony links jueteng & electoral fraud

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release August 10, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
rep_crispin_beltran@yahoo.com.ph
anakpawis_partylist@yahoo.com
cp number 09213907362 geocities.com/ap_news

Mendoza’s testimony connects PGMA’s involvement in jueteng and how the 2004 electoral scam was pulled off – Rep. Beltran

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that Capt. Marlon Mendoza’s assertions that Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcilliano connived to rig the May 2004 elections should be given credence, seeing that they corroborate not only with the testimonies of former Malacanang staff and Garcilliano nephew Michaelangelo Zuce. He said that both Mendoza and Zuce’s assertions and testimonies are not easily dismissible despite the attempts of Malacanang allies in the Senate to discredit them. He lauded Mendoza’s bravery, and said that the younger officers in the AFP should follow his lead and expose what they know of jueteng operations, electoral fraud and the involvement of the executive or AFP officials in them.

“Both Mendoza and Zuce have much to lose by coming forward, and they are witnesses who have worked in close proximity with both Garcilliano and Mrs. Arroyo. In the interest of fairness and justice, their testimonies should not be ignored and instead further heard out. Our colleagues in the senate should not be attacking or questioning the credibility of witnesses just because their testimonies are pointedly against the president. It is not the job of senators to lawyer for Pres. Arroyo – their job is to unearth the truth via the committee investigations,” he said.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that it was inevitable that the hearings in the senate on jueteng will be connected to the impeachment call. "Mendoza’s testimony links the jueteng operations and how they served in Pres. Arroyo’s electoral fraud caper in May 2004."

“By being a beneficiary of the jueteng operations, Pres. Arroyo also stands to be impeached. She has perjured herself time and again on national media by saying that her government is determined to go after jueteng operators and the gambling lords, yet here she is being the First Lady of jueteng,” he said. “Not only do the allegations and accusations against her point out that she willingly received jueteng money, the implication is that jueteng money is what she used to steamroll the massive electoral fraud she and Garcilliano perpetrated in May 2004.”

Beltran said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should not touch Mendoza or take any action against him that will serve the purpose of dissuading, discouraging or threatening him from continuing to reveal what he knows of the President’s involvement in jueteng and electoral fraud. He said that the AFP should adopt a hands-off policy on Mendoza, given that his testimonies have nothing to do with the AFP’s operations.

Finally, Beltran said that the quest for justice was slow going because the designated truth-finders were intent on protecting their own self interest and that of Pres. Arroyo. He said that it was essentially a game of block and parry between Arroyo allies and the opposition, and the main spectators, the Filipino people, were also the victims.

“Who is benefiting from all this but Pres. Arroyo who continues to remain in office when she has no legitimate or legal right to do so,” he said. “There are very deliberate and rigorous efforts on the part of Malacanang and its allies to weaken and delay and even misdirect investigations against Pres. Arroyo. The jueteng investigations whether Arroyo allies in the senate like it or not also serve and strengthen the call for the president’s impeachment and demands that the impeachment process be begun as soon as possible,” he said.#

NR0810:US labor union demands GMA step down

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release August 10, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
rep_crispin_beltran@yahoo.com.ph
anakpawis_partylist@yahoo.com
cp number 09213907362 geocities.com/ap_news


Beltran says Justice Committee should allow all Impeachment endorsers, complainants to attend deliberations

6th Biggest Workers Union in US demand resignation of PGMA

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today appealed to the House Committee on Justice not to close the impeachment complaint hearings to non-committee members, saying that that it would be more logical and just to allow all solons who are endorsers of the complaint to the said deliberations. “We signed the complaint, and we very much want to keep abreast of the developments. We want to monitor the deliberations and see and hear for ourselves how the Committee in handling the complaint,” he said, speaking for other non-member solons.

Beltran said that the impeachment complain hearings were even more important than the hearings on the ‘Hello, Garci’ wire-tapped conversations. “I attended every single hearing on that issue, and I was not a member of any of the committees that were in charge of it. It’s every lawmakers’ responsibility to attend deliberations on such crucial political issues, and I appeal to the leadership of the Justice Committee not to deny me or other legislators who signed the complaint but are not committee members to attend the hearings,” he said.

He also said that all members of the minority should be allowed to attend the hearings.

In the meantime, the veteran labor leader turned lawmaker shared what he said was a ‘giant moral booster’ and proof of ‘international solidarity between workers and the support of politically aware Americans for the struggles of the Filipino peoples.’

Beltran said that he has received reports that the fifth largest State Labor Council of the US, the Washington State Labor Council of the American Federation of Labor Congress of Industrial Unions (AFL-CIO) recently approved Resolution No. 1 calling on the current Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign immediately.

“The biggest American union said that the president is impeachable for cheating in the last elections and failing to denounce massive human rights violations specifically the massacre of Hacienda Luisita striking farm workers, among other things. The 450 delegates representing 450,000 members voted on the said resolution last Saturday August 6 during the convention in Spokane, Washington. The resolution further specified that the Council will encourage the National AFL-CIO to forward said resolution to all Washington State Congressional Delegates to the United Nations and the US Human Rights Commission, as well as to both the President of the United States George W. Bush and the President of the Republic of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,’ he said.

“We expect the international community specifically progressive political parties and people’s organizations in other countries to issue similar statements and resolutions condemning the corrupt and illegitimate Macapagal-Arroyo presidency,” he said. #

NR0810:Bantay Impeachment launched in Congress

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release August 10, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
rep_crispin_beltran@yahoo.com.ph
anakpawis_partylist@yahoo.com
cp number 09213907362 geocities.com/ap_news

Pro-Arroyo lawmakers warned against dismissing complaint; says there will be hell to pay

Bantay Impeachment group launched in Congress to monitor deliberations

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that as Congress through the Committee on Justice begins deliberations on the impeachment complaint versus President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, lawmakers especially die-hard loyalists to the president would do well to remember that the Filipino people is keeping a close eye on the developments.

“There will be hell to pay if Malacanang allies in the House try to have the impeachment complaint dismissed. It is them who will have an uphill struggle trying to dismiss the complaint while defending Pres. Arroyo given that the entire nation is already convinced that the executive has committed countless impeachable offenses, and electoral fraud and corruption are just two of these,” he said.

Beltran said that among the complainants are leaders from militant people’s organizations such as the urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY), Migrante, Gabriela, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas,Plunderwatch, Karapatan, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and various other community and church-based organizations.

“These are the same organizations that are at the forefront of the gigantic street protests demanding the ouster of Pres. Arroyo. We all support the impeachment complaint as a show of our unity with other sectors and groups of society who think a impeachment process must be initiated against Mrs. Arroyo apart from holding the rallies. The challenge is now to the allies of Pres. Arroyo who have declared before that the latter should be given a chance to explain her side. Will they actually allow her to impeached and thus be given the opportunity to speak out in a formal trial? Will they make good on their word that they will follow the rule of law and not the rule of Macapagal-Arroyo?”

Beltran this morning distributed (Im)peach candies to fellow lawmakers who have not signed the complaint expressing his hope that upon tasting and eating the candies, they will change their minds and support the complaint and immediately transmit the complaint to the senate. He said that he has already sent a handful of the said candies to the Office of Speaker, saying that they should sweeten Speaker Jose de Venecia’s temper against the impeachment complaint and stop his above-board and under-the-table lobbying.

“We hope that the members of the Majority particularly those who are die-hard in their defense of the illegitimate and corrupt presidency would find it in their conscience not to block this process of investigation. They should give their allegiance to the Filipino people who are knocking at the halls of Congress and demanding that it hear out the complaint instead of remaining blindly loyal to Malacanang,” he said.

In the meantime, Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women’s Party launched “Bantay Impeachment” at the House South wing Lobby where the groups served impeachpie and impeachie-pichie to members of the media and attendees to the justice committee hearing.

“Bantay Impeachment” launched in-house signature campaign for all House employees and staff, encouraging them to support the impeachment process, and to urge their bosses to sign the impeachment complaint. “Bantay Impeachment” will also provide as an alternative source of news, giving materials proving the substantiality of the various impeachable offense of Pres. Arroyo, primarily on the massive human rights violations and activist killings; anomalous contracts for the building of public infrastructure and other projects, violation of sovereignty and patrimony laws, and the general undermining of the people’s economic welfare.#

NR0809:Progressive party-lists put up Bantay Impeachment

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release August 9, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
rep_crispin_beltran@yahoo.com.ph
anakpawis_partylist@yahoo.com
cp number 09213907362 geocities.com/ap_news

Progressive party-lists, people’s organizations endorsers of the GMA impeachment complaint to launch “BANTAY IMPEACHMENT” tomorrow in Congress

Anakpawis Party-list, Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women’s Party as well as people’s organizations Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Kalipunan ng Damayang Mhihirap (KADAMAY), Youth DARE, Gabriela, Migrante International, Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR), Gloria Step Down Movement (GSM) Anakbayan and other pro-impeachment groups will be establishing “Bantay ” beginning tomorrow, August, 10, 2005, as the House of Representatives begin deliberations on the impeachment complaint against Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“Bantay Impeachment” is the project of the three progressive party-lists in coordination with people’s organizations under Bayan, whose Congressional representatives and leaders are all signatories and endorsers of the impeachment complaint against Pres Arroyo. It will be set up tomorrow at the HOR’s south wing lobby.

“Bantay Impeachment” will be releasing a regular news bulletin regarding the campaigns of the pro-impeachment groups such as rallies, fora, symposia and signature campaigns. Tomorrow, the three progressive party-lists will be launching an in-house signature campaign for all House employees and staff, encouraging them to support the impeachment process, and to urge their bosses to sign the impeachment complaint.

“Bantay Impeachment” will also provide as an alternative source of news, giving materials proving the substantiality of the various impeachable offense of Pres. Arroyo, primarily on the massive human rights violations and activist killings; anomalous contracts for the building of public infrastructure and other projects, violation of sovereignty and patrimony laws, and the general undermining of the people’s economic welfare.

Various pro-impeachment and pro-ouster paraphernalia such as CDs, buttons and stickers will also be made available for the media. “It is crucial to make sure that the Filipino people be continuously informed on the developments in the impeachment hearings and to safeguard the impeachment process from any and all attempts of Malacanang and its allies in Congress to delay, derail or dismiss the complaint,’ said the Bantay Impeachment coordinators.

A blogsite is also being established, wherein literary luminaries and well-known journalists will be invited to contribute their pieces and writings on the impeachment process and the over-all campaign to remove the corrupt and illegitimate presidency. #

Please contact Ina Silverio at 09213907362 and Tonyo Cruz at 09178928277 for details

NR0809:Malacanang to tap Marcos wealth to kill impeachment

Mula sa Tanggapan ni Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release August 9, 2005
House of Representatives, South Wing Rm 602
931-6615 Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Chief of Staff
rep_crispin_beltran@yahoo.com.ph
anakpawis_partylist@yahoo.com
cp number 09213907362 geocities.com/ap_news

It’s raining money in Congress

Palace plotting to use Marcos wealth as bribe fund to kill impeachment; House leadership challenged to divulge names of solons who signed unity pact against impeachment complaint

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran expressed outrage over reports that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was sending envoys from Malacanang and the Presidential Commission on Good Government to the heirs of Ferdinand Marcos to forge an agreement on the multi-million ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses. According to reports, Malacanang intends part of the still unrecovered wealth for its charter change campaign and as bribe money to lawmakers to kill the impeachment complaint against Mrs. Arroyo.

“This is not a far-fetched thing that the Macapagal-Arroyo camp would utilize all means even underhanded and treacherous ones to protect its illegal and illegitimate claim to the highest office in the land,” he said. “Pres. Arroyo has already been accused before of giving in making under-the-table political settlements with the Marcoses and former Marcos cronies such as Danding Cojuangco in exchange for cash. Mrs. Arroyo and her handlers will stop at nothing to kill the impeachment complaint, and their first logical and expected step would be to secure as much money as they can to steamroll a bribery campaign.”

The veteran labor leader turned legislator said that the PCGG should immediately issue a definitive update on the government’s efforts to recover the Marcos wealth. “For all we know, a significant portion of the wealth has already been squandered by the Macapagal-Arroyo administration and used for corrupt purposes. One such purpose would be for bribery to legislators and other high officials to dissuade them from turning against Pres. Arroyo.”

“This is the only way this corrupt, unscrupulous and illegitimate administration can secure loyalty from its members and followers – via bribery,” he said. “Despite the gravity of the fiscal crisis, it’s raining money in Congress right now courtesy of Malacanang.”

Beltran in the meantime demanded that the House leadership led by Speaker Jose de Venecia and Norberto Nograles release the names of the solons who have allegedly signed a unity pact with Pres. Arroyo and essentially promised they would not support the impeachment complaint against the latter.

“The leadership of the House majority are treating House members like brainless sheep -- - not allowing them to think for themselves and instead coercing them to toe the line instead of letting them exercise their individual and political right to take a stand. Solons should examine their consciences and let themselves be guided by what they really think to be right. They should not allow themselves to be bought or bribed. The country’s future is at stake on this issue, and they should take a stand instead of allowing themselves to be herded off to Mrs. Arroyo’s side with bribe money as the main incentive,” he said.#

Privileged speech delivered by Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran

Signing the anti-poor and anamalous contract of the RP-China Northrail Project is an impeachable offense of PGMA
Privileged speech delivered by Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
August 8, 2005

Mr. Speaker, this Representation rises on a matter of personal and collective privilege. I wish to speak on the assertion made last week by Chinese Ambassador Wu Hongbo that the $530-million Northrail project is above board and “just and legal.” This assertion was made public through media reports all week last week..

Mr. Speaker, in this project building the Northrail, China has taken full advantage of the Philippines, and the Philippine government led by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo allowed it to happen.

The Northrail is being built from Caloocan to Clark Airbase, Pampanga to the Subic Freeport Zone in Zambales and there's an extension from Caloocan to Fort Bonifacio and another from Clark heading towards Poro Point in La Union. All the parts of the project are in the midst of implementation at various levels; what is clear, however, is that the construction is being hurried. Why? Because as the project is being built, the numerous anomalies and violations the project proponents are guilty of are being exposed.

Close scrutiny of the contract between the Philippines and China will expose the project as onerous and that it constitutes a wholesale betrayal of national sovereignty and the welfare of the Filipino poor.

The loan contract between the Philippines and China (titled "Buyer Credit Loan Agreement No. BLA 04055 between the Export-Import Bank of China and Department of Finance of the Republic of the Philippines for the NorthRail Project-Phase 1, Section 1 stands as the official document on which the financial aspects and actual construction plans of the project is based. The terms and conditionalities stated in this contract -as well as the responsibilities of both contracting parties - are shocking and cause for national outrage.

In the contract for the loan release signed on February 26, 2004, the following are stated:

a. The amount the Philippines borrowed for the project is US$400 million. This will be paid for within twenty (20) years with an interest rate of three percent (3) per annum.

b. The payment amount will be divided in 30 installments, with each installment amounting to Thirteen billion, three hundred thirty-three million, three hundred thirty-three thousand, three hundred thirty-three (US$13,333,333.33.)The payment schedule however, as stated in a provision in the contract, will be determined by China and cannot be disobeyed or changed by the Philippines. There is the possibility here that China can demand payment of two, three or four installments in one year and can create payment difficulties for the Philippines.

c. The Philippines will pay a Management Fee of 0.2% of the amount borrowed, or US$800,000 sixty (60) days after the contract signing. Apart from this, the Philippines will pay a Commitment Fee which is the same amount per annum, also 60 days after the signing. The Philippines will also pay US$10,000.00 for the preparations and ratification of the loan agreement.

d.The said loan is what will be utilized for the PNR-MRP project for which the only designated contractor is the China Machinery and Equipment Corporation which is owned by the Chinese government.

It's patently clear that the provisions on the loan conditionalities alone are enough to drive the country even deeper in debt. At the minimum, the Philippines will be paying double the amount it is borrowing, and the country's foreign debt (already pegged at US$57 million) will again grow exponentially if debt payments are delayed;

The following contemptible conditions are also stated in the contract:

a. The Philippines cannot cancel or rescind its part of the contract;
b. All the taxes and fees for various permits necessary for the construction and completion of the project will be shouldered by the Philippines;
c. The laws to govern the contact will be the laws of China, and not of the Philippines, and in the case of any foul-up, the Philippines can be charged by Chinese courts;
d. The Philippines waives control over its assets. This means that the Chinese government can sheriff and take control over the assets of the Philippines with the exemption of diplomatic missions, military installations, and facilities that are "for public use." Apart from this, China can also take control of the Philippines' natural resources, as well as government-owned and controlled corporations and the like;
e. Any loss in profit, financial damages and other expenses that will be incurred as a result of the failure of the Philippines to obey the provisions of the contract will be shouldered by the Philippines;

Mr. Speaker, simula pa noong termino ng Rehimeng Ramos, ang proyekto modernisasyon ng PNR ay may buo ng konsepto at plano sa ilalim ng Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) nito. Nakabalangkas ang MTPDP bilang isang huwad na pangkaunlarang plano sa pagkakapasok ng Pilipinas sa General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) at iba pang maka-isang panig na economic and trade agreements kasama ang ibang bansa. Sa simula pa lang, ang multi-bilyong proyekto sa riles ay pangunahin ng nakaasa sa pamumuhunan at pangungutang sa mga dayuhan.

Simula pa 2003 pilit ng itinatago sa kaalaman ng sambayanan ang nilalaman ng “sell-out” at makaisang panig na kasunduang ito na kung saan tahasang niyuyurakan ang soberanya ng bansa at higit na maglulubog sa bayan sa pagkakautang sa mga dayuhan. At ngayon, bumulagta sa ating lahat ang pagkakalantad ng lihim na pakikipagkasundo ng pamahalaang Arroyo sa China at Korea na silang mga partners ng Pilipinas sa proyektong pa-riles.

Upang maiwasan ang mga malawakang protesta na ibubunga ng proyekto, nagpapalaganap ang pamahalaang Arroyo ng malawakang panlilinlang tungkol sa proyekto. Pinagsanib ang iba’t-ibang ahensya na pinamumunuan ni Bise-Presidente Noli de Castro at kinuntsaba ang mga Local Government Units at mga grupong kunwariy nagbabantay sa riles at humihingi ng relokasyon para sa mga apektado.

Walang kahihiyang ipinapahayag ni Bise-Presidente Noli de Castro na isinasaayos nila ang relokasyon ng mga residente sa tabing riles at ipinagyayabang pa na may nakalaang pondo na matatanggap ang mga maralita sa daang bakal.

Taliwas sa kasungalingang ito ang kalunos-lunos na kalagayan sa ngayon ng mga naninirahan sa tent sa Bayugo, Meycauan, Bulacan at yaong mga pinatapon sa Panghulo, Malabon, Bignay, Valenzuela at sa Townsvile, San Jose del Monte Bulacan. Dagdag pa rito ang mga nagpapalaboy ngayong mga pamilya na walang matirhan dulot ng pasistang demolisyon sa daang bakal.

Sa panimula ng panlilinlang, may kuntsabahan ang LGU, NHA at mga grupong nagpapanggap na maka-mahirap para lokahin ang mga maralita sa daang bakal. Sinasabi nila sa mga residenteng may malaking halaga silang matatanggap kung sila’y boluntaryong maggigiba kanilang bahay. Kasabay nito ang pananakot na kung hindi sila agad aalis, mauubusan sila ng magandang puwesto, hindi na makakakuha ng tulong pinansyal, at sa malaon ay sapilitan din namang palalayasin

Ang katotohanan, walang mahahawakang pera ang mga napapalayas sa daang bakal. Ang ilang mauuna ay ipakikitang binigyan ng P11,000. Ito ay upang magsunuran ang iba pa sa paggiba ng kanilang bahay. Matapos maisagawa ang gibaan,patitirahin sila sa isang tent na ipahihiram lamang sa loob ng 5 araw sa isang relokasyon na walang serbisyo sa tubig, walang kuryente at walang kubeta.

Ang ilang papalaring makakuha ng relokasyon ay hindi dapat pumalya sa pagbabayad ng upa. Sa maikling sabi, dahil wala ngang regular na kita, ang maralitang ni-relocate ay palalayasin din kalaunan.

Mr. Speaker, walang sapat na pondo para sa relokasyon. Para pa lang sa Phase I, Section 1 ng Northrail o ang proyekto mula sa Caloocan hanggang Malolos- kinakailangan na ng US$82 million (P5 bilyon) para sa relokasyon ng mahigit 20,000 pamilyang naninirahan sa daang bakal. Ang halagang ito ay counterpart ng Pilipinas sa proyekto na ang ibig sabihin ay hindi maaring ibawas sa pondong inutang sa China.

Everyone knows that the government’s finances is in the red. Taong 2003 pa ay mayroon na itong budget deficit na nagkakhalaga ng P200 milyon. Sa sumunod na taon lalo pang lumala ang kalagayang ito dahil sa paglustay ng pamahalaan ng kanyang pondo para gamitin sa kampanya ni Gng. Arroyo noong nakaraang eleksyon. Kaya naman ng mapilitang itong umamin na nasa fiscal crisis ang bansa, at desperado itong nagpapataw ng kaliwa’t kanang buwis at magkandarapa na mang-aakit ng dayuhang pamumuhunan at pangungutang.

Kung gayon, saan kukunin ng pamahalaan ang ganito kalaking halaga. Maging ang NHA ay aminadong wala itong ganoon kalaking halaga at na kailangan pang mangutang ng panibago para may maipanggastos para dito.

Kung walang sapat na pondo ang pamahalaan para sa relokasyon ng 20,000 pamilya sa kahabaan ng Phase I Section I pa lang ng riles mula Caloocan hanggang Malolos, paano pa ito magkakaroon ng pondo para sa 85,000 pamilya na nasa kahabaan ng riles mula Caloocan hanggang Alabang?

Mr. Speaker, walang sinuman ang nagnanais na manirahan sa maingay at peligrosong lugar gaya ng tabing riles. Ngunit dahil sa inkapasidad ng gobyernong ito na lumikha ng desente at nakabubuhay na trabaho, marami ang napilitang mapadpad at manirahan sa daang bakal at iba pang mapanganib na lugar.

Hangga’t nanatiling laganap ang kawalan ng trabaho, hangga’t nanatiling limos ang sahod ng mga manggagawa, at habang ang mga magsasaka’y patuloy na nasasadlak sa hirap dahil sa kawalan ng sariling lupang sinasaka- magpapatuloy na maninirahan ang maraming mamamayan maging sa mga pinakamarumi at pinakapeligrosong lugar sa kalunsuran.

Mr. Speaker, mga kagalang-galang na kinatawan, ang Philippine National Railways ay isang pampublikong industriya sa transportasyon na dapat sanang nagsisilbi sa mamamayan bilang bahagi ng serbisyong panlipunan ng pamahalaan. Ngunit dahil taksil sa interes ng sambayanan ang bangkaroteng rehimeng Arroyo, ang solusyon nito ay patakarang pribatisasyon imbis sa serbisyong panlipunan.Dahil sa pribatisasyon, walang pusong ginigib ang mga bahay ng libo-libong maralita, mabigyang daan lang ang ma-anomalyang at maka-isang panig na proyekto.

The Philippine government's involvement in this contract with China constitutes a national betrayal as the government surrenders national sovereignty and patrimony to China. The Philippine government led by Mrs. Arroyo has put up the country's natural resources and other assets as collateral and financial guarantee for a project that will not benefit the Filipino people but instead provide greater convenience to foreign investors at the expense of Philippine laws and the welfare of hundreds of thousands of residents.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, this Representation would like to assert that the President is impeachable for signing this contract with China. She abused her authority as executive and bypassed the authority of other branches of govenrment to scrutinize and decide on the nature of this contract and its impact not only on the economy, the country’s foreign policy, but on the very lives and furture of millions of Filipinos. This issue alone when fully exposed and explained to the public is enough to convince those remaining Filipinos who have not yet taken a stand to demand Pres. Arroyo’s impeachment and immediate removal from office. The approval of this anomalous project is included in the impeachment complaint Anakpawis supports, the same complaint that will be heard this coming Wednesday. This is all Mr. Speaker, thank you and good evening.#

Privileged speech delivered by Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran

Signing the anti-poor and anamalous contract of the RP-China Northrail Project is an impeachable offense of PGMA
Privileged speech delivered by Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
August 8, 2005



Mr. Speaker, this Representation rises on a matter of personal and collective privilege. I wish to speak on the assertion made last week by Chinese Ambassador Wu Hongbo that the $530-million Northrail project is above board and “just and legal.” This assertion was made public through media reports all week last week..



Mr. Speaker, in this project building the Northrail, China has taken full advantage of the Philippines, and the Philippine government led by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo allowed it to happen.

The Northrail is being built from Caloocan to Clark Airbase, Pampanga to the Subic Freeport Zone in Zambales and there's an extension from Caloocan to Fort Bonifacio and another from Clark heading towards Poro Point in La Union. All the parts of the project are in the midst of implementation at various levels; what is clear, however, is that the construction is being hurried. Why? Because as the project is being built, the numerous anomalies and violations the project proponents are guilty of are being exposed.


Close scrutiny of the contract between the Philippines and China will expose the project as onerous and that it constitutes a wholesale betrayal of national sovereignty and the welfare of the Filipino poor.


The loan contract between the Philippines and China (titled "Buyer Credit Loan Agreement No. BLA 04055 between the Export-Import Bank of China and Department of Finance of the Republic of the Philippines for the NorthRail Project-Phase 1, Section 1 stands as the official document on which the financial aspects and actual construction plans of the project is based. The terms and conditionalities stated in this contract -as well as the responsibilities of both contracting parties - are shocking and cause for national outrage.



In the contract for the loan release signed on February 26, 2004, the following are stated:

a. The amount the Philippines borrowed for the project is US$400 million. This will be paid for within twenty (20) years with an interest rate of three percent (3) per annum.

b. The payment amount will be divided in 30 installments, with each installment amounting to Thirteen billion, three hundred thirty-three million, three hundred thirty-three thousand, three hundred thirty-three (US$13,333,333.33.)The payment schedule however, as stated in a provision in the contract, will be determined by China and cannot be disobeyed or changed by the Philippines. There is the possibility here that China can demand payment of two, three or four installments in one year and can create payment difficulties for the Philippines.

c. The Philippines will pay a Management Fee of 0.2% of the amount borrowed, or US$800,000 sixty (60) days after the contract signing. Apart from this, the Philippines will pay a Commitment Fee which is the same amount per annum, also 60 days after the signing. The Philippines will also pay US$10,000.00 for the preparations and ratification of the loan agreement.

d.The said loan is what will be utilized for the PNR-MRP project for which the only designated contractor is the China Machinery and Equipment Corporation which is owned by the Chinese government.

It's patently clear that the provisions on the loan conditionalities alone are enough to drive the country even deeper in debt. At the minimum, the Philippines will be paying double the amount it is borrowing, and the country's foreign debt (already pegged at US$57 million) will again grow exponentially if debt payments are delayed;

The following contemptible conditions are also stated in the contract:

a. The Philippines cannot cancel or rescind its part of the contract;
b. All the taxes and fees for various permits necessary for the construction and completion of the project will be shouldered by the Philippines;
c. The laws to govern the contact will be the laws of China, and not of the Philippines, and in the case of any foul-up, the Philippines can be charged by Chinese courts;
d. The Philippines waives control over its assets. This means that the Chinese government can sheriff and take control over the assets of the Philippines with the exemption of diplomatic missions, military installations, and facilities that are "for public use." Apart from this, China can also take control of the Philippines' natural resources, as well as government-owned and controlled corporations and the like;
e. Any loss in profit, financial damages and other expenses that will be incurred as a result of the failure of the Philippines to obey the provisions of the contract will be shouldered by the Philippines;

Mr. Speaker, simula pa noong termino ng Rehimeng Ramos, ang proyekto modernisasyon ng PNR ay may buo ng konsepto at plano sa ilalim ng Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) nito. Nakabalangkas ang MTPDP bilang isang huwad na pangkaunlarang plano sa pagkakapasok ng Pilipinas sa General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) at iba pang maka-isang panig na economic and trade agreements kasama ang ibang bansa. Sa simula pa lang, ang multi-bilyong proyekto sa riles ay pangunahin ng nakaasa sa pamumuhunan at pangungutang sa mga dayuhan.



Simula pa 2003 pilit ng itinatago sa kaalaman ng sambayanan ang nilalaman ng “sell-out” at makaisang panig na kasunduang ito na kung saan tahasang niyuyurakan ang soberanya ng bansa at higit na maglulubog sa bayan sa pagkakautang sa mga dayuhan. At ngayon, bumulagta sa ating lahat ang pagkakalantad ng lihim na pakikipagkasundo ng pamahalaang Arroyo sa China at Korea na silang mga partners ng Pilipinas sa proyektong pa-riles.



Upang maiwasan ang mga malawakang protesta na ibubunga ng proyekto, nagpapalaganap ang pamahalaang Arroyo ng malawakang panlilinlang tungkol sa proyekto. Pinagsanib ang iba’t-ibang ahensya na pinamumunuan ni Bise-Presidente Noli de Castro at kinumtsaba ang mga Local Government Units at mga grupong kunwariy nagbabantay sa riles at humihingi ng relokasyon para sa mga apektado.



Walang kahihiyang ipinapahayag ni Bise- Presidente Noli de Castro na isinasaayos nila ang relokasyon ng mga residente sa tabing riles at ipinagyayabang pa na may nakalaang pondo na matatanggap ang mga maralita sa daang bakal.



Taliwas sa kasungalingang ito ang kalunos-lunos na kalagayan sa ngayon ng mga naninirahan sa tent sa Bayugo, Meycauan, Bulacan at yaong mga pinatapon sa Panghulo, Malabon, Bignay, Valenzuela at sa Townsvile, San Jose del Monte Bulacan. Dagdag pa rito ang mga nagpapalaboy ngayong mga pamilya na walang matirhan dulot ng pasistang demolisyon sa daang bakal.



Sa panimula ng panlilinlang, may kuntsabahan ang LGU, NHA at mga grupong nagpapanggap na maka-mahirap para lokahin ang mga maralita sa daang bakal. Sinasabi nila sa mga residenteng may malaking halaga silang matatanggap kung sila’y boluntaryong maggigiba kanilang bahay. Kasabay nito ang pananakot na kung hindi sila agad aalis, mauubusan sila ng magandang puwesto, hindi na makakakuha ng tulong pinansyal, at sa malaon ay sapilitan din namang palalayasin



Ang katotohanan, walang mahahawakang pera ang mga napapalayas sa daang bakal. Ang ilang mauuna ay ipakikitang binigyan ng P11,000. Ito ay upang magsunuran ang iba pa sa paggiba ng kanilang bahay. Matapos maisagawa ang gibaan,patitirahin sila sa isang tent na ipahihiram lamang sa loob ng 5 araw sa isang relokasyon na walang serbisyo sa tubig, walang kuryente at walang kubeta.



Ang ilang papalaring makakuha ng relokasyon ay hindi dapat pumalya sa pagbabayad ng upa. Sa maikling sabi, dahil wala ngang regular na kita, ang maralitang ni-relocate ay palalayasin din kalaunan.



Mr. Speaker, walang sapat na pondo para sa relokasyon. Para pa lang sa Phase I, Section 1 ng Northrail o ang proyekto mula sa Caloocan hanggang Malolos- kinakailangan na ng US$82 million (P5 bilyon) para sa relokasyon ng mahigit 20,000 pamilyang naninirahan sa daang bakal. Ang halagang ito ay counterpart ng Pilipinas sa proyekto na ang ibig sabihin ay hindi maaring ibawas sa pondong inutang sa China.



Everyone knows that the government’s finances is in the red. Taong 2003 pa ay mayroon na itong budget deficit na nagkakhalaga ng P200 milyon. Sa sumunod na taon lalo pang lumala ang kalagayang ito dahil sa paglustay ng pamahalaan ng kanyang pondo para gamitin sa kampanya ni Gng. Arroyo noong nakaraang eleksyon. Kaya naman ng mapilitang itong umamin na nasa fiscal crisis ang bansa, at desperado itong nagpapataw ng kaliwa’t kanang buwis at magkandarapa na mang-aakit ng dayuhang pamumuhunan at pangungutang.



Kung gayon, saan kukunin ng pamahalaan ang ganito kalaking halaga. Maging ang NHA ay aminadong wala itong ganoon kalaking halaga at na kailangan pang mangutang ng panibago para may maipanggastos para dito.



Kung walang sapat na pondo ang pamahalaan para sa relokasyon ng 20,000 pamilya sa kahabaan ng Phase I Section I pa lang ng riles mula Caloocan hanggang Malolos, paano pa ito magkakaroon ng pondo para sa 85,000 pamilya na nasa kahabaan ng riles mula Caloocan hanggang Alabang?



Mr. Speaker, walang sinuman ang nagnanais na manirahan sa maingay at peligrosong lugar gaya ng tabing riles. Ngunit dahil sa inkapasidad ng gobyernong ito na lumikha ng desente at nakabubuhay na trabaho, marami ang napilitang mapadpad at manirahan sa daang bakal at iba pang mapanganib na lugar.



Hangga’t nanatiling laganap ang kawalan ng trabaho, hangga’t nanatiling limos ang sahod ng mga manggagawa, at habang ang mga magsasaka’y patuloy na nasasadlak sa hirap dahil sa kawalan ng sariling lupang sinasaka- magpapatuloy na maninirahan ang maraming mamamayan maging sa mga pinakamarumi at pinakapeligrosong lugar sa kalunsuran.



Mr. Speaker, mga kagalang-galang na kinatawan, ang Philippine National Railways ay isang pampublikong industriya sa transportasyon na dapat sanang nagsisilbi sa mamamayan bilang bahagi ng serbisyong panlipunan ng pamahalaan. Ngunit dahil taksil sa interes ng sambayanan ang bangkaroteng rehimeng Arroyo, ang solusyon nito ay patakarang pribatisasyon imbis sa serbisyong panlipunan.Dahil sa pribatisasyon, walang pusong ginigib ang mga bahay ng libo-libong maralita, mabigyang daan lang ang ma-anomalyang at maka-isang panig na proyekto.



The Philippine government's involvement in this contract with China constitutes a national betrayal as the government surrenders national sovereignty and patrimony to China. The Philippine government led by Mrs. Arroyo has put up the country's natural resources and other assets as collateral and financial guarantee for a project that will not benefit the Filipino people but instead provide greater convenience to foreign investors at the expense of Philippine laws and the welfare of hundreds of thousands of residents.



Finally, Mr. Speaker, this Representation would like to assert that the President is impeachable for signing this contract with China. She abused her authority as executive and bypassed the authority of other branches of govenrment to scrutinize and decide on the nature of this contract and its impact not only on the economy, the country’s foreign policy, but on the very lives and furture of millions of Filipinos. This issue alone when fully exposed and explained to the public is enough to convince those remaining Filipinos who have not yet taken a stand to demand Pres. Arroyo’s impeachment and immediate removal from office. The approval of this anomalous project is included in the impeachment complaint Anakpawis supports, the same complaint that will be heard this coming Wednesday. This is all Mr. Speaker, thank you and good evening.#






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