How the High Court will treat Rep. Ocampo's case litmus test for other cases of those similarly accused

Friday March 30, 2007

How the High Court will treat Rep. Ocampo's case litmus test for other cases of those similarly accused

Anakpawis and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that that how the Supreme Court will decide on the case of Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo will be the litmus test on how the judicial system will also treat the cases of the other political activists and former political detainees similarly charged.

Among the two others accused in the same case filed against Ocampo are two Anakpawis leaders Rafael Baylosis and Randal Echanis. Baylosis is Anakpawis' national vice chairman and secretary for internal political affairs of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), while Echanis is an executive committee member of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), one of Anakpawis' main affiliated organizations.

"How the Supreme Court will treat Rep. Ocampo's case will reveal the tack the judicial system will take when handling the cases of the others similarly accused. The arguments that Rep. Ocampo present are no different from those that will also be used in defending and proving the innocence of the others like Rafael Baylosis. Raffy was nowhere near Leyte when the alleged purges and executions happened as he was mainly based in the National Capital Region (NCR) at the time. Also, as Atty. Romeo Capulong points out, the mass graves dug up are fake, the same way that the skeletal remains are recycled and have never been authenticated through forensic processes," he said.

Beltran said that the public support being extended to Rep. Ocampo also extends to the others who are being accused of perpetrating the same alleged crime. "The public outcry against the harassment and persecution Rep. Ocampo is being subjected to is directed against the Macapagal-Arroyo administration and the president's senior henchmen led by National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales and Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez. Political activists like Raffy Baylosis and progressive lawmakers such as Rep. Ocampo and myself are being persecuted as part of the Arroyo government's comprehensive plan to cripple and debilitate the activist mass movement denouncing worsening corruption and deteriorating human rights in the country," he said.

Beltran to begin fasting anew in solidarity with human rights activities in Southern Tagalog region

In the meantime, Beltran is all set to begin another round of fasting this coming Lenten Season. He went on a six-day fast last week in protest of the arrest of Ocampo and the slow developments in his own case. Beginning April 1, Beltran will once more limit his food intake and embark on another week-long fast. This time it's in solidarity with the political detainees in Southern Tagalog, collectively known as the Tagaytay 5 and the Mamburao 6. The Tagaytay 5 have been fasting for almost a month now.

Leaders of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU)- Southern-Tagalog, Anakpawis Southern-Tagalog and the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas will also be participating in a sympathy fast for the political detainees. Southern Tagalog has a large concentration of workers and unions in export processing zones where labor exploitation is high and trade union repression is also rife.

"The government has embarked on this infamous campaign of political persecution because it has been unable to quell the protests against the worsening economic conditions faced by the Filipino people. Far from being able to address the issues of worsening poverty, hunger and homelessness, The Arroyo government has taken to harassing, arresting and even killing those who denounce this failure. The human rights situation in the Philippines continues to deteriorate because the economic welfare of the Filipino is also constantly worsening. This Lenten Season, the protests against the crimes of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration will persist. Political detainees are united in condemning the worsening political repression in the country," he said. #

Palparan should be barred from running for any public office – Beltran

Thursday March 29, 2007

Palparan should be barred from running for any public office – Beltran

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that the Commission on Elections should not have accepted Jovito Palparan's candidacy as representative of what is obviously a bogus party-list. Beltran said that Palparan was a self-confessed human rights violator and the mastermind of hundreds extrajudicial killings in the country. He said that Palparan's entry is the party-list elections was a mockery of the party-lists system.

"Palaparan doesn't belong in congress, he belongs behind bars. He will not give voice to any marginalized sector, he will represent the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and further perpetuate the policy of political harassment and intimidation against legitimate critics of the administration. Palparan's record's a more spotted than a Dalmatian and he should be barred from running for public office," Beltran.

"In any case, all efforts must be made to ensure Palparan and his bogus party-list's defeat in May. Even those who do not support the bloc of progressive party-lists led by Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party must see that Palparan's burgeoning involvement in mainstream politics only confirms that there is a comprehensive government plot to destroy the essence of genuine party-list representation. Palparan is a human rights violator, a cold-blooded killer. He has brought about the death of hundreds of men, women, children and senior citizens in his bloody campaign against the progressive party-lists and militant people's organizations. It is the duty and responsibility of every Filipino who believes in upholding human rights to ensure that Palparan does not win in May," he said.

Circulate the Alston report locally, internationally

The activist lawmaker in the meantime said that the contents of United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Philip Alston's full report to the UNHRC were without doubt the most damning official document by an international institution to come out on the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. He said that it was an uncompromising indictment of the Arroyo government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Beltran said that Alston's report should and will be circulated by human rights groups and people's organizations all over the world – to all contacts among individuals, church formations, and other cause-oriented institutions. He also appealed to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to make Alston's report required reading for all its members, and also circulate it among members of the religious community.

"The world has to know how the Arroyo government has all but killed and dismembered human rights in the Philippines . Far from being a genuine democracy, the Philippines has become a bastion of corruption and extreme political repression and state violence. Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's continued patronage of the AFP and her relentless defense of its campaign against the progressive party-lists in the guise of fighting the insurgency should be exposed internationally and condemned," he said.

He expressed hope that more members and human rights vanguard institutions of the international human rights community will join the growing movement for human rights in the Philippines and call for the suspension of economic and military aid in the country so long as the extrajudicial killings persist. "All foreign aid to the Philippine government must be suspended so long as the killings continue. This will be a strong message that the Arroyo government will be unable to ignore, being so reliant on foreign financial assistance," he said. "There is nothing that the Arroyo government can do or say to refute the report's findings and conclusions short of suing Alston and the UNHRC; but even then, its purpose to clear its name and reputation would all the more fail."#

Number two tries harder; top party-lists will not be complacent over results of recent surveys and watch out for fraud in May

Wednesday March 28, 2007

Number two tries harder; top party-lists will not be complacent over results of recent surveys and watch out for fraud in May

"Number two always tries harder."

This was the reaction of Anakpawis lawmaker and political detainee Crispin Beltran over reports that the party-list he represents as first nominee as chairman remains at the number two spot in the survey of the top party-lists. Beltran expressed elation over the report and extended his congratulations to Anakpawis' sister parties Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party for taking the first and third places respectively.

"This only proves that for all of National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales and the two Hermogenes' (Ebdane and Esperon of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of National Defense) malicious attacks against us and our members, the Filipino people still continue to support us. They see through all the lies and the tactics of the AFP and the DND, and these very same dirty and underhanded tactics the Macapagal-Arroyo administration has employed against us have boomeranged against them and made our party-lists and advocacies even more popular."

"For this we thank the AFP, the DND and Sec. Norberto Gonzales."

The veteran labor leader and lawmaker said that the Macapagal-Arroyo administration should immediately cease and desist from its attacks against the progressive party-lists and their lawmakers "Unless the government is really hell-bent on making us even more popular. Our continuing strength in the surveys are also a tribute to the lives our members, supporters and leaders sacrificed. So many people have been killed in the furtherance of our case to make the politics of change and the politics of the masses reach the halls of congress and the mainstream political arena," he said.

Beltran, however, said that under no circumstances is Anakpawis or its sister parties going to sit on their laurels and become complacent.

"The surveys are one thing, but the actual elections and the results are another thing. Given how determined the Macapagal-Arroyo government is to defeat and crush our party-lists, it's not paranoia to say that we stand to be cheated by a great deal in the upcoming May elections. The Commission on Elections has ruled against calls to disqualify the bogus party-lists being exposed as fronts for the Arroyo administration and its allies, and we can't help but see this as a warning sign. We are on red alert against being victimized by massive-scale and systematic fraud in May."

"We will work assiduously to keep our members and supporters from being disenfranchised in the polls. Now more than ever there is a need to be vigilant against the Macapagal-Arroyo administration's poll fraud machinery," he concluded.#

If Pres. Arroyo wants happy and positive reportage, she should stick to reading the lifestyle pages- Beltran

Wednesday March 28, 2007

If Pres. Arroyo wants happy and positive reportage, she should stick to reading the lifestyle pages- Beltran

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today that Pres Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's continuing assertions that she upholds human rights and respects freedom of the press stank of hypocrisy and it was better off that she refrain from issuing such statements "because she's only revealing her hypocrisy more."

"How else can she make these comments when the international community is practically banging on her door step exhorting her to order the military to stop the extrajudicial killings and the harassment against the bloc of progressive party-lists? How can she continue to say that she respects freedom of the press and not self-combust from same when her own husband is a slapping libel suits against journalists, columnists and newspaper editors left and rights? Mrs Arroyo should put her money where her mouth is. It's become apparent that she will not abandon the AFP and that she will continue to condone the extra-judicial killings; but her husband? The least she can do is to tell her husband the First Gentleman to drop all the libel suits," he said.

"Pres. Arroyo attributes herself as a champion for press freedom while at the same time she exhorts the media to stop reporting the realities of extrajudicial killings, widespread corruption, and low public confidence in her and her administration. Pres. Arroyo, with the help of the First Gentleman and his various henchmen, are an inch away from ordering an all-out crackdown on the vigilant media. There is no doubt that Pres. Arroyo would much rather the newspapers completely dropped all reports about current social realities. If Mrs. Arroyo wants happy and positive news, she should stick to the lifestyle section. Her government is the main source of bad news in this country," he said.

Comelec should investigate reports of proliferation of bogus party-lists; reconsider decision on 11 pro-Macapagal-Arroyo party-lists

In the meantime, the veteran labor leader urged the Commission on Elections and Comelec chair Benjamin Abalos to reconsider their decision to disqualify party-lists exposed as fronts for the Arroyo government. This is light of recent reports that the Office of the External Affairs had offered financial support to non-government organizations (NGOs) to run as party-list groups in the May 14 polls.

An informant exposing the scam said that he himself was offered twice to become the nominee of party-list groups formed by certain individuals at the Palace. The offer ranged from P5 million to P20 million. The man said that he was asked to be the nominee of LYPAD (Youth League for Peace Advancement), which the Comelec accredited last February 3.

"The party-lists system is being maliciously infiltrated by fake party-lists whose loyalties are not with the marginalized sectors they claim to represent, but with the Macapagal-Arroyo administration. These are the party-lists that will benefit most from the electoral fraud campaign we are certain the administration is preparing to enact as the countdown to the May elections begins. The sole legislative and political agenda of these bogus party-lists is to strengthen Macapagal-Arroyo's control and influence in the House of Representatives," he said.

Beltran said that the Comelec should not contribute to the further disenfranchisement of the marginalized sectors and ban and disqualify these suspicious, upstart party-lists.#

Cardinal Rosales indirectly absolving the AFP, Macapagal-Arroyo government of responsibility over extrajudicial killings

Tuesday March 27, 2007

Cardinal Rosales indirectly absolving the AFP, Macapagal-Arroyo government of responsibility over extrajudicial killings

On his sixth day of fasting, Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales 'completely missed the whole point' on the issue of the extrajudicial killings and worsening human rights situation in the country. He said that Rosales was essentially defending the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and absolving the institution and its members from culpability over the killings by giving credence to its arguments that the New People's Army (NPA) were also guilty.

"It's most unfortunate that Cardinal Rosales can even think to say that the extrajudicial killings under the incumbent government are nothing compared to those perpetrated by the Marcos dictatorship. It's like he's trying to downplay the urgency of the need to find justice for the victims and put an end to the killings. Is he saying that we should wait for the number of extrajudicial killings under Macapagal-Arroyo reach or exceed the record set by Marcos before we sound the alarm?"

"Cardinal Rosales has begun to be convinced by the twisted arguments and lies of the AFP that the progressive party-lists are fronts for the NPA and the Communist Party of the Philippines, and this is a very terrible mistake. The victims of the extrajudicial killings are unarmed civilians, members and leaders of the progressive party-lists, and all the signs point towards the AFP as the perpetrators of the killings. Cardinal Rosales sounds like he is already giving up on the campaign to find justice for the victims and is now just spreading the blame around instead of focusing on the institution that's mainly responsible for upholding human rights in the country but is now violating them: the Macapagal-Arroyo government," he said.

Beltran expressed hope that other bishops, cardinals and priests will not take the same tack as Rosales and instead see the issue of the extrajudicial killings as it really is: the responsibility of the Macapagal-Arroyo government. He also lauded Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo and his report endorsing the public call for the pull-out of AFP troops from the urban poor communities and residential areas in the National Capital Region.

In the meantime, Beltran said that he was already preparing to welcome the delegation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union as the IPU conducts its own human rights mission in the Philippines in April. He expressed thanks to the IPU for its continued support to his case and to that of fellow detained lawmaker Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo.

"The more the international community speaks out in condemnation of the extrajudicial killings and over-all worsening of the human rights situation in the country, the greater the chances of the Arroyo government being compelled to stop the killings, as well as the harassment against the progressive party-lists and their lawmakers," he said.

He also said that he will also update the IPU on the slow developments in thelegal proceedings on the cases surrounding his arrest and continuing detention. Beltran and his lawyers are set to file a petition for certiorari on Beltran's sedition case at the Quezon City Municipal Trial Court. Beltran's attorneys want to elevate the case to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court and there press for the immediate dismissal of the sedition charges against Beltran.

Beltran is being charged of inciting to sedition and rebellion on two separate counts. The rebellion charges were filed at the Makati Regional Trial Court. #

Anakpawis lawmakers score administration proposal to regulate surveys, say government is sour-graping

Monday March 26, 2007

Anakpawis lawmakers score administration proposal to regulate surveys, say government is sour-graping

Anakpawis Representatives Crispin Beltran and Rafael Mariano today said that there was a comprehensive administration public campaign to cast doubt on pre-election surveys. They said that that the campaign was meant to convince the voting populace that surveys we are just paid political propaganda and are essentially useless.

The Anakpawis lawmakers said that the campaign codenamed Oplan Havana is primarily a campaign launched via via mass media to expose the supposed inconsistencies of recent survey results carried out by SWS and Pulse Asia. Anakpawis was given a copy of the guidelines of Oplan Havana by an ally.

"Oplan Havana is a plot hatched by certain candidates in Team Unity who are trailing badly in the surveys. It aims to discredit the electoral surveys because obviously, these surveys indicate that the Team Unity candidates are at the losing end against the candidates of the Genuine Opposition. The administration cannot deny that the electoral surveys have the effect of further setting a trend in the preferences of the voting public," they said. "The administration is just sour graping because they are not benefitting any from these independent surveys."

Beltran said that accrording to sources, Oplan Havana aims to create a scenario wherein Filipinos will mistrust surveys and make them believe that thse surveys are lacking in credibility and are just empty political propaganda. The administration and Team Unity candidates intent to infuse millions of pesos in a separate media bliztkreig to discredit the surveys.

"Already staunch Malacañang defender Davao Rep. Prospero Nograles is calling for the regulation of electoral surveys. This is without doubt because of the continued failure of the Arroyo administration's Team Unity candidates to rate high in the surveys. If the surveys were showing opposite results and the Team Unity candidates were rating high, it's doubtful that the administration and its allies like Rep. Nograles will find it a necessity to have the surveys regulated," Beltran said.

Mariano, in the meantime, said that having the surveys subjected to guidelines and regulations based on Malacanang's standards was tantamount to censorship. "This is state control at its worse – the Arroyo administration wants to control the functions and the mandate of the survey groups to conduct random but efficient surveys that reflect current public sentiment. This is also an insult against the survey groups the SWS and Pulse Asia," he said.

The Anakpawis lawmakers said that Malacanang and Team Unity's fear of the surveys was well-founded because the administration candidates were sorely trailing in the survey results. "But why take it out on the survey groups? They're just the messengers. Team Unity candidates are trailing in the surveys because they are associated with Pres. Gloria Arroyo whose own approval ratings are negative."

Beltran's arraignment on Monday; calls on court to dismiss false charges against him in the interest of justice and truth

March 25, 2007

Beltran's arraignment on Monday; calls on court to dismiss false charges against him in the interest of justice and truth

Now on his 4th day of fasting, Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran said that he is very much prepared to once more face his accusers in court tomorrow, March 25 as the arraignment for the sedition case against him is heard at the Metropolitan Trial Court of Metro Manila Branch 43 in Quezon City at 1:30 pm. He is still demanding the court dismiss all charges against him and immediately have him released in the interest of justice and truth.

"It has been months since the court heard my case, and it's a grievous violation against my rights. As an elected lawmaker, I have the right to immunity, but the courts have chosen to ignore this fact. The leadership of the House of Representatives led by Speaker Jose de Venecia have also done nothing to vouch for me and my rights. Despite all this, however, I remain in fighting form and I'm ready to prove that all the charges and testimonies made against me by the various 'pakawala' of the Macapagal-Arroyo government are out and out lies," he said.

Beltran, 74, has been fasting since Wednesday in protest of his continuing detention and the attacks against fellow progressive lawmakers, mainly Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo. He also began his fast in solidarity with and in gratitude to other political detainees all over the country protesting against his and Ocampo's incarceration.

"It's yet another testament to how twisted the judicial system in the country is, the way the courts are still slow to discern genuine and legitimate cases from purely politically-motivated ones, cases that in truth should be considered 'nuisance cases' and a waste of public funds. The charges of sedition and rebellion against me are all baseless, and the results of a malicious and vicious plot to weaken the progressive bloc of party-lists and their effective campaign of being the voice of the Filipino people in the congress. Malacanang and the Department of Justice led by Sec. Raul Gonzalez and well as national security adviser Norberto Gonzales continue to pursue these charges against me not because I am guilty of them, but because they are pikon. They are retaliating in this underhanded way for all the just and legitimate criticism we have made against them and their policies that attack the Filipino people's economic, political and human rights."

The court has denied Beltran 's motion to quash the government's move to proceed with Criminal Case No. 132943 or the case charging him with sedition. The court has ordered a full-blown trial. The decision was laid down by Acting Presiding Judge Thelma de los Santos.

The court is ordering that the sedition case against Beltran be deliberated in a full-blown hearing, denying the motion of Beltran's lawyers that the case be immediately dismissed on the grounds that Beltran's arrest on February 25, 2006 was illegal and that the arresting officers did not have a warrant for his arrest much less clear-cut charges to back it up. The court also denied the assertion of Beltran's lawyers that the court erred in holding that the crime of inciting to sedition can be absorbed in the crime of rebellion despite the clear ruling in People vs. Hernandez and People vs. Geronimo.

The court found the arguments of the lawyers against the coupling of the crime of inciting to sedition with the crime of rebellion. The court said that the crime consist of two separate acts each of which have their own criminal intents and hence should be tried separately.

Beltran's lawyers led by the Public Interest Law Center's President Atty. Romeo Capulong, Atty. Amylyn Sato and Atty. Rachel Pastores intend to file a motion for certiorari on the sedition case. They insist that sedition and rebellion charges should be heard as one and the same. They have been petitioning the court that the more serious case of rebellion should be heard while the sedition charges should be dropped. #

THE MEDIA IS REQUESTED TO COVER REP. BELTRAN'S ARRAIGMENT ON MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2007 AT THE QC RTC NEAR THE QUEZON CITY HALL AT 1:30 PM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

PGMA turning RP into a nation of mendicants and paupers via her program of food-for-work and food for-school program

March 25, 2007

PGMA turning RP into a nation of mendicants and paupers via her program of food-for-work and food for-school program

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is turning the Philippines into 'a nation of paupers and mendicants reliant on alms and dole-outs' through her latest plan to release P1B billion pesos food-for-school and food-for-work programs and for various feeding programs.

Arroyo said that that the barangay food terminals, or "bagsakan" centers, where the poor can buy cheap food and basic commodities, would benefit some 200,000 of 700,000 hungry families in Metro Manila by next month.

"This is how Pres. Arroyo intends to address the issue of worsening hunger? Selling them cheap food? And where does she think the poor will get the money to but the food, however cheap it is? Pres. Arroyo is offering a Band-Aid solution to a gaping wound caused by severe hunger pangs. Making sure that cheap food is accessible to the poor is far from enough; what Filipinos is need is not dole-outs or cheap, low-quality food, they need steady employment and living wages. Hunger is an inevitable effect of unemployment and underemployment. Low wages far from enough to cover basic necessities is another," he said.

Beltran, now on his 4th day of fasting in protest of his continuing incarceration as well as the arrest of Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, said that Pres. Arroyo's heartless decision to thumb down the demand of private sector workers for a P125 across-the-board wage increase cannot be mitigated by this supposed plan to have P1 B released for food-for-school and food-for-work programs.

"And how long will this P1 billion last? We cannot even be sure that such an amount will actually be released and directly go towards these food-for work programs. What Mrs. Arroyo is succeeding in doing is temporarily stalling hunger and not moving decisively to eradicate it. Filipinos need jobs and wages that will enable them to live decently, not just live hand-to-mouth from one day to the next," he said.

Beltran challenged Pres. Arroyo to cut all budget expenditures earmarked for military operations and foreign debt servicing and reallocate the amount towards public health, housing and education. He also said that Pres. Arroyo should cut the various perks and privileges it gives to foreign investors and their businesses and instead give full assistance to local businesses to help them develop and flourish to encourage local job creation.

"Filipinos need jobs, not dole-outs. In the provinces, farmers are being stripped of their income and livelihood because of the government's land confiscation program masquerading as agrarian reform. Filipinos are being forced to leave the provinces in droves in hopes of finding jobs in the cities, and they end up unemployed and homeless. Pres. Arroyo should address the issue of poverty and its by-product hunger by going to the roots of the problem," he said.

Scrap pork barrel increase as it will be taken out of government employees' retirement funds

In the meantime, the activist lawmaker said that Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr's admission that the government still does not know it will get the P6.2-billion increase for the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel of lawmaker was more than enough grounds to have the increased completely scrapped.

"This increase should be done away with, especially since it's been revealed that a large segment of the PDAF or P3.9B, will be taken from the P18.7-billion benefits and terminal leave pay for some 7,000 government retirees this year. This is most unfair to our government employees. Their retirement funds should be left alone, they have forced hard all these years but now their retirement funds are going to be affected just because there are lawmakers who are greedy for bigger pork barrel," he said.

Beltran reiterated his stand that the announcement of increased pork barrel for lawmakers is meant as an enticement to secure the loyalty of candidates running for congress and the senate. "It's a well-established and known fact that those closest and loyal to Malacanang have no problems securing their NCAs and SAROs, and their pork barrel funds are released without a hitch. In exchange, lawmakers give their signatures to all of Malacanang's priority measures and Palace-backed bills and resolutions," he concluded.#

Beltran scores Malacanang's order to increase PDAF; says corruption will never be wiped out

Friday March 23, 2007

Beltran scores Malacanang's order to increase PDAF; says corruption will never be wiped out

Now on his second day of fasting against his continuing detention and the arrest of Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran expressed strong criticism against Malacanang's move to increase the pork barrel or Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF allocation of lawmakers.

According to reports, senators and congressmen almost doubled their PDAF from the originally approved P6.240 billion, to P11.45 billion or an increase of P5.2 billion. The increase will reportedly be taken from the retirement and terminal leave pay of some 7,000 retirees.

"What else can you call this but bribery? Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is dangling this huge slab of pork barrel to congressional and senatorial candidates, enticing candidates to side with her administration so they get their own cut from it if and when elected," Beltran said.

"Time and again has it been pointed out that a major source of corruption in the bureaucracy is this system of pork barrel allocations? Lawmakers are essentially coerced into supporting the legislative and even political agenda of the administration right or wrong because to do the opposite would be to lose out on the PDAF. Instead of working as genuine legislators whose focus is on deliberating the nitty-gritty of legislative proposals and measures, lawmakers are often reduced to being financiers and implementors of infrastructure projects in their respective districts. They are forced to kowtow to the will of Malacanang who dictates who will get how much and when. Displease Malacanang and the House leadership and your PDAF is withheld," he said.

The activist lawmaker and political detainee said this recent development of increasing the PDAF only strengthens the allegation of the international community that the Philippines is one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

"Corruption is an intrinsic part of the pork barrel system. The call for the scrapping of the pork barrel and the rechannelling of the funds towards increasing budgetary allocations for public health, housing and education continues to fall on deaf ears. Malacanang uses pork barrel as leverage, a means to win and secure the support of lawmakers and other local government officials," he said.

Beltran also said that government employees should not rejoice yet over the reported 10 percent salary increase that they will be receiving starting July. He said that so long as government employees do not see the increase translate in their actual paychecks, they should not give credence to Malacanang's word.

"Pres. Arroyo is making it appear that the salary increase is her personal gift to government employees when in fact, government employees led by the Confederation for the Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) have been pressing for a P3,000 across-the-board salary hike since 1999."

"This miniscule and as yet unrealized salary hike should not sway employees in the private sector to vote for Macapagal-Arroyo's Team Unity and candidates for other government positions. This is also bribery. Comelec Commissioner Benjamin Abalos should look into this latest announcement because it constitutes bribing the electorate. Clearly, this issue is election related, and Malacanang is using it to win points with government employees," he said.

Beltran began his 'freedom fast' yesterday, March 23 in solidarity with other political detainees all ove rthe country holding a hunger strike in protest of his and Bayan Muna's Ocampo. Beltran said that fasting was his way of showing his disgust and anger over the government's continuing attacks against the progressive party-lists Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party and their legislators. Weighing 147 lbs, Beltran is now subsisting mainly on soda crackers and water. #

Rep. Beltran initiates 'freedom fast' in solidarity and gratitude with other detainees on fast for his and Satur's incarceration

Thursday March 22, 2007

Rep. Beltran initiates 'freedom fast' in solidarity and gratitude with other detainees on fast for his and Satur's incarceration

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran has began to fast in solidarity and gratitude to the various political detainees all over the country who are now also fasting in protest of his and Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo's incarceration.

Rep. Beltran's chief of staff Ina Alleco Silverio said that the congressman, 74, was very touched by the expressions of solidarity he continues to receive. She also said that Beltran was 'outraged' over the treatment Rep. Ocampo was receiving at the hands of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and Malacanang.

"His blood pressure has become even more erratic since Ka Satur got arrested. Ka Bel saw him being manhandled on television and his blood pressure shot up. It's been unstable the last three days. He himself, however, insisted on initiating this 'freedom fast' and has began to cut down his intake of food and water since last night. He is now subsisting on soda crackers," Silverio said.

The veteran labor leader and activist lawmaker has been taking some 10 various kinds of medicine daily to keep his blood pressure low. He began fasting last night by foregoing his dinner. This morning he did not eat his usual hospital-supplied breakfast and only ate crackers and drank plain water.

Silverio said that while Beltran remains upbeat about the chances of his being released, he is skeptical of the chances of being released while the Macapagal-Arroyo government is still in power.

"Ka Bel believes that the extrajudicial killings, abductions, harassment against members and institutions of the media will also be put to an end once Pres. Arroyo is out of office. As for his release, he is still hoping that the courts will see through the obvious malicious intent of the DOJ and the Malacanang government for siccing those false witnesses against him and dismiss the charges. We are all hoping justice will still be served in his case and way before 2010 when Pres. Arroyo officially steps down from office. Ka Bel believes that the Macapagal-Arroyo government is determined to keep him and Ka Satur under detention even if it means throwing the law and due process out the window. After all, Ka Bel himself has been incarcerated for over a year on false testimonies and fabricated evidence. On the strength of made-up testimonies by people he does not know and has never seen in his life, the courts have allowed him to be put under detention," she said.

Silverio said that the next hearing of the activist lawmaker's rebellion case will be on March 26.

The Metropolitan Trial Court of Metro Manila Branch 43 in Quezon City has denied Beltran 's motion to quash the government's move to proceed with Criminal Case No. 132943 or the case charging Rep. Beltran with sedition deliberated in a full-blown trial. Anakpawis Party-list, and the Free Ka Bel Movement (FKBM) and other allied and sympathetic organizations said that they will mount continued protests against the decision and Beltran's continuing arrest as The court laid down that Rep. Beltran's arraignment will proceed on March 26, 2007 at 1:30 pm. The decision laid down by Acting Presiding Judge Thelma de los Santos.

The court is ordering that the sedition case against Beltran be deliberated in a full-blown hearing, denying the motion of Beltran's lawyers that the case be immediately dismissed on the grounds that Beltran's arrest on February 25, 2006 was illegal and that the arresting officers did not have a warrant for his arrest much less clear-cut charges to back it up. The court also denied the assertion of Beltran's lawyers that the court erred in holding that the crime of inciting to sedition can be absorbed in the crime of rebellion despite the clear ruling in People vs. Hernandez and People vs. Geronimo.

The court found the arguments of the lawyers against the coupling of the crime of inciting to sedition with the crime of rebellion. The court said that the crime consist of two separate acts each of which have their own criminal intents and hence should be tried separately.

Ka Bel can be contacted via his celphone number 09278711080, or through his phone line in the Philippine Heart Center, 925-2401 loc 2432.#

Any physical or mental injury to befall Satur while under police custody will be the direct fault of the likes of Esperon, Ebdane and Gonzales

Monday March 19, 2007

Any physical or mental injury to befall Satur while under police custody will be the direct fault of the likes of Esperon, Ebdane and Gonzales; GMA reduced to being the AFP's parrot

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today warned the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) against allowing or causing any physical or mental injury from befalling Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo while the latter is under their custody. Beltran said that the PNP's abrupt transfer of Rep. Ocampo to Leyte despite a decision of Leyte judge Ephrem Abando of the Leyte Regional Trial Court Branch 18 to issue a verbal order to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to stop Ocampo's transfer was undeniable proof of the AFP and the PNP's evil intent against Ocampo.

"The PNP and the AFP have now taken the law unto their own hands. We already have strong suspicions that judge Abando was harassed, threatened and coerced to sigh the warrant against Satur and others who are accused of a 22-year old alleged series of murders. Despite Judge Abando's order to keep Satur in Manila, the PNP insisted on the transfer. This is a serious breach and abuse of authority and heads should roll for this," he said.

Beltran said that it was not an exaggeration to point out that there is a serious threat against Satur Ocampo's safety, security and very life. "Satur is a big target. The AFP's hate-campaign is directed against all the progressive party-lists and their representatives, but the biggest target is Satur. Any and all harm that could happen to him would only the doing of the AFP, PNP, and their mercenary forces. Armed Forces chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon, Department of National Defense (DND) Hermogenes Ebdane and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales are at the core of this malicious harassment operation against Satur, and it should be put on record that as masterminds, they will be the ones held mainly liable should anything untoward happen to Satur while he is under the custody of the PNP," he said.

The activist lawmaker and veteran labor leader reiterated his stand that it was already the armed forces who were controlling the national government and that Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has already been reduced to being a titular, talking head.

"She has allowed the PNP and the AFP have their way all this time. She taken to merely echoing or supporting the stands and explanations of the AFP and the PNP on the issue of the extrajudicial killings and the relentless harassment against the progressive partylists and their representatives. Despite her parrot-like utterances that her government respects human rights and is appalled over the killings, actions speak louder than words: she has essentially ceded authority to the military and police forces on the most crucial political issues troubling the country today."

"Martial law has been all but declared. Pres. Arroyo's own speeches are probably being drafted by the AFP as well. Her fear that the military might withdraw its support from her administration is what has rendered Arroyo the military's most effective defender," he insisted. #

Macapagal-Arroyo must be referringto a different country when she says democracy is at work in the country

Monday March 19, 2007

Macapagal-Arroyo must be referringto a different country when she says democracy is at work in the country

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is probably referring to a different country when she said that democracy is at work in the country.

"Most Filipinos would have a very difficult time swallowing Pres. Arroyo's desperate insistence that the Philippines is a democracy and it is headed towards economic and political stability. She must be dreaming awake or hallucinating whenever she says this. No one with two eyes and half a working brain in their head would agree with her. The country has been plunged in severe political chaos in the last few years and the economy remains on a generally downward spiral," he said.

Beltran said that Macapagal-Arroyo's recent policy to remain mum on the crucial political issues affecting the country reveals that she herself knows the extent of the seriousness of these same issues.

"Apparently, she thinks that by keeping silent on these matters, they will simply disappear. She is mistaken. The political crisis in the country continues to worsen and she cannot succeed in distracting the Filipino people or the international community from this with her feigned enthusiasm over the supposed improvement in the economy," he said.

Beltran said that Macapagal-Arroyo has become a president in name only as the military forces have all but taken over the reigns of government.

"It is the police and military institutions and their various spokespersons who are laying down the national government's policy on issues affecting civil, democratic and human rights in the country. Pres. Arroyo has allowed the AFP and the PNP to even usurp or dismiss the decisions of the judiciary and the Department of Interior and Local Govern ment on the case of Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo," he said.

"This is a very alarming state of things when the president of supposed civilian government that also declares itself a democracy allows its armed forces to dictate on how political issues will develop, proceed and be resolved. Pres. Arroyo has all but absolved the AFP from culpability on the extrajudicial killings; now she is letting AFP chief of staff Hermogenes espero and DND secretary Hermogenes Ebdane determine the fate of the legislators of the progressive party-lists without giving full recognizance to the superior authority of the civilian court," he said.#

Satur Ocampo's arrest does not serve the interest of justice but the interest of Gloria and the AFP

Saturday March 17, 2007

Satur Ocampo's arrest does not serve the interest of justice but the interest of Gloria and the AFP

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran decried the arrest of Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo and said that Ocampo must released immediately. He said that the charges against Ocampo, like the charges against him, were all fabricated – "products of malice and hateful intent."

"Failing to defeat the assertions and arguments of the progressive party-lists denouncing the undeniable culpability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the extrajudicial killings, the Macapagal-Arroyo government has become even more vindictive. Ocampo's arrest and the continuing harassment of the progressive lawmakers and leaders of militant people's organizations are do not serve the interest of justice, only the vicious and vindictive whims of the Arroyo administration and the top brass of the AFP and the Philippine National Police," he said.

"The Filipino people know that the Arroyo government is only making martyrs of the leaders of the progressive party-lists. No one believes that Ocampo is a criminal, much less a killer. The malicious intent of the AFP and the PNP is to cripple Bayan Muna by arresting its president and number one representative in congress."

The activist lawmaker and detainee said that Ocampo may be younger than he is (Beltran is 74, Ocampo, 67), but the latter has suffered more under detention having been a political prisoner for 10 years and then another for four more.

"A freedom fighter like Satur does not deserve this. He has devoted his life to the cause of human rights and genuine freedom for the Filipino people. Shame on the Macapagal-Arroyo government for treating a genuine patriot and nationalist like Satur this way," he said.

He appealed to the leaders of the Catholic church and other major religious formations to speak out against Ocampo's arrest and denounce the constantly worsening attacks against the progressive party-lists.

"We are guilty of nothing but defending the rights of the poor and oppressed sectors of Philippine society. All the charges against us are manufactured and baseless. They are malicious responses to the sincere calls made by the progressive calls for genuine social, economic and political reform. The Arroyo government wants to silence us, but in this it will not succeed because the Filipino people's sympathy is with us, and so is the support of the international human and civil rights community. Arroyo is further isolating herself by attacking the progressive party-lists and violating the rights of their well-respected leaders like Satur Ocampo," he said.

In the meantime, Beltran said that there were still pending warrants against Rafael Baylosis and Randall Echanis, two leaders of the Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas respectively, and also of the Anakpawis Party-List.

"Baylosis and Echanis have also done nothing but serve the Filipino people as political activists who fearlessly exposed the corruption of governments from Marcos to the incumbent and illegitimate president. Now they also stand to be arrested and thrown in prison like what happened to them when they fought against the Marcos dictatorship. Pres. Arroyo has really taken a leaf from Marcos' book and following its contents to the letter," he concluded.#

Esperon advocating a pogrom against civilian activists and progressives by charging progressive party-lists as CPP fronts

Friday March 16, 2007

Esperon advocating a pogrom against civilian activists and progressives by charging progressive party-lists as CPP fronts

Anakpawis Representative and political Crispin Beltran today slammed what he said as "either shocking naivete or breathtaking stupidity" Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Hermogenes Esperon Jr's assertion that the Communist Party of the Philippines be outlawed.

"Even without repealing the anti-subversion law, the Macapagal-Arroyo government and its predecessors have always considered the CPP as an outlaw organization. There is nothing new or interesting with Esperon's announcement. What we are most disturbed and outraged over is the AFP and the Arroyo administration's thrust to criminalize the progressive party-lists Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party y insisting that they are fronts for the CPP. They are not, and the solons of these progressive party-lists are nothing but that – progressive lawmakers. Our members, leaders and supporters are being harassed, persecuted and killed because of this twisted and fraudulent insistence of the AFP and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales that we are mere fronts of the CPP," he said.

"Esperon cannot prove anything. The AFP has shot, killed and massacred hundreds of civilians, political activists and human rights organizations on the mere suspicion, unfounded accusations that they are communists when al they were were members of the progressive party-lists. Esperon is calling for an all-out pogrom against the progressive party-lists and militant people's organizations by casting his anti-communist net to include political activists opposed to the corruption of the Arroyo government," he said.

"If the government sees it as its mandate to go after the CPP-NPA and the NDF, then that is not surprising. The latter are armed revolutionary groups; but the progressive party-lists are strictly legal organizations. Our members are ordinary men and women simply trying to do the extraordinary by advocating genuine social change through activist politics. We are not fronts, we are independent and separate organizations with our own mandates, constitutions and by-laws recognized by the Comelec and even the House of Representatives where we hae had representation since 2001," he asserted.

The activist lawmaker said that even the United States government is raising an alarm against the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines due to military's the out-of-control campaign against progressives.

"A glaring white spotlight is now trained on the Philippines because of Pres. Arroyo's refusal to lay down a firm and unequivocal order to the AFP and the rest of the military institution to stop the extra-judicial killings. None of the supposed steps and measures the Arroyo administration has undertaken has resulted in justice for the victims. If anything, the situation has worsened a thousand fold because the AFP is now categorically accusing the progressives groups the victims supported and worked for as fronts for the CPP-NPA and the NDF, " he said.

"If the Bush government itself has been compelled to speak out against the killings the Arroyo administration-- its closest ally in Asia -- is perpetrating than you know that things have gotten out of control. In the eyes of the international community, the Philippines is a massive killing field where the military is shooting at members of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela and activist people's groups," he said.#

Gloria Arroyo deserves to be impeached for having practically ceded authority to the AFP, military

Friday March 16, 2007

Gloria Arroyo deserves to be impeached for having practically ceded authority to the AFP, military

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo deserves to be impeached and effectively removed from office because the international outrage generated by her failure to address and stop the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. He said that even the United States government holds her inevitably accountable for the killings.

"Macapagal-Arroyo has practically in all but words ceded authority to the military in addressing the worsening civil, political and human rights crisis in the country. She insists that she will mainly focus on economic reforms, deliberately ignoring the truth that without social justice, no economic reform can ever serve the interest of the poor and working people," he said. "It's highly noticeable that the AFP has become even become more vocal and authoritative, its various spokespersons eclipsing even Malacanang spokesman Ignacio Bunye. The state of the nation is being directed by the military."

"President Arroyo has issued so many statements and promises saying that her administration is concerned over the killings, but the fact remains that she has consistently refused to order the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the AFPs paramilitary and mercenary partners to stop the operations against the members of progressive party-lists and militant people's organizations. The Philippines only retains a very thin veneer of being a civilized society because of the shocking number of extrajudicial killings of civilians," he said.

"Arroyo has also substantially failed to lift the incomes and general welfare of ordinary workers and rank-and-file government employees. Whatever increase there is in the value of the peso is not due to a genuine improvement in the economy due to Arroyo's reforms, but because it's election season when money traditionally floods in. There has also been another increase in the dollar remittances of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)."

Beltran said that on all fronts, Macapagal-Arroyo has failed the presidential mandate "which she never had the right to have in the first place because of the fraud she perpetrated in the May 2004 polls," he said.

"Why is Macapagal-Arroyo so afraid of the impeachment process? Because she herself knows that she deserves to be impeached. It is simply a greed for power and selfishness that gives her the strength to cling to her office despite the glaring reality that her governance has brought the country to its knees economically and politically speaking."

Beltran said that Filipinos should all the more vote against the candidates fielded by the administration. "The Arroyo camp insists that the opposition has only one agenda, which is to impeach her; well, the Arroyo candidates have one primary goal: to keep Arroyo from being impeached and removed from office until 2010," he said. #

Beltran says Satur might suffer the same fate as him if he surfaces: "I was illegally arrested and remain detained on the basis of false testimonies"

Wednesday March 15, 2007

Beltran says Satur might suffer the same fate as him if he surfaces: "I was illegally arrested and remain detained on the basis of false testimonies"

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should dismiss the false charges and accusations against Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo as well as the other progressive lawmakers Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, Gabriela Women's Party (GWP) Rep. Liza Maza and Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino unless she wants to cement her burgeoning reputation in the international community as a clone of dictators and fascist presidents throughout history.

"The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should be ordered to immediately stop their manhunt for Rep. Ocampo," he said.

"Malacanang cannot keep back the tide of international outrage. Civil libertarians and human rights advocates all over the world are appalled and aghast at the constantly worsening human rights situation in the Philippines. My continuing incarceration, the persecution against Rep. Ocampo and other progressive lawmakers expose the extent of the Arroyo administration's worsening tendencies for dictatorship and fascism. There are 838 victims of political and extra-judicial killings and their families have yet to gain closure or justice on the brutal murder of their loved ones. Pres. Arroyo's refusal to reign back the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and firmly order AFP troops and their mercenary partners to stop the attacks against the members of progressive party-lists proves her statements of concern over the killings as hypocritical," he said.

Beltran said that more than the last year he has spent incarcerated on false charges and bogus, made-up testimonies is more than enough proof to show that the Arroyo government will not respect its own laws and due process when it comes to prosecuting its political critics and opponents.

"I fear that if Rep. Ocampo surfaces and turns himself in to the PNP or the CIDG, his case, like mine, will be deliberately put on the back burner and before we know it, a year has passed. I have strong reasons to doubt the credibility of the Philippine justice system. It cannot deal justice because the higher powers leading up to the Department of Justice and Malacanang itself have an agenda to crush the progressive party-lists and criminalize their leaders using false charges, evidence, and testimonies," he said. The rebellion case against Beltran will have its next hearing on March 26 at 130 pm at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

The activist lawmaker has also sent a letter of thanks to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for its continuing expressions of support for the campaign for his release. The IPU has also communicated its intent to conduct a fact-finding mission in the Philippines to visit Beltran and monitor the case against Ocampo from May 7-8.

"The persecution and harassment against progressive lawmakers has caught and kept the attention of the IPU all these months and I am grateful that the institution will send a delegation in May. The Macapagal-Arroyo administration will be risking greater international notoriety if it even begins to think of stopping the IPU's international fact-finding mission in the Philippines," he concluded.#

Corrupt image of the Philippines due to the Arroyo government's white-wash policy when it comes to economic and political controversies

Wednesday March 14, 2007

Corrupt image of the Philippines due to the Arroyo government's white-wash policy when it comes to economic and political controversies

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy's conclusion that the Philippines is perceived by foreign businessmen as the most corrupt economy among 13 countries and territories across Asia. PERC, which provides advice to private firms and governments, polled 1,476 expatriate businessmen in the region in January and February. Of the total, more than 100 were based in the Philippines.

"This is a big blow against Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her attempts to project her administration's success at fighting corruption and turning the Philippines into a haven for foreign investors."

"Pres. Arroyo's own credibility as a political leader and an economic manager is also being criticized here. After all, she cannot say that she has gained headway in the fight against corruption in government when her own legitimacy as president remains under question. For instance, none of the issues dating back to the May 2004 elections have been settled. The Comelec and Malacanang may have closed the book on the Hello, Garci scandal, but no one had forgotten what it is and what it continues to imply for the presidency and its credibility."

"White-washing scandals and controversies has become the expertise of the Arroyo administration. There is never any closure to the corruption issues that members of the First Family have become involved in. Impeachment complaints are crushed by allies of the president even before they have a chance to deliberated upon. The commissions and investigations Pres. Arroyo initiates into various controversies have a tendency to produce weak and unsatisfactory results that leave open more questions instead of resolving them. It's not surprising that the world at large would see the Philippines a country of corruption," he said.

Beltran said that the PERC's recent survey, coupled with the results of the latest SWS survey on the president's low satisfactory ratings all should serve to expose the failure of Pres. Arroyo to convince the public and the international community of the success of her efforts.

"The Philippines is not only a country fraught with corruption, but it's a country swiftly sliding under the dark veil of dictatorship. It's not only that the economy is refusing to take off, but the civil, political and human rights situation in the country has severely deteriorated. The impact of the worsening human rights situation on the international community's perception of the Philippines is no doubt also negative. The Philippines is not a safe and peaceful country to do business in," he said.

Finally, the activist lawmaker said that Pres. Arroyo has no right to blame any one not even the political opposition for her woes.

"If she wants someone to blame, she should look in the mirror and address whom she finds there. She's the one who has refused to heed the warnings and calls of the opposition for genuine solutions to controversial and crucial issues affecting the economy and the political stability of the nation," he said. #

The issue of human rights is a universal concern; US congressional hearing on extrajudicial killings not an encroachment on Philippine sovereignty

Tuesday March 13, 2007

The issue of human rights is a universal concern; US congressional hearing on extrajudicial killings not an encroachment on Philippine sovereignty

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that because of it's refusal to acknowledge the universal condemnation it is receiving from the international community regarding the endless series of extra-judicial killings, the Macapagal-Arroyo government is only affirming its burgeoning reputation as a rising dictatorship. He said that the ongoing US congressional investigations into the killings will further bring the Philippines and the Arroyo government into a negative light.

"Civil libertarians and human rights advocates in the Philippines should not see the US congressional investigations into the killings as an encroachment on Philippine independence and sovereignty. The issue of human rights violations is a universal concern, and thus it is not only the right of international lawmakers to investigate the bloody campaign the Philippine government has initiated against its constituents, but their duty as well," he said.

"Also, the United States has the highest concentration of Filipino immigrants and migrant workers. These Filipinos in the US trace their roots back to the Philippines, and majority of them still have families back here. Their lobbying in the US Senate and plea for help in the Philippines is an act of patriotism and love of country," he said.

'The Arroyo government might feign magnanimity or occasional nonchalance over the snowballing international outrage over the killings; but this will not make any difference. The continuous deterioration in the human rights situation in the Philippines and worsening political repression will always elicit strong condemnation. The harassment against the progressive party-lists and their lawmakers has not escaped international attention; neither has the Armed Forces of the Philippines's (AFP) eagerness to implement the Human Security Act (HSA) as yet another weapon to crush political dissent," he said.

The activist lawmaker lauded the recent statement released by the United Nation's Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Martin Scheinin, wherein he urged the Philippine government to repeal the HSA:

"$B!#%H(BI encourage the legislative branch of Government in the Philippines to reconsider this new counter-terrorism law which was approved by Congress in a Special Session of Parliament on 19 February 2007. It is my hope that there will be further debate which may result in the introduction of specific amendments or repeal of the entire Act by the new Congress elected this spring, since implementation of this law could have a negative impact on human rights in the country and undermines the rule of law."

"The Philippines is a country facing many challenging issues and I wish to reaffirm that I am fully conscious of the need to take effective measures to prevent and counter terrorism, and of the difficulties of States in doing so without compromising the freedoms of a civil society. However, I am concerned that many provisions of the Human Security Act are not in accordance with international human rights standards"

Beltran said that one of the first bills that the bloc of progressive party-lists led by Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party (GWP) will file as soon as the 14th congress opens is a bill repealing the HSA.

"There is no doubt that if the party-list elections were held today, our party-lists will win by a large margin despite the attempts of the Arroyo government to have us disqualified and criminalized. Despite this, however, we continue to draft our legislative agenda this early. It is part of our collective mandate to fight against all legislative measures pushed by the government that endanger and attack the civil, human and political rights of our constituents," said Beltran.

Anakpawis files list of nominees at the Comelec

Monday March 12, 2007

Anakpawis files list of nominees at the Comelec

Beltran uses one day of temporary freedom to denounce government repression; threatened arrest of other progressive solons

By virtue of a decision laid down by the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150, Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran was allowed to leave detention for one day today, March 12, 2007, so he may join and lead Anakpawis Party-List in filing the official list of its nominees to the May elections at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in Intramuros.

He was escorted from his detention room at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) in Quezon City by 10 elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and taken in an ambulance to the Comelec where Anakpawis supporters organized a support rally. It was his first time to leave the hospital since September 2006 when he was allowed to leave and file counter-charges at the Office of the Ombudsman against the arresting officers and Department of Justice staff who handled his case.

During the filing Beltran was joined by wife Rosario Soto-Beltran who has taken over part of what should have been Beltran's campaign work in urban poor community areas in Quezon City, particularly in Commonwealth.

Fellow Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, secretary general Cherry Clemente, deputy-seretary general Sammy Malunes also facilitated the filing the necessary documents. Besides Beltran and Mariano who stand as Anakpawis' first and second nominees, the other nominees are Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) secretary general Joel Maglunsod, Confederation for the Unity, Recognition of Government Employees (COURAGE) president Ferdinand Gaite, and Pambansang Lakas ng Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) president Fernando Hicap Jr.

"I continue to assert my innocence against these ridiculous charges and frustratingly fake and perjured testimonies against me. All I have done as a progressive lawmaker is to speak out against the abuses and injustices of the Macapagal-Arroyo government against the Filipino people."

"I continue to be detained because I have refused to keep quiet in my criticism against this corrupt government. What has been done to me and my continuing incarceration despite my innocence is still nothing compared the more heinous evils this government commits against the Filipino people. I fight and denounce my accusers the same way I denounce the way they systematically dismantle the remaining vestiges of democracy and political civility in the Philippines," he said.

Beltran also decried the threatened arrest of the other progressive lawmakers Mariano, Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casino; and Gabriela Women's Party Rep. Liza Maza. "Sobra na. They cannot be allowed to go through what I have gone through this last year. The Arroyo government is only compounding its already countless crimes against the Filipino by relentless harassing the lawmakers of the progressive party-lists. What is happening now is an alarming throwback to the dark years under the Marcos dictatorship."

The next hearing of Beltran' sedition case in on March 26 at 1:30 pm at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. The court has junked Beltran's motion to have the case dismissed and ordered the initiation of a full-blown trial. #

"We have Arroyo, the AFP to thank for our even greater popularity with the public"- Beltran

Sunday March 11, 2007

"We have Arroyo, the AFP to thank for our even greater popularity with the public"- Beltran

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran will be allowed to leave the premises of the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) in Quezon where he has been detained under 24-7 guard since April 2006. Beltran will be escorted by 10 members of the Criminal Investigation and Detention Group (CIDG) and proceed to the offices of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) where he will lead Anakpawis Party-list in filing the list of its official nominees in the May 2007 elections.

Beltran has been charged with inciting to sedition and rebellion and has been incacerated since February 26 last year. Tomorrow will be the first time that he will leave the confines of his room in the PHC since September when he filed counter-charges against his accusers at the Office of the Omudsman.

Members, supporters of leaders of Anakpawis particularly fellow Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, secretary general Cherry Clemente, deputy-seretary general Sammy Malunes will welcome Beltran and together file the necessary documents to the Comelec. Other Anakpawis nominees are Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) secretary general Joel Maglunsod, Confederation for the Unity, Recognition of Government Employees (COURAGE) president Ferdinand Gaite, and Pambansang Lakas ng Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) president Fernando Hicap Jr.

Anakpawis vice-chairman Rafael Baylosis will be unable to attend the filing because of the warrant of arrest issued against him linking him to a supposed purge that took place more than a decade ago. Baylosis has sent word, however, that he is not in hiding, only being careful because he intends to continue helping Anakpawis' electoral campaign and he will not be able to do if he is detained. Baylosis has asserted his innocence of the charges and said that they were 'obvious fabrications pushed by motives to undermine Anakpawis' chances of winning in May.'

Beltran, 74, said that even as the Macapagal-Arroyo government continues to attack and harass the bloc of progressive party-lists led by Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party, the support for the said groups continue to pour in. The campaign for his release continues to gain local and international support.

"The Arroyo govenrment's reprehensible tactics against us all the more make the public sympathetic towards our cause and campaign," he said. "We are being seen as underdogs, being viciously attacked and mauled by a dog of bigger, vicious and rabid dog," he said.

"We have Pres. Arroyo, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the various idiots who comprise the AFP and Malacanang tactics and strategies team for making us even more popular that we already are. Public support and sympathy are with us, not with the Arroyo government. They cannot weaken our party-lists. They have perpetrated hundreds of extrajudicial killings against our members and leaders, but our ranks continue to grow despite. We have reason, justice and public support on our side," he said.

"The despotic tendencies of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration are blatantly showing. Even individuals and groups formerly against us are now alarmed at what's being done against us. This outrage could very well form the core of a renewed and reinvigorated campaign for Pres. Arroyo's ouster. By allowing the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) free-reign to harass the progressive party-lists, not only diregarding but outrightly violating the law, Pres. Arroyo is digging her own political grave." #

Anakpawis files official list of nominees at the Comelec office in Intramuros tomorrow, Monday, March 12 at 10 am. Media coverage is requested. Thank you very much!

There is no guarantee that if Satur and the others similarly charged willingly surrender, their rights will be respected and due process followed

Sunday March 11, 2007

There is no guarantee that if Satur and the others similarly charged willingly surrender, their rights will be respected and due process followed

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) team which raided the home of Bayan Muna solon Satur Ocmapo yesteday morning is as guilty as the CIDG team that arrested him February 25 last year. Beltran was on his way back to Manila from Bulacan when the vehicle he was in was flagged and surrounded by three black vans loaded by CIDG elements.

Beltran said that the CIDG operatives who arrested him initially said that they were only 'inviting' him to headquarters. "They did not present a warrant. They did not say that I was suspected of any crime, but only cited the 25-year old rebellion charges against me that had been dismissed long before. I would have wanted to decline the invitation but I did not want to endanger my driver and security staff, not to mention my wife Rosario (Ka Osang) and our grandchild who were with me at time, " he said.

"It was an illegal arrest. My rights were bypassed and violated, and I was directly taken to Camp Crame. When the arresting officers realized their serious legal error in arresting me with an old and very much lapsed warrant, that's when the Department of Justice (DOJ) led by Sec. Raul Gonzalez machinated to have inciting to sedition and rebellion charges formally filed against me. Everything was in violation of the law," he said.

"Now we have the CIDG raiding the house of Satur and harassing his wife Bobbie. It was an illegal search, just like the fraudulent charges being laid against Satur and the other lawmakers of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party. This govenrment has the infamous habit of breaking its own rules and laws. These series of attacks and political harassment and repression are the brainchild of the likes of National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, AFP chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon and national defense secretary Hermogenes Ebdane. They are lashing out in retaliation against the beating they received at the hands of the international community and UN Special rapporteur for extra-judicial killings Philip Alston," he said.

Beltran opined that there was the possibility that if Satur and the others accused over the same submitted themselves to arrest, "They will also be denied due process, and false testimonies and documents and what have you will be piled agains them. Barumbado ang gobyernong ito. It does not hesitate to twist its own rules and laws just so it gets its way. Having miserably failed at convincing the Filipino people to turn against us and dropping their support for our party-lists, the government ruthlessly executed hundreds of our members and leaders, raided communities where have a large base of supporters, and now manufacturing criminal charges against our lawmakers," he said.

"This govenrment cannot be trusted to abide by its own laws on civil and human rights and legal, due process. The Human Security Act (HSA) is now being projected as its main weapon to completely criminalize the bloc of progressive party-lists and militant people's organizations," he said.#

Military to cast a wide net and accuse activists, non-combatants opposed to Macapagal-Arroyo as terrorist using the Human Security Act

Saturday March 10, 2007

Military to cast a wide net and accuse activists, non-combatants opposed to Macapagal-Arroyo as terrorist using the Human Security Act

Anakpawis national vice-chairman and Kilusang Mayo (KMU) secretary for external and political affairs Rafael Baylosis said that the Macapagal-Arroyo government's true and notorious intent for pushing for the immediate passage and implementation of the anti-terror bill or the so-called Human Security Act. He said that there was an urgent need to reinvigorate the civil and democratic rights movement in the Philippines and establish a strong wall of unity against the burgeoning dictatorship Arroyo was establishing with the aid of the military.

Baylosis has been included in the arrest warrant in connection with the alleged murder of 15 members of the New People's Army (NPA) from 1985 to 1991. The arrest warrant was issued March 6, 2007 by Executive Judge Ephrem Abando of the Hilangos, Leyte regional trial court branch 18.

"The HSA is an instrument to crush the progressive people's movement in the Philippines. It's not so much he Communist Party or the Philippines (CPP), National Democratic Front (NDF) or the New People's Army (NPA) that the Arroyo government is targeting with the HSA. There's nothing new or surprising about the government going after these groups because it has been doing so since day one. The real objective of the HSA is to criminalize the progressive people's organization, the legal, mass groups that genuinely defend the interest of the marginalized sectors and oppose the oppressive and anti-poor policies of the government. Macapagal-Arroyo is paving the way for the full criminalization of the activist groups such as those allied with theBagong Alyansang Makabayan. With the HSA, the Arroyo government, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other state mercenary forces are casting a wide net – militant activists and progressives are fair game," he said.

"Now the likes of Bayan Muna Rep.Satur Ocampo, detained Anakpawis lawmaker Rep. Crispin Beltran, myslef and others are being persecuted and the terrorist label being unjustly tagged on us," he said. "July is still a long way off, but the AFP is already itching to implement it. The AFP has already begun to call for revisions in the HSA to make it even more vicious," he said.

Baylosis said that human rights advocates and civil libertarians should be alarmed over this infamous development that threatens the over-all security of millions of Filipinos. "The country is being taken over by an increasingly militarist and authoritarian orientation. The AFP has been calling the shots in all of this. Notice how Pres. Arroyo has now limited herself to speaking on purely economic issues and leaving the drastic political and security measures to her various henchmen in the AFP. The civilian bureaucracy is now being controlled and manipulated by the military," he said.

"Makes makes this entire situation even more alarming and life-threatening is how ordinary, common civilians espousing the most basic sentiments of patriotism by being anti-government will also be targeted. Our main opposition to the anti-terror law is how deliberately vague, general and encompassing the definitions of 'terrorism' and 'terrorist' are," he added.

"Even the candidates of the Genuine Opposition and their supporters can be labeled terrorist and charged with terrorism using planted evidence and false testimonies on the mere whim of this paranoiac government and trigger-happy military."

Beltran looks forward to his one-day day of freedom on Monday as he leads Anakpawis filing of nominees at the Comelec

Saturday March 10, 2007

Beltran looks forward to his one-day day of freedom on Monday as he leads Anakpawis filing of nominees at the Comelec

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that he was 'very much looking forward' to being temporarily released on Monday, March 12, 2007 as he leads Anakpawis Party-List in filing the names of its official nominees to the party-list elections at the Comelec offices in Intramuros. Beltran will be escorted by 10 operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detention Group (CIDG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). In front of the Comelec, Anakpawis supporters will be holding a welcome rally. Beltran will be joined by his wife and partner of 50 years Rosario Soto-Beltran, their children and granchildren.

Beltran, unjustly incarcerated on false charges of inciting to sedition and rebellion, remains Anakpawis' first nominee to the polls. This is is third time to run for congress under the party-list system. The first time was in 2001 when he ran as Bayan Muna's second nominee. In 2004, he led the then newly-established Anakpawis as its chairman and first nominee. Anakpawis secured two seats in the House of Representatives, Beltran being joined by peasant leader and Kilusang Magbubukid (KMP) president Rafael Mariano.

Monday will be Beltran's first time to leave the confines of his room at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) where he has been under 'hospital arrest' since April 2006. He was originally detained in Camp Crame, but because of unstable health, he was moved to the PHC. Beltran is 74 and suffers from hyper-tension.

Beltran said that he was proud and honored to lead Anakpawis in the party-list elections. Despite his incarceration, Anakpawis supporters, members and leaders still lobbied for his nomination during Anakpawis' February convention.

He said that he was troubled by the pending arrest of fellow progressive lawmaker Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, and condemned the Macapagal-Arroyo government anew for what he termed as 'blatant political repression' and 'its outrageous lies and manipulation of its own laws."

"I've been locked up for an entire year and it was not just myself or my family who suffered, but the constituents of Anakpawis who were denied the full services of my office. Now the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has hatched this plot with the full blessing of Pres. Arroyo to go after Ka Satur and inflict the same on him. The Filipino people can see through this infamy, discern the motives of the government to weaken the strong voice of their representatives in congress and the parliament of the streets," he said. "By attacking the progressive party-lists, the Arroyo government attacks the Filipino people who's economic welfare and political interests we have at heart."

"Pres. Arryo has given the AFP and the militarists led by National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales free reign in imposing an all-outr crackdown against the progressive partylists, but they will not succeed in this. We remain loved, respected and supported by Filipino voters, and they will continue to vote for us despite the attempts of the AFP to criminalize and disqualify us. It is the military that does not have the support of the Filipino people. It is Pres. Arroyo whom voters want to eschew and junk. The swiftly deteriorating human rights situation in the Philippines has completely exposed the repressive and anti-people nature of the Arroyo presidency. The mlitary has gained full control of the government, and it's slowly being revealed that Macapagal-Arroyo has been reduced to mere talking and titular head, he concluded.#

Progressive party-lists lead in latest SWS survey; British Lawmaker files Early Day Motion on worsening HR situation in the Philippines

Friday March 9, 2007

Progressive party-lists lead in latest SWS survey; British Lawmaker files Early Day Motion on worsening HR situation in the Philippines

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee today said that even as the Macapagal-Arroyo government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines continue to attack, harass and demonize the bloc of progressive party-lists led by Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party, the same three parties remain the three most popular among voters. According to the First Quarter 2007 SWS Survey, 17 percent of respondents said they will vote for Bayan Muna; 9.4 percent for Anakpawis; and 8.1 percent for Gabriela.

"AFP chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon, Department of National Defense Hermogenes Ebdane and National Security Adviser Noberto Gonzales can chew on that. These latest survey results make them liars; even as they say that our party-lists are no longer supported by the Filipino people, it's clear that we still have the biggest number of supporters and sympathizers. The more the Macapagal-Arroyo govenrment tries to vilify us, the greater the sympathy for us becomes," he said.

"Filipinos are not stupid. They ask themselves, "why is the government targetting these party-lists?", and the answer is very clear. It's because these are the same party-lists that oppose then government's corruption and continued betrayal of the Filipino people's economic welfare and political and human rights. Filipinos who support and vote for us are against the Macapagal-Arroyo government's abuses. The attacks against us are also attacks against all our supporters," he said.

In the meantime, Beltran said that a member of parliament of the United Kingdom has filed an Early Day Motion (equivalent to a resolution in the Philippines) numbered 897 expressing concern over the the human rights violations in the Philippines and Beltran's continuing detention.

Labour Party Member of Parliament for Walthamstow Neil Gerrard filed the motion in the UK parliament earlier this March.So far, 55 other MPs have signed the EDM. The London-based Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines is spearheading the campaign to bring the human rights situation and Beltran's illegal arrest and continuing incarceration in the Philippines to the attention of the British people.

The EDM can be read from the UK parliament's website at http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMByMember.aspx?MID=3414

"That this House notes with concern the continued political killings of leaders and members of progressive organisations and political parties critical of the administration of President Arroyo which according to the Philippine human rights organisation Karapatan reached a total of 830 between 21st January 2001 and 31st January 2006 with 207 persons disappeared; notes that other human rights violations such as arbitrary detention, warrantless arrest, and harassment by military and police agents are also increasing; notes the report issued by Amnesty International in July 2006 entitled `The Philippines: Political Killings, Justice and the Peace Process', which seriously criticises the climate of impunity in the Philippines; notes with concern that these attacks are intensifying as the May 2007 elections approach, seriously affecting the capacity of some parties to be able to campaign effectively; notes with alarm the detention of Member of Congress Crispin Beltran, who is 73 years old and a respected representative of workers and farmers in the Philippine Congress, which continues despite the lifting of the State of Emergency (Presidential Proclamation 1017) and the subsequent decision of the Supreme Court that its implementation was unconstitutional; and urges the UK Government to express to the government of President Arroyo the need to ensure that political killings stop, to bring to justice those responsible, and to release Congressman Crispin Beltran."

"Pres. Arroyo and her various spokesperons are unable to stem the tide of concern and outrage emanating from the international community over the rapidly deteriorating human and civil rights situation in the country. An international alarm is now also being sounded against the warrants of arrest laid down against Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, Anakpawis vice-chairman Rafael Baylosis, and other officials of people's organization's allied with the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan. The extra-judicial killings have already placed the Philippines on the watchlist of every human rights organization in the world; now, the persecution of the leaders of the progressive party-lists will also gain international attention," he said.

Accused Anakpawis vice-chairman Rafael Baylosis decries new charges against him, questions motives of the judge who issued the warrant

Friday March 9, 2007

Accused Anakpawis vice-chairman Rafael Baylosis decries new charges against him, questions motives of the judge who issued the warrant

Anakpawis vice-chairman and Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) secretary for external and political affairs Rafael Baylosis today decried the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Macapagal-Arroyo government's witchhunt against the leaders and officials of progresisve party-lists. Baylosis has been included in the arrest warrant in connection with the alleged murder of 15 members of the New People's Army (NPA) from 1985 to 1991. The arrest warrant was issued March 6, 2007 by Executive Judge Ephrem Abando of the Hilangos, Leyte regional trial court branch 18.

Baylosis, a former political detainee, was arrested on March 29, 1988 in San Juan, Metro Manila, under a defective search warrant issued by the Pasig Regional Trial Court. He was transferred to the PNP Jail Camp Crame in Quezon City on 12 June 1988 until his release in 1997.

"I question this new arrest warrant issued against me. Given how the Macapagal-Arroyo administration had Rep. Beltran illegally arrested, and how slow the deliberations on his case, it is obvious that this new warrant is nothing but a flimsy means to justify my arrest. The same goes for the others being accused in this case."

"Judge Ephrem Abando should rethink his decision to go along with this plot of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Arroyo government to. He is allowing himself to be a pawn in this dangerous and vicious game wherein the lives of innocent people, human rights activists all are being put in the balance," he said.

Baylosis said that the AFP and the Arroyo goverment were resorting to criminalizing the leaders and officials of progressive party-lists after earning international condemnation from the international community because of the extrajudicial kilings.

"This is political repression, clear as day. I am being accused of something I have no knowledge of, accused by individuals I do not know and have never met. For the last decade I have been an official of KMU and Anakpawis party-list. These new charges are completely false, and the Macapagal-Arroyo government is using this to deny Anakpawis party-list yet another official and leader," he said. Baylosis is next to detained lawmaker Rep. Crispin Beltran in the party-list's hiearchy, with Baylosis as vice-chairman and Beltran chairman.

Anakpawis currently ranks No.2 in the latest SWS survey and is projected to secure three seats in congress.

Baylosis said that he had already been arrested and detained for years on end. " In 1988 I was arrested under a defective search warrant and hence the arrest was illegal," he said. He was charged with the unlawful possession of firearms and rebellion despite the complete lack of proof and evidence.

"Now the same thing is happening again,' he said.

"We are not cowed by this. Anakpawis party-list will continue to campaign and proceed with all its plans to secure a brilliant victory in the May elections. Voters and the rest of the Filipino people see through this transparent and heinous plot against the progressive party-lists. All the more does the Macapagal-Arroyo government affirm its reputation as a human rights violator, with no respect for civil rights and stopping at nothing to crush all legitimate political dissent," he said.

Ka Bel speaks out against threatened arrest of fellow progressive lawmaker Satur Ocampo

Thursday March 8, 2007

Ka Bel speaks out against threatened arrest of fellow progressive lawmaker Satur Ocampo

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today slammed the threatened arrest of Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo, saying that the Macapagal-Arroyo government had initiated a full-scale, below-the-belt attack against progressive party-lists. He aid that these relentless attacks against the progressive party-lists reflect negatively on Team Unity, and strengthen the assertion that the Arroyo government has become dictatorship and the military and police are already calling the shots.

"All this should boomerang on Macapagal-Arroyo and her Team Unity slate. Even the members of Team Unity should not condone these threatened arrest against Rep. Ocampo and speak out in his defense. Ka Satur has been an exemplary member of the House of Representatives and a genuine spokesperson of the Filipino people. This attack against him is another blow against the struggle for civil, human and political rights in the Philippines. Human rights advocate and senator Joker Arroyo should not stand idly by and keep silent on this issue; neither should other lawmakers and officials who have fought against the Marcos dictatorship," he said.

"Unlike in the more than 830 cases of extra-judicial killings, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cannot deny her culpability in this. She cannot dismiss this issue as being 'non-economic' and not issue a statement against the harassment being perpetrated against Ka Satur. This is an outrage, and what makes it even more so is the obvious false and fake nature of the charges against Ka Satur. These are all fabricated charges meant to justify his arrest and cripple Bayan Muna and its sister party-lists," he said.

The activist lawmaker said that the Philippine National Police (PNP) should 'shut up' and 'shred the arrest warrant against Rep. Ocampo."

Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr., PNP spokesman said that Ocampo to voluntarily submit himself under the jurisdiction of the law after an arrest warrant was issued by a Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Hilongos, Leyte.

"Why should Ka Satur and the others accused of similar charges surrender themselves? They are not criminals, they are not guilty of anything but being actively vocal against the abuses of the corrupt Arroyo government!"

"Pres. Arroyo by sanctioning and allowing this harassment against Ka Satur only proves how justified the international community is in sounding the alarm against the worsening civil and human rights situation is in the Philippines. The Arroyo government cannot even craft coherent, reasonable and defensible accusations against its opponents because it really has nothing to justify having them arrested," he pointed out.

Beltran said that his own incarceration which has stretched to more than a year was already glaring proof that the government was deliberately trying to crush the progressive party-lists. "We have done nothing but be activist legislators standing up and defending the interest of the marginalized sectors we represent. These accusations and nuisance cases against us are also false and completely lacking in credibility."

Solon slams National Security adviser and his plans to run for congress

Thursday March 8, 2007

Solon slams National Security adviser and his plans to run for congress: "Si Gonzales ang klase ng kongresistang ipapalit sa mga katulad naman ni Rep. Ocampo?!"

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that it was highly ironic that National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales is setting his sights on a position in congress even as progressive lawmakers led by Bayan Muna Satur Ocampo is being threatened with arrest.

"Si Gonzales ang klase ng kongresistang ipapalit sa mga katulad naman ni Rep. Ocampo?!"

According to reports, Gonzales is set to resign from his post within the month to seek a congressional seat in the second district of Bataan in the May polls. He is the chairman of the Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas, a member of the administration coalition.

"It's a tragedy and a harsh insult against Filipinos that it's the likes of Norberto Gonzales that the government wants to put in Congress. The Macapagal-Arroyo government is bending, twisting and breaking the law to discredit, disenfranchise and disqualify progressive and genuinely pro-poor and pro-people party-lists like Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party, and criminalize their top leaders. To what ends? To put the likes of war-mongerer, human rights violator Norberto Gonzales," he said.

Beltran echoed the assertion of Ocampo in saying that the series of attacks and harassment campaign against the progressive partylists where the brainchild of the Inter-Agency Legal

Action Group formed on the strength of Pres. Arroyo's Executive Order 493. The IALAG was tasked to study the possible cases to be filed against supposed enemies of state. The group in consisted of the Department of Justice, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

"The IALAG is being led by Norberto Gonzales. He will most assuredly cheat and lie himself to congress with the help of the AFP and the PNP who are being utilized in a nationwide harassment campaign and killing spree against the progressive party-lists and its members."

Beltran to be temporarily released on March 12 to lead Anakpawis filing of official nominees at the Comelec

Wednesday March 7, 2007

Beltran to be temporarily released on March 12 to lead Anakpawis filing of official nominees at the Comelec

The Makati Regional Court National Capital Judicial Region Branch 150 has released an Order allowing the temporary release of detained Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran so he can personally lead Anakpawis Party-List's submission of the names of its nominees to the Commission on Elections National Office on March 12, 2007. Judge Elmo Alameda penned the decision.

On February 6, 2007, Anakpawis filed its manifestation of intent to participate in the May polls after its second national convention held in Quezon City. On March 12, Anakpawis will submit the names of its nominees at the Comelec. Beltran as its party chairman and Rep. Rafael Mariano as party president will lead the delegation of leaders from the organizations affiliated with Anakpawis, primarily Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Pamalakaya, Amihan, Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) and PISTON.

In his motion, Beltran cited the cases of senatorial candidates and accused Col. Gregorio Honasan and Sr/G. Antonio Trillanes who are likewise facing rebellion charges in this jurisdiction and were permitted by the court to temporarily leave detention in order to file their respective certificates of candidacy with the Comelec. He sought the Court's consideration and grant him the same consideration that was given Honasan and Trillanes.

Even with the false charges of inciting to sedition and rebellion lodged against him, Beltran has not been considered disqualified under the law to run for an elective position.

Beltran expressed elation over the court's decision and said that it was just. "I am glad that I am given at least this one day of freedom to push for the candidacy of Anakpawis in the party-list elections. I am also hoping that the net decision the courts will lay down is for the immediate and complete release."

The activist lawmaker and political detainee called on candidates of both the Genuine Opposition and Team Unity to support the campaign for his immediate release, saying that his arrest was a glaring case political repression.

Beltran was the unanimously voted as Anakpawis first nominee in the national convention last February. Mariano was elected second nominee, and KMU secretary general Joel Maglunsod as third nominee. Other nominees are Confederation for the Unity Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) president Ferdinand Gaite and PAMALAKAYA president Fernando Hicap Jr.

In the meantime, the Metropolitan Trial Court of Metro Manila Branch 43 in Quezon City has denied Beltran motion to quash the government's move to proceed with Criminal Case No. 132943 or the case charging Rep. Beltran with sedition deliberated in a full-blown trial. Anakpawis Party-list, the Free Ka Bel Movement (FKBM) and organizations under the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) said that they will mount continued protests against the decision and Beltran's continuing arrest as The court laid down that Rep. Beltran's arraignment will proceed on March 26, 2007 at 1:30 pm.

The decision laid down by Acting Presiding Judge Thelma de los Santos was received by Rep. Beltran last week.

The court is ordering that the sedition case against Beltran be deliberated in a full-blown hearing, denying the motion of Beltran's lawyers that the case be immediately dismissed on the grounds that Beltran's arrest on February 25, 2006 was illegal and that the arresting officers did not have a warrant for his arrest much less clear-cut charges to back it up.#