Detained solon presses for temporary release to attend Congress special closing session from June 4 to 6

May 30, 2007

Detained solon presses for temporary release to attend Congress special closing session from June 4 to 6

The lawyers of detained lawmaker Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran will file new motion asking the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 under Judge Elmo Alameda to allow Beltran to attend the special closing session of the 13th Congress of the House of Representatives on June 3, 5 and 6. Beltran recently received his invitation to the special session and said that he should be allowed to attend. His counsels led by Public Interest Law Center (PILC) president Romeo Capulong expressed hope the Makati RTC will see the just merits of the petition and approve their client's temporary release so he can perform his legislative duties.

"It's been 15 months since I was illegally arrested and unjustly detained, and all that time I was unable to perform my tasks as an elected legislator. I seek the indulgence, compassion and understanding of the court and allow me to participate in the last three sessions of the 13th Congress," said Beltran.

Beltran said that he intends to maximize the three days and deliver a privileged speech in plenary; consult with leaders of the sectoral organizations whose concerns fall under Anakpawis' advocacy; get a personal update on the major bills and resolutions pending in the various committees he is a member of, particularly the Committee on Labor; and consult with House Speaker Jose de Venecia on the resolution of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) calling for his (Beltran's) immediate release on humanitarian grounds.

"I also seek the opportunity to thank my colleagues, fellow lawmakers who have extended their support to the campaign for my release. In the last 15 months, there have been lawmakers who crossed party-lines to oppose my continuing detention," he said.

Beltran also said that there was a chance that the special session could also be used as a venue for the sudden approval of pending Malacanang priority bills. "In that case, I will insist on the passage of HB 345, or the bill legislating a P125 across-the-board wage increase for workers. The counterpart bill was already passed by the Senate, while congress also approved it. Malacanang only pulled strings and its allies violated House rules to have the measure recalled. This is the least that the 13th Congress can give Filipino workers, to allow this bill to be passed. Let Pres. Arroyo veto it if she chooses, but congress should not be a party to the betrayal," he said.

The campaign for Rep. Beltran's release continues to gain international attention and support. Only recently, the spokesperson of the Free Ka Bel Movement, unionist Dennis Maga was featured standing inside a steel cage on the lawn of the New Zealand House of Parliament where Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was holding a press conference with New Zealand government officials. Maga denounced the Arroyo government's inaction on demands that Beltran be released on the grounds that all the charges filed against the latter were fraudulent.

Allies and supporters in Australia have also began holding protests against Pres. Arroyo as she embarks on a state visit to the country. Protestors condemn the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines and also assert the release of the detained lawmaker. #

Spokesperson of Free Ka Bel Movement risks being arrested and charged with rebellion when he returns to the country

May 30, 2007

Spokesperson of Free Ka Bel Movement risks being arrested and charged with rebellion when he returns to the country

The chief of staff of detained lawmaker Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran today said that Free Ka Bel Movement (FKBM) spokesman Dennis Maga was under serious threat of being arrested and charged with rebellion when he arrives in the country on June 2 from New Zealand. The FKBM is a broad alliance of individuals and organizations pressing for the immediate release of Rep. Beltran. It was established three days after Beltran was arrested last year on February 25.

Ina Alleco Silverio said that Maga's family have been informed by well-meaning individuals that Maga stands to be arrested when he arrives and might even be charged with rebellion. Maga participated in the New Zealand protests against Pres. Gloria Arroyo when the latter made a state visit to the country earlier this week. Maga was vetted by the NZ National Distribution Union which is an ally of the Free Ka Bel Movement and campaigning for Rep. Beltran's release.

"Maga was only doing his duty as the spokesperson of the Free Ka Bel Movement and an official of one of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) federations. What he did – to protest and express condemnation against the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines and Ka Bel's continuing incarceration – was not against the law and even guaranteed by it. It was all within his rights. The Macapagal-Arroyo administration is now threatening to charge him with rebellion because of this; this should not be allowed to happen," Silverio said.

"Ka Bel is most grateful to the international support the campaign for his release continues to receive; and he is personally grateful to Dennis for the symbolic protest he made in New Zealand."

Silverio said that the government would be proving Maga and his protest in New Zealand well justified if it so much lifts a finger to have Maga arrested and detained.

"It would be an even greater international embarrassment if the Philippine government retaliates against Maga and his symbolic protest. Dennis Maga was protesting against the detention of a progressive Philippine lawmaker; and now he himself is being threatened with arrest and detention," she added.

Silverio said that the National Distribution Union (NDU) and allied New Zealand legislators and government officials are now working to get guarantees and reassurances from the Philippine government that it will not arrest Maga or file charges against him for his democratic protest.

She asked members of the civil and democratic rights community as well as church leaders to speak out in defense of Maga's rights and help secure his safe return to the Philippines on June 2.#

Filipino unionist who protested against GMA in New Zealand risks arrest when he returns on June 2

Tuesday May 29, 2007

Filipino unionist who protested against GMA in New Zealand risks arrest when he returns on June 2

Detained Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran today said that there was a threat that the spokesperson of the Free Ka Bel Movement (FKBM), Dennis Maga, might be arrested as he returns to the Philippines on June from New Zealand.

Maga is in New Zealand to seek the support of New Zealand unions for the campaign to release Beltran. Also the secretary-general of the Kilusang Mayo Uno federation Alliance of Nationalist and Genuine Labor Organization (ANGLO), he went to the New Zealand as an official guest of the National Distribution Union (NDU-NZ).

Yesterday, May 28, Maga placed himself inside a steel cage in front of the NZ Parliament where Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was conducting a press conference with members of parliament. Maga and 40 other protestors demonstrated on the House of Parliament lawn and condemned Arroyo' human rights record and Beltran's continuing detention. As a consequence of the action, journalists were prompted to ask Pres. Arroyo questions regarding the human rights situation in the Philippines, particularly the extra-judicial killings and the attacks against progressive lawmakers.

"Pres. Arroyo was reportedly humiliated by the experience. She did not go to New Zealand to defend herself and her government's failure to put an end to the extrajudicial killings, but she ended up in a defensive position. Because of this, there is the threat that she would order Dennis' arrest when he returns to the country on June 2," Beltran said.

Beltran warned against Maga's potential arrest and said that the operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) might well be plotting Maga's arrest as he arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) next week.

"Dennis only exercised his duty as a militant labor activist and a responsible Filipino by speaking out against the Arroyo administration. He has committed no crime. We warn the Arroyo government against having him arrested – that would only bring greater international attention to the Philippines and the deteriorating civil and human rights situation in the country," he said.

The veteran labor leader turned legislator expressed his gratitude to the members and leaders of the National Democratic Union and the Members of Parliament of New Zealand who spoke out in support for his release and in condemnation of the Arroyo government's political repression.

"We hope that the New Zealand government will not extend any financial aid to the Philippines in the light of the worsening human and civil rights situation in the country. Giving aid to the Macapagal-Arroyo administration in any form is like condoning its relentless attacks against the human rights of the Filipino people," he said

In the meantime, Maga is set to participate in a protest in front of the Copthorne Hhotel in Waitangi at 3pm (New Zealand time) and a further protest at 8am tomorrow morning (New Zealand time) at the start of the Interfaith Dialogue at Waitangi. A public meeting will also be held tonight at the Bounty Inn, Cnr Bayview and Selwyn Rds in Paihia.#

NZ: Filipino unionist to protest at Parliament in cage against President Arroyo

Filipino unionist to protest at Parliament

Monday, 28 May 2007
Press Release: National Distribution Union, New Zealand

NZ: Filipino unionist to protest at Parliament in cage against President Arroyo

A Filipino trade unionist will be protesting in a cage against the Filipino President on the steps of Parliament today at 12.30pm in Wellington as the President attends a state lunch in her honour, says the National Distribution Union.

National Distribution Union Wellington Secretary Sheryl Cadman says the protest was to draw attention to the 858 extra-judicial killings that have occurred since the President took power and to call for the release of Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran.

Mrs Cadman says that "Ka Bel" is an ailing 74 year-old opposition congressman and trade union leader who was jailed 16 months ago on trumped up charges of sedition and who has not been released despite calls from the Inter Parliamentary Union.

The cage represents the imprisonment of Congressman Crispin 'Ka Bel' Beltran.

"President Arroyo and her public relations machine have arrived in New Zealand with a smile on her face and a wreath for our unknown soldier – but back home humanitarian groups, the media, independent watchdogs and international observers are slamming the recent Filipino election as being rife with fraud, intimidation, killing and coercion of voters," she says. "The number of election related deaths since campaigning began in January has reached 130 - the Philippines is the 'Columbia of the Pacific - only Iraq is more dangerous for journalists."

Filipino trade unionist and President of the "Free Ka Bel" movement, Dennis Maga, said that the President is visiting New Zealand and Australia over the next four days to expand diplomatic relations, expand trade, and counter the negative international concerns around the extra-judicial killings of mainly leftist activists, church members and politicians at an inter-faith dialogue in Waitangi.

"Ka Bel is just one of many victims of increased political repression in the Philippines under President Arroyo's administration," he says. "Besides intimidating and silencing political opponents through their imprisonment, 858 extra-judicial killings have been documented since her rise to power."

"We are concerned that New Zealand will be offering financial assistance to the very government whose military have been convincingly attributed to the extra judicial killings by United Nations Special rapporteur Professor Philip Alston."

"Any support should be given to independent bodies to investigate the state-sanctioned murders," he says.#

Beltran supports calls for 'Chamber Change' but says it's not just the House leadership that should change but the orientation of the legislative body

May 28, 2007

Beltran supports calls for 'Chamber Change' but says it's not just the House leadership that should change but the orientation of the legislative body

Detained lawmaker Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran today issued support for calls for 'Chamber Change' in the House of Representatives, saying that there was a serious need to overhaul not only the leadership of the House, but the orientation of the legislative body as well.

"It's not only leadership of the House that should be changed, but the very orientation of the House of Representatives. Jose de Venecia has had four terms as Speaker of the House, and under his leadership, the House has not been an independent body from Malacanang. The major legislative measures that were prioritized and approved by Congress mostly originated from Malacanang and served to strengthen local and foreign business monopolies' stranglehold on the economy while attacking the economic welfare of the citizenry. Patronage politics and the 'palakasan' system are very alive in well in Congress; Malacanang allies get the biggest pork barrel allocations and membership in the so-called juicier committees," he said.

Beltran said that congress remains a bastion of traditional politics and where pro-poor, pro-people and patriotic national legislation hardly ever sees the light of day. "Progressive lawmakers have to fight tooth and nail to defend their bills and resolutions that aim to address the Filipino people's worsening poverty; but these same measures often do not leave the committee level; and those which do are butchered in plenary. HB 345 in the 13th Congress, for instance, was already approved but because of pressure from Malacanang and strait-arming of its allies in the House, the bill was recalled," he said.

HB 345 is the bill legislating a P125 across-the-board wage increase for Filipino workers.

"The image of congress being a pit full of alligators and boa constrictors has not changed in the collective mind of the Filipino people. What Filipinos need is a legislative body that will aspire to produce measures that will directly benefit the poor, uphold social justice and protect the economic, political and human rights of the majority. What we have now is far from ideal."

The activist lawmaker also expressed disapproval for de Venecia's intention to once more take the reigns of leadership in congress as House Speaker, saying that the latter's four previous terms are more than enough. Beltran has previously stated his criticism for de Venecia's silence on the escalating attacks on the progressive lawmakers of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party. De Venecia has not defended Beltran's rights as a member of congress when Beltran was arrested on false charges February 2006; neither has he issued any support for Rep. Satur Ocampo when Ocampo was arrested earlier in March this year on equally fraudulent accusations.

"What we need is a Speaker that is not afraid to assert independence from Malacanang and whose legislative agenda is one that reflects the needs of the national constituency and not just his or her district and especially not those of Malacanang," he said.#

CHEd implements tuition fee hike without consultation with students, parents; Malacanang scholarship fund being used to bribe and reward lawmakers

May 28, 2007

CHEd implements tuition fee hike without consultation with students, parents; Malacanang scholarship fund being used to bribe and reward lawmakers

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today expressed protest against the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)'s approval of a tuition hike of up to eight percent for 80 private colleges and universities nationwide. According to reports, CHED chairman Carlito Puno approved the applications of the 80 private schools, which claimed they could not afford to pay their personnel anymore. The tuition hike effective for school year 2007-2008, will range from 5 to 8 percent. School owners had cited a 6.2% inflation rate in their application for a tuition hike this school year.

"CHED has taken the word of the private schools that they're severely affected by inflation. What about the parents of the students? Aren't they affected by inflation? Where will they get the additional funds to cover the increase in tuition fees? Malacanang and the CHED approved a tuition increase without first consulting with students and their families. Also, it's not just the private institutions that will be jacking their fees, but the government-run schools, universities and colleges as well," he said.

"There has been no substantial increase in the wages and salaries of the parents of the students; how will they accommodate this new increase in tuition fees? Malacanag has essentially vetoed legislation that will enable workers in both the private and public sectors to benefit from a P125 wage increase or a P3,000 increase in salary," he said.

"Without doubt, there will be more students dropping out from school this school year because of this tuition fee increase."

Beltran also scored Malacanang for its promise that it will provide scholarships to indigent students via a new P187 million scholarship program.

"And how much will each congressman give per student? P5,000 to P7,000 maximum per year? That's not much of a scholarship given the increase in tuition and other fees. Also, there is no guarantee that the P187 million will go the intended beneficiaries. Unscrupulous lawmakers might very well use the funds to serve their own personal and political interests, at the expense of projected beneficiaries," he said.

Beltran said that Malacanang will be using the scholarship fund both as a bribe and a reward to incoming lawmakers to support Pres. Arroyo's legislative agenda, and to make sure that they do not support any impeachment complaint against the president. #

Comelec should acknowledge chaos and violence on Lanao del Sur special polls instead of covering up the situation with empty assurances

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Comelec should acknowledge chaos and violence on Lanao del Sur special polls instead of covering up the situation with empty assurances

Detained Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran today said that the ongoing chaos in Lanao del Sur over the special polls is what perfectly characterizes the May 2007 elections. Fraught with fraud and violence, the election in Lanao del Sur is a record all by itself.

"It's shocking to hear officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) describe the elections as generally peaceful when it was anything but. The results of the Lanao del Sur polls should not be credited. The entire special elections were a failure because chaos, fraud and violence reigned supreme. How the Comelec could proclaim the polls a success is yet another testament to the sorry state of the commission and the orientation of some of its officials," he said.

"Instead of trying to sweep everything under the rug , the Comelec should acknowledge everything that went wrong and from there, begin to devise measures that will ensure that the same will not take place again come the next elections. Issuing false assurances and understatements to describe what has actually been a chaotic situation in Lanao del Sur does not do any good for anyone, especially the voters there. The poll results would hardly be credible given the completely chaotic conduct of the elections."

The activist lawmaker said that the failure of the polls in many areas in the Philippines proves how intense the political rivalry is at the local levels. "Local candidates have been able to build up their own machineries that include private armies or groups of armed goons with ties to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or the Philippine National Police (PNP). The illegal conduct of the supporters and head campaigners of certain local candidates as well as the backers of the Team Unity administration team continued unchecked because of this. The presence of the media did not even deter them their mission to perpetuate fraud," he said.

In the meantime, Beltran said that the Comelec should set a more realistic time table as to when it will proclaim the winners of the senatorial race. "It's beginning to appear that the Comelec is only waiting for more candidates of the administration's Team Unity to break into the Top 12 as the government's fraud operations go into final, full-blast stage. We hope that chairman Benjamin Abalos will not be precipitate in declaring the winners given that there are countless accounts of fraud that continue to be exposed. Candidates Antonio Trillanes III and Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel III's rightful victories are being threatened because of the massive cheating that's being perpetrated even at national canvassing level," he said.

Beltran said that topmost priority of the incoming senate and congress would be to conduct an investigation into the chaos and violence of the May 2007 elections, and the performance of the Comelec and its officials from the regional to the national levels.

"Elections in the Philippines will always be a messy, violent and fraudulent affair so long as the will that drives the Comelec is the will of corrupt national executive and administration,' he said. "Elections in the Philippines can never be insulated from fraud if those in the commission itself have political interests or ties with the ruling election contenders," he said. #

Beltran says he will not do a Gringo; asks Supreme Court to immediately approve his petition for bail

May 25, 2007

Beltran says he will not do a Gringo; asks Supreme Court to immediately approve his petition for bail

Detained lawmaker Anakpawis Representative Crispin today reacted to statements issued by National Security Adviser Norerto Gonzales regarding his (Beltran's) continuing incarceration. In a story that came out in today's edition of the broadsheet Malaya, Gonzales is said to be wondering over Beltran's continued incarceration considering that the Macapagal-Arroyo government has already issued a promise to the Inter-Parliamentary Union that the government will allow Beltran's release on humanitarian grounds.

"It's questionable why Sec. Gonzales is wondering on this matter. On behalf of the Arroyo administration he has already stated that I should be released at the soonest possible time; but one month since their talks with the leaders of the IPU, I remain incarcerated and there's no movement on my petition for bail," he said. "Sec. Gonzales and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez are the ones in the best position to answer why I have not been released after all this time."

Today, May 25, 2006, marks Beltran's 15th month in detention after he was arrested on trumped-up charges of rebellion and inciting to sedition. It was also exactly a month ago that officials of the IPU committee on the human rights of parliamentarians visited Beltran in his detention hospital room at the Philippine Heart Center and told him of the government's promise that he will be released on humanitarian grounds at the soonest possible time.

Beltran's legal counsels led by Atty. Romeo Capulong have already filed a motion for bail at the Supreme Court almost a month ago, but neither the Supreme Court nor the Department of Justice have issued a response to the motion. Solicitor general Agnes Devenadera has reportedly been avoiding calls for discussion with Beltran's lawyers.

In the Malaya report, Gonzales is also alleged to have said that the progressive party-lists could be deliberately keeping Beltran incarcerated to gain more public sympathy.

"Sec. Gonzales should get his stories straight. He knows full-well that my incarceration has been a great personal inconvenience to me and more importantly, a serious setback for my group Anakpawis Party-List. I have been unable to perform my work as one of the two representatives of Anakpawis in congress, and I was able to participate in the electoral campaign for the May 14 elections. The government has been deliberately foot-dragging on my case, despite the fact that there is absolultely no credible evidence to prove my guilt over the charges made against me," he said.

"I hope that Sec. Raul Gonzales of the DOJ is not expecting me to issue any apologies to Malacanang the same way senatorial candidate Gregorio 'Gringo' Honasan has allegedly done to be allowed to post bail. I will certainly not to a Gringo because I am not guilty of anything and I did not avoid arrest when I was confronted with the charges in February 25. I have followed and abided by the legal process from Day 1 and it's the government that has not given me the same courtesy. I should've been released long before because the government has no genuine case against me,' he concluded. #

Gov. Evardone should turn to Malacanang if he wants to see who the real economic destabilizers are – Beltran

Thursday May 24, 2007

Gov. Evardone should turn to Malacanang if he wants to see who the real economic destabilizers are – Beltran

Detained lawmaker Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran today scoffed at Team Unity media bureau chief Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone for the latter's accusation that the progressive party-lists led by Bayan Muna are conductive a media offensive to discredit the polls.

"Neither our party-lists nor any other organization need to come up with a grandiose media plan to expose the massive fraud that's taking place. Most Filipinos are already critical of the polls to begin with; and many remain distrustful of the Commission on Elections because of its dismal failure to ensure the credibility of the previous 2004 presidential elections," he said.

"We would have been the first to laud the Comelec and hail the electoral process if we saw that the exercise was conducted efficiently and inoculated against fraud. After all, our party-lists are engaged in the electoral battle, and for months we have been campaigning for clean, honest, fraud-free and violence-free elections. Aspirations and hopes aside, however, stark reality remains: under the Macapagal-Arroyo administration, elections can never be fraud free. It has set a precedent when the executive herself was exposed as exerting influence over a top Comelec official in 2004," he said.

"As for the charges that we are destabilizing the economy, Gov. Evardone should turn to Malacanang and heap the blame on its economic experts and their policies. None of the demands of consumers, workers, and other toiling sectors for economic relief have been addressed, and despite the continues barrage of declarations from the Palace that the economy is on an upswing, ordinary Filipinos experience no improvement in their work and living conditions," he said.

"So what if the peso is now stronger versus the dollar? Most Filipinos don't have dollars to exchange; they don't even have enough pesos to keep their families afloat. The peso-dollar exchange value has never been an indication of progress in the Philippines. For Filipinos, the peso's value just keeps shrinking and shrinking as inflation is always on the rise, and the utility firms are always jacking their rates. Employment is as insecure as ever for most Filipinos as the number of the underemployed and unemployed outrace the number of jobs the government is supposedly creating every year," he added.

He also said that foreign investors have also become wary of the deteriorating peace and order situation in the country, as well as the worsening atmosphere of political repression.

Beltran said that it's already a given the House of Representatives will again be Malacanang's right hand man in imposing more anti-poor and anti-national laws on the Filipino people.

"The legislative agenda of Malacanang is one that exacerbates the already serious poverty suffered by majority of Filipinos while at the same time it showers local big business and their international partners with perks and benefits. The economic program of the government is what's devastating the economy; the progressive party-lists have done nothing but issue warnings against it, and exposing its anti-poor character, " he concluded.#

Malacanang and allies may have scored a victory in securing majority seats in the Lower House, but the Senate is a different ballgame

Wednesday May 23, 2007

Malacanang and allies may have scored a victory in securing majority seats in the Lower House, but the Senate is a different ballgame

Detained lawmaker Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that Malacanang and its allies may believe that they have scored a major victory in the May 14, 2007 polls by securing majority seats in the House of Representatives, "But the senate is an altogether different ballgame. Pres. Arroyo's economic and political legislative agenda will not have a very easy time getting approved by the Senate; chances are, the next few years will witness Malacanang's legislative agenda swinging in limbo, and it's plans to revive for the nth time its campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution thwarted yet again."

Beltran said that the Commission on Elections must not make any immediate declaration of the winners of the senatorial race given the shocking number of reported incidents of fraud. He said that the votes won by Genuine Opposition candidates Aquilino Pimentel III, Antonio Trillanes and Alan Peter Cayetano continue to be victimized by the government's dagdag-bawas scheme. He said that the Comelec must first investigate all the major reports of fraud, and settle the issue concerning Alan Peter's votes versus those of the Malacanang pakawala Cayetano.

"The May 2007 polls is a very close runner up to the May 2004 elections when it comes to fraud. Pres. Arroyo has secured another dubious record: her government has facilitated two of the dirtiest elections in Philippine history," he said.

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker said that there will be more political instability up ahead for the Macapagal-Arroyo administration. "Given how Malacanang has pulled off another electoral fraud caper, there'll be even more reasons to call for the president's impeachment, and for more street protests demanding her resignation and ouster," he said. "Pres. Arroyo and her allies are the ones destabilizing the government with their corrupt administration and their worsening attacks against civil liberties and democratic rights. The next few months following the conclusion of this latest electoral exercise fraught with fraud will be politically intense."

"The Opposition and the legal and democratic mass movement including the progressive party-lists will make sure that there is no rest for Pres. Arroyo. The massive fraud that's now being perpetrated in the polls will be accounted for, and those responsible for it will be exposed. Pres. Arroyo herself should not be allowed to escape accountability because it's her political survival that's at the crux of the fraud campaign her government perpetrated with the help of the Armed Forces of the Philippines."

Beltran said that despite the attacks against the votes of the progressive party-lists, there is already no denying that the public remains supportive of the said party-lists led by Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party. "The sum of all the votes won by our party-lists is already a staggering number, including those of Kabataan Party and Suara Bangsa Moro. In and out of congress and the legislative arena, our party-lists will continue to expose the anti-people, anti-national policies of the Macapagal-Arroyo government. Nothing has changed; our mandate is unaltered even if the Arroyo government succeeds in denying us all our rightfully-won seats in Congress. There will be no rest in the fight against the illegitimate presidency. Pres. Arroyo has long ago lost the battle for the hearts and minds of the Filipino people -- she remains president solely because of the backing of the Armed Forces of the Philippines."#

Calls for Comelec revamp must be addressed by incoming 14th Congress - Beltran

Wednesday May 23, 2007

Calls for Comelec revamp must be addressed by incoming 14th Congress - Beltran

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that among the first issues that the 14th Congress must address is the issue of the credibility of the Commission on Elections and the failure of Comelec officials to stem massive fraud. Beltran said that Comelec chief Benjamin Abalos has failed his mandate to keep the polls fraud-free, and that the former was also indecive in immediately settling the controversial and crucial issues that compromised the party-list system and the party-list polls.

"There are already mounting calls for the impeachment of the Comelec chair as well as a thorough over-haul of the entire commission. Allegations are rife that the incumbent Comelec leadership has consciously and willingly colluded with Malacanang to rig the polls. In any case, there is a strong basis for the calls for the assessment of the performance of the Comelec and its top officials. At the grassroots level, Comelec representatives and officials overseeing the local elections have been inutile in stopping electoral fraud; neither have they been decisive in settling disputes and protests that have erupted when fraud was detected. In a word, the Comelec has performed poorly. It was unable to redeem itself for its dismal performace in the May 2004 presidential elections," he said.

Beltran said that it was mostly through the efforts of independent clean elections watchdogs and the teams of international poll observers that the incidents of fraud were detected, reported and protested against. He cited the Task Force Poll Watch (TFPW), an election monitoring group formed by the bloc of progressive party-list groups, and its discovery of vote-shaving in at least 10 of the country's provinces.

"The TFPW found out that this vote shaving caused Genuine Opposition senatorial candidate Loren Legarda and the progressive party-list groups Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, and Gabriela Women's Party (GWP) a 73-percent loss of votes. TFPW data showed that based on election returns, Legarda and the three party-list groups got 9,739 votes in the 10 provinces accounted for. They were, however, credited with only 2,534 votes at the canvassing stage.

"The Comelec under Commissioner Abalos has not been the standard bearer for clean and fraud-free elections. It is not surprising that there's already a groundswell of support for calls for a revamp in the Comelec, beginning with the chief commissioner's post," he concluded.#

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US Assistant Secretary visits RP

Anakpawis solon Crispin Beltran today said that US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Christopher Hill must make sure to make time and meet the human rights organizations as he arrives in Manila this week. According to reports, Hill will attend a preliminary meeting on the upcoming Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) Regional Forum (ARF) in the country and hold bilateral talks with local officials.

"We hope Sec. Hill will not allow himself to be brainwashed by the propaganda of the Arroyo government that there is no crisis in the human rights situation in the Philippines. It's the Arroyo government that's in serious denial regarding the enormity of issue of extrajudicial killings of activists, human rights advocates and journalists. The brutality of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the shocking number of extrajudicial killings now amounting to 860 has already caught international attention and was exposed in the US senate committe on human rights hearing only a few weeks back," he said.

"In any case, Sec. Hill is certain not to miss reading the newspapers which are full of reports of the deteriorating human rights situation in the country. The developments in the fraud-wracked senatorial and party-list elections are also certain to catch his attention."

Party-list reiterates demand for release detained lawmaker; asks why Leviste was allowed bail and Beltran hasn't

Wednesday May 23, 2007

Party-list reiterates demand for release detained lawmaker; asks why Leviste was allowed bail and Beltran hasn't

The chief of staff of detained Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that there was clearly a bias against her principal given that his petition for bail filed at the Supreme Court three weeks ago has yet to be approved. Ina Alleco Silverio said that accused killer of a Tondo resident Rowell Quizon, 24, was released on Monday afternoon after he posted a P40,000 bail while ex-Batangas governor Tony Leviste charged with homicide has also been freed on bail.

"Not to express prejudice against Mr. Leviste and Mr. Quizon, but why have they been allowed bail while Rep. Beltran continues to languish in detention? Former senator Gringo Honasan has also been released on bail. The government made a promise not to block Rep. Beltran's motion for bail, and while this may be true, it can't be denied either that the government has not at all acted on the motion. We ask the Supreme Court and the Department of Justice to give due importance to Ka Bel's case. He has been unjustly detained since February 25, 2006 and his accusers have not been able to provide a smidgen of credible proof that he colluded with renegade members of the military in a plot to overthrow the Arroyo presidency," she said.

Silverio said that Anakpawis Party-List which Beltran continues to lead as it chairman and first nominee has long before prepared bail money. "We will be ready with the amount the Supreme Court will stipulate as bail for Rep. Beltran's release," she said.

In the meantime, she said that the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)'s committee on the human rights of parliamentarians headed by Canadian senator Sharon Carstairs has already been informed of the Philippine govenrment's failure to uphold its committment to allow the release of the detained activist lawmaker.

"The Macapagal-Arroyo government continues to renege on its promise to the IPU that it will allow his release on humanitarian grounds. Even for that we are ready to settle even as we continue to assert Ka Bel's innocence of all the fabricated charges and insist that his arrest and continuing incarceration all comprise political repression," she concluded.#

Abalos should coordinate with PPCR, clean election watchdogs on how to address massive fraud

Tuesday May 22, 2007

Abalos should coordinate with PPCR, clean election watchdogs on how to address massive fraud

Detained lawmaker Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran today said expressed support for calls that the election results in Maguindanao be disregarded and that full-scale investigations be initiated into the numerous monitored reports of electoral fraud in the region.

Beltran said that Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos would do well to immediately get over his shock over the fraud reports and initiate decisive measures to address the problem. He said that the Comelec would do well to respond to the recommendations of its citizen arm the Pastoral Parish Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) on how to address the incidents of fraud, particularly those that involve the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and corrupt representatives of the Comelec.

"Chairman Abalos would do well to take swift and decisive action based on the recommendations of the PPCRV and other clean elections watchdogs. The electoral fraud campaign of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration is like a runaway train that must be immediately stopped, less it wreak even greater, irrevocable damage," he said.

"The vote fixing and tampering with other election paraphernalia and the actual elections results that happened in Maguindanao are certain to have taken place in many other places. Chairman Abalos should cooperate and coordinate with the independent clean election watchdogs on how the address the incidents of fraud. The findings of the various independent observers mission such as the People's International Observers Mission (IOM) would also prove highly instructive and provide a good starting point on where to conduct thorough investigations," he said.

Targetting Trillanes

In the meantime, Beltran said that there were more than sufficient indications pointing towards a master electoral fraud plan that's emanating directly from Malacanang and the National Security Council. "This is not a conspiracy theory but a actual truth. Massive fraud is being perpetrated against the progressive party-lists and the candidates of the Genuine Opposition, namely Antonio Trillanes, Alan Peter Cayetano and Aquilino Pimentel III. Malacanang and its fraud operatives have come out in full force to prevent these candidates who are highly outspoken against the corruption of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration from winning their rightful seats in the senate," he said.

"Already it's a devastating sign to the administration that Trillanes continues to assert supremacy in the senate race over majority of the candidates of Team Unity. A neophyte candidate who's incarcerated to boot is trouncing the long-toothed candidates of Team Unity. This is a deadly sign to the Arroyo administration. Trillanes has secured a strong following among the electorate because of his uncompromising position against the abuses and excesses of the incumbent president; something which cannot be said for his senior military co-candidate Gregorio Honasan," Beltran said.

"A victory for Trillanes, Cayetano and Pimentel III is without doubt something Malacanang is desperate to prevent. Despite the attacks against the votes of these young mavericks, the signs of doom are already clear for the administration," he said. #

Pres. Arroyo courting greater political disaster by trying to squeeze in losing Team Unity candidates into the Top 12

Monday May 21, 2007

Pres. Arroyo courting greater political disaster by trying to squeeze in losing Team Unity candidates into the Top 12

Anakpawis and political detainee Crispin Beltran today decried the continued fraud being perpetrated by the Macapagal-Arroyo administration against the bloc of progressive party-lists and the senatorial candidates of the Genuine Opposition, namely Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel Jr; Antonio Trillanes and Alan Peter Cayetano. He said that the undeniable case of government and military-orchestrated fraud that has been exposed by a teacher in Maguindanao is most likely not an isolated and singular case and has been perpetrated many instances all over the country.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have once more taken the lead at implementing Malacanang's fraud operations, this time to benefit the senatorial candidates of Team Unity. The blatant use and abuse of military authority during the elections is already criminal; the fact that the AFP actually coerced civilians to perpetuate fraud is even more punishable by law. AFP chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon and defense secretary Hermogenes Ebdane cannot shake responsibility for this. It's the world of civilians against theirs and the troops they deployed to carry out their electoral fraud tasks," he said.

"We cannot allow Malacanang to succeed in squeezing in its loser Team Unity candidates into the Top 12 and edge out the rightful winners of the elections who belong to the Genuine Opposition. Neither should it be allowed that Malacang's front party party-lists including Bantay led by the infamous butcher Jovito Palparan gain a stolen and fraudulent victory."

"Pres. Arroyo is only courting even greater political disaster if she insists on getting her allies into the senate and congress through fraudulent means. The consequences on her already highly unpopular rule will be catastrophic. More scandals, more exposes, and more political chaos will ensue," he said.

Use findings of the IOM

Beltran said that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) must conduct full investigations into the revelations of independent clean elections watchdogs such as the Parish Pastoral Commission on Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the findings of the independent foreign observers missions such as the People's International Observers Mission (People's IOM) because their findings give flesh to the allegation that the Arroyo government has utilized the military to implement massive fraud against the progressive party-lists and the candidates of GO.

"It's an international scandal the way these countless incidents of undeniable electoral fraud were allowed to take place, and their effect unchecked. The desperation of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration to bar candidates of GO from securing their rightful seats in the senate and to kick then progressive party-lists out of congress has been exposed for all the world to see, yet the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has done nothing beyond issuing promises that there will be investigations," he said.

"The findings of the international observers of the People's IOM are substantiated with photos and testimonies the observers took from the polling centers and the provinces they visited. These should further goad the COMELEC into taking more decisive action and help in the investigations that should have long before started. Even the low-level implementers of fraud should not be allowed to get away – they will inevitably help lead us to the masterminds, and no doubt the trail will lead all the way to Malacanang," he concluded. #

Votes for progressive party-lists not being read and tallied; fraud operatives taking advantage of tension-filled situation between rival local...

Friday May 18, 2007

Votes for progressive party-lists not being read and tallied; fraud operatives taking advantage of tension-filled situation between rival local candidates

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that the areas where the candidates other Arroyo administration's Team Unity are supposedly winning big are also the areas where the progressive party-lists Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Suara Bangsa Moro and Kabataan were being cheated out of hundreds of thousands of votes.

Beltran said that the Arroyo government's electoral fraud machinery has upped its tactics and tried a 'cleaner' means of cheating – having election canvassers ignore the votes for the progressive party-lists and candidates of the Genuine Opposition. He said that Comelec officials and representatives where paying very little attention to this anomaly.

Beltran said that there were reports coming from the municipalities in Southern Tagalog that votes for Anakpawis were not being called out and reported. "We are losing as many as 500 votes in small municipalities," he said.

"Logic, common sense and the blatant way it is being perpetrated make it impossible to ignore the massive electoral fraud now taking place, and this is certain to worsen over the weekend and more votes are shaved off from the progressive party-lists and GO candidates. Case in point is what's happening in Maguindanao where Team Unity has supposedly secured a clean sweep. Reports are also coming in how the bloc of progressive lists received zero votes in hundreds of precincts despite our presence and high visibility in the areas because of the existence of our chapters there," he said.

He also said that in the chaos and violence that often broke out between the supporters of rival local candidates, the fraud operatives would take advantage and ignore the protests of the pollwatchers of the bloc of progressive party-lists. "Our pollwatchers are being pushed to the sidelines and ignored, their protests that the votes for our party-lists are not being counted or being cut in half are being dismissed. The fraud operators are taking full advantage of the tension-filled situation in the local elections race."

The veteran labor leader's party-list Anakpawis is shown to be ranking no. 16 in the last official tallies of the Namrel. Beltran said that he was highly apprehensive of this, and said that this low ranking is the effect of fraud against Anakpawis. "We have all reasons to believe that we would do well in the elections and maintain our two seats in congress if not secure another one. We decry the attacks against Anakpawis and these ongoing attempts to weaken our participation in the legislative arena by defrauding us of thousands of votes required to ensure that we maintain our two seats in congress," he said.

A challenge to senatorial race winners

In the meantime, this early Beltran issued a challenge to the sure winners of the senatorial elections, saying that there is no better time for them to reveal their respective legislative agendas.

"The pressing economic issues affecting the Filipino people remain unresolved, namely low wages, massive unemployment, and high costs of utility rates. The Macapagal-Arroyo government has not acted decisively and concretely on these concerns, hence the economic welfare of the poor majority continues to deteriorate. We hope that the incoming 12 senators which now assuredly include Chiz Escudero, Loren Legarda, Manny Villar, Ping Lacson, Kiko Pangilinan and Joker Arroyo will not neglect to address these issues this coming 14th congress," he said. #

Beltran asks help media, independent clean election watchdogs to monitor party-list race

Tuesday May 15, 2007

Beltran asks help media, independent clean election watchdogs to monitor party-list race

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said sought the attention and assistance of the media in monitoring the developments in the party-list race, saying that that relative lack of coverage of the party-list elections renders the progressive party-lists vulnerable to the government's scheme to cheat the party-lists.

Beltran asked the help of media institutions as well as the PPCRV and NAMFREL in monitoring the vote turn out for the bloc of progressive party-lists led by Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party.

"We have reason to be apprehensive over this lack of coverage of the party-list polls and its results. It's not just the votes of the candidates of the Genuine Opposition (GO) which are being targeted, but ours, too. It's no secret that the Macapagal-Arroyo government is desperate to have our party-lists kicked out of congress and hence weaken the opposition in the House of Representatives," he said.

"The votes of our party-lists are highly vulnerable despite the thousands of volunteers we have fielded in the poll centers. We need the help of the media and the independent institutions of the PPCRV and the Namfrel to monitor the party-list election results and to report the various tactics being employed to steal our votes in favor of the government-funded party-lists," he added.

The activist lawmaker said that the votes of the progressive party-lists were also threatened by the ubiquitous presence of the military particularly in the provinces. "Our volunteers are being harassed and driven away from the polling centers by the military and their civilian operatives. We ask the help of the PPCRV as well as other independent clean-election watchdogs to report these attacks. There are many vote-counting areas wherein our volunteers cannot immediately reach because of the military checkpoints. Even now there is the certain danger that our votes are not being counted in our favor but added to the votes of the Malacanang-front party-lists," he said. #

Guard votes up to the national canvassing and do not allow the government fraud machinery to succeed

Monday May 14, 2007

Guard votes up to the national canvassing and do not allow the government fraud machinery to succeed

At 10 am today, Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today cast his vote for Anakpawis and senatorial candidates as well as candidates for local government posts at the Commonwealth Elementary School in Manggahan.

Beltran, 74, was escorted by elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and joined by his wife Rosario Soto-Beltran, 64, who also voted at the same precinct. Anakpawis officials led by secretary-general Cherry Clemente and deputy sec-gen Sammy Malunes also accompanied Beltran along with Beltran's daughter Ofelia Balleta.

"I'm hoping against hope that this elections will not see the success of the Arroyo administration's electoral fraud machinery and the government-funded party-lists. The challenge that now lies before the Filipino people is to protect their votes up to the national canvassing and to thwart all of the government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines' attempts to pull a fast one and steal victory from the senatorial candidates of the Genuine Opposition," he said. "There will be hell to pay if Team Unity makes a clean or even just a partial sweep at the senatorial polls. Everyone will now that there was cheating involved because from the beginning, the candidates of GO were in the lead."

"The reputation and the credibility of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) lies on the brink, and if this year's elections fall into great chaos and mayhem by being fraught with fraud, Filipinos will be demanding a complete overhaul of the Comelec and its leadership," he said.

"It's already an outrage that the Comelec did not remove the Malacanang-funded and supported party-lists from its official list. The participation of these bogus party-lists have bastardized the party-list system. In the meantime, this move can be said to also be an intrinsic part of the Arroyo government's intent to kick out the progressive party-lists from Congress and replace them with its allied groups whose main agenda is to protect the presidency from impeachment," he added.

Three weeks after the visit of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Beltran remains incarcerated and so far the Supreme Court has not acted on his petition for bail. Beltran said that he is set to send an official correspondence to the IPU expressing his view that the Macapagal-Arroyo's declaration that it will allow his release after talks with the IPU were all a ruse to get the IPU to temper its findings in favor of the Philippine government.

"The IPU will be informed of the government's duplicity. I have been told that Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez has not given any instructions to Solicitor-general Agnes Devenadera to address my case and my motion for bail," he said.

"The Arroyo government has ensured that I will not be released at any time during the election season so I would not be able to participate in Anakpawis' electoral campaign. It's been 14 going on 15 months since I was arrested, and I demand that I be immediately released even before the winners of the May 14, 2007 elections are declared. The government has no case against me, and my incarceration is a product of its campaign of political repression and harassment against progressive party-lists and activist lawmakers." #

As election campaign draws to an end, Ka Bel says government reneged on its promise to the IPU to allow his release

Friday May 11, 2007

As election campaign draws to an end, Ka Bel says government reneged on its promise to the IPU to allow his release

As the electoral campaign for the May 14 polls draws to a close, Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran said that there is no longer any doubt that the Macapagal-Arroyo administration made sure that he was not released to ensure that he would not be able to help campaign for his party-list Anakpawis. He said that it was also becoming clear that the government is reneging on its promise to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) that it will not make any opposition to legal moves for his release.

"It's been three weeks since the IPU visit and since I filed my motion for bail, but nothing has happened. Solicitor-general Agnes Devenadera continues to avoid my lawyers led by Atty. Romeo Capulong, saying that she has not received any instructions from her superiors to address my motion for bail," he said. "While it may be true that the government will not issue any public statement opposing my release through bail, the fact that there is still no movement and decision on it implies the opposite, that the government still refuses to have me released."

"I suspect that National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales has thought that a promise to not oppose my release is already enough, nevermind that I am not actually given my freedom," he said.

The veteran labor leader, however, has been allowed by Makati Regional Trial Court judge Elmo Alameda of Branch 150 to leave his detention room at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) so he can cast his vote in Gao, Commonwealth, Quezon. He is set to vote at 10 am.

"Through the inaction of Solgen Devenedera on my petition, the Macapagal-Arroyo administration is making sure that there's no progress in the chance of my plea for bail being immediately granted," he said.

Not throwing in the towel

In reaction to the latest SWS-Inquirer Survey showing that Anakpawis is set to retain only one of its two seats in congress, Beltran said that Anakpawis is not throwing in the towel.

"We remain confident that we will do better than what the May 2-4 SWS survey implies. We have faith not in surveys but in the efforts of our members and supporters nationwide, and we aim to at least retain our two seats in congress. The surveys only serve as guideposts and reminders that we have to continue to campaigning hard. As the electoral campaign draws to an end, we are now shifting our focus to the actual polling process and securing our votes. There is the unshakable threat that there will be massive fraud in various forms, and the votes of the bloc of the progressive party-lists are also targets along with the votes of the candidates of the Genuine Opposition," he said.

Anakpawis' main organizations are the Kilusang Mayo Uno, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, the Confederation for the Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE), Pamalakaya, Amihan, PISTON and Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY).

Beltran said that it was evident that his incarceration has proved an inconvenience for Anakpawis' electoral campaign. "I would have been more able to contribute to our second electoral bid had I not been incarcerated. My arrest and continuing detention has been a serious blow against our electoral campaign and objectives to secure the maximum number of seats. Rep. Rafael Mariano and Anakpawis third nominee Joel Maglunsod have had to shoulder bulk of the campaigning along with out other national and regional leaders," he said. #

Anakpawis Regional Coordinator escapes attempted killing

CORRECTION:

Anakpawis Southern Tagalog Coordinator Orlando Marcellana was attacked near the Rotonda in Sala, Cabuyao, Laguna after he left the Anakpawis office in Southern Tagalog. Our apologies for this error.

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Thursday May 10, 2007

Anakpawis Regional Coordinator escapes attempted killing in Rotonda, QC

Anakpawis Regional Coordinator for the Southern Tagalog Region Orly Marcella escaped an attempt on his life earlier this afternoon around 3pm when a motorcycle-riding, armalite-bearing man wearing a ski mask over his face and head drove up next to the jeepney Marcellana was riding and leveled the gun at him.

Marcella had just left Anakpawis Party-Lists' national headquarters in Kamuning, Quezon City riding a jeepney bound for Manila. As the jeep sped through E. Rodriguez Avenue towards Welcome Rotonda, Marcella noticed the motorcycle and the hooded man.

As soon as the jeep made a stop at Welcome Rotonda, the would-be assassin lifted his weapon, but Marcella was quicker and jumped out of the jeep and ran to a populated street and into an house.

The residents thought that Marcellana was a thief and fell upon him. Marcellana had already received a few blows on his face and torso before he was able to make the residents understand that he was actually escaping from a would-be assassin. He told them that he was an official of Anakpawis Party-List, and that was when they stopped hurting him. He sustained various cuts and bruises in the face, legs and arms. The baranggay tanod in Rotonda has since taken custody of him, while officials of Anakpawis have already arrived at the scene.

Marcellana is the widower of slain human rights activist Eden Marcellana who was killed in April 2003 in Mindoro upon the orders of Brigadier Gen. Jovito Palparan.

"We condemn this latest attack against our leaders and officials. Orly Marcellana would've been killed in cold blood had it not been for his sheer luck. We have no other suspects but the elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines," said Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran.

"AFP chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon is a liar and a hypocrite when he says that the AFP respects for human rights and that they have nothing to do with the extrajudicial killings of activists, many of whom are members and leaders of the progressive party-lists," he said.

Beltran also denounced the AFP for its illegal arrest and detention of AP Leyte Regional Coordinator Vicente 'Bebot' Borja and the enforced disappearance of AP Panay coordinator Nilo Arado.#

Government fraud campaign aims to drive progressive party-lists out of the parliamentary arena; targets PPLs votes on Monday

Thursday May 10, 2007

Government fraud campaign aims to drive progressive party-lists out of the parliamentary arena; targets PPLs votes on Monday

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee said that it has to be said that the last SWS survey was highly suspicious and was possibly intended to be a means to condition the public's mind regarding party-list elections and the beating the bloc of progressive party-lists could receive.

"Two days to the polls and there is no doubt left that we are targets of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration's fraud campaign. It appears that the government wants to ensure that our party-lists will succeed in securing only one seat each, if at all. The SWS survey reflects this, and while we would like to give the SWS the benefit of the doubt, it's quite questionable how our party-lists have lost so much ground. In any case, we aim to defy this survey, prove it wrong on Monday barring the Arroyo government's attempts to manipulate the polls and deny us our votes," said Beltran.

"The party-list system was twisted and manipulated this election season to serve Malacanang's agenda against the progressive party-lists and to edge out the lawmakers vocal against the corruption and abuses of the Arroyo administration. All this has been pretty obvious, and Malacanang will inevitably be made to account for this,' he said.

Beltran has been allowed to leave his detention room at the Philippine Heart Center so he can cast his vote for Anakpawis in Gao, Commonwealth, Quezon City. At 10 am, Beltran will be voting at precinct 1608a at the Commonwealth Elementary School. He will be accompanied by Anakpawis officials and daughter Ofelia Balleta who took her father's place in the campaign trail.

Beltran said that it was also the height of irony that many Anakpawis officials will be unable to cast their votes because there are threats to their security and very lives. Anakpawis secretary general Cherry Clemente and deputy-secretary general Sammy Malunes are both from Bulacan, and neither of them have been unable to go home the entire campaign season because of confirmed reports of military and paramilitary men on the lookout for them. The case is also the sane for Aanakpawis vice-chairman Rafael Baylosis.

Arroyo risks ouster

"The intense political harassment and outright physical attacks the Armed Forces of the Philippines have launched against our party-lists are aimed at destroying our chances of returning to Congress and continuing our advocacy for progressive and pro-people legislation," he said. "Our officials have been slapped with the most ludicrous and false charges, others abducted and still others killed. The effort the administration has exerted to drive us out of the parliamentary arena exposes how democracy does not exist in the country; or at least the incumbent governmenty does not uphold it."

Finally, the activist lawmaker said that Pres. Arroyo's already highly unpopular administration will again risk ouster if she insists on implementing her government's plans for fraud on Monday. "No one believes that this will be a clean and honest election, and the main reason is because the incumbent administration itself has a massive record of fraud. Various proof that there's a nationally-coordinated and Malacanang-orchestrated fraud campaign continues to come out, including the existence of prefabricated election returns favoring Team Unity. The moment another ranking Comelec official or Malacanang insider gets caught, Pres. Arroyo will be facing a tornado of protests," he said. #

Troop pull-out from urban centers a reaction to the revelation of Oplan Mercury Rising

Wednesday May 9, 2007

Troop pull-out from urban centers a reaction to the revelation of Oplan Mercury Rising

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that even as the tas he declared the pull-out of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from the urban centers can be declared 'a victory for civil rights and the assertion of civilian authority,' he said that under no circumstances should Filipinos become complacent. He said that it was more than likely that the AFP has already planted and assigned their own spies in the communities to continue monitoring all civilian activity related to the elections on Monday, including the activities of the progressive party-lists.

"We have been consistent in demanding the pull-out of troops from the urban centers, but this sudden move on the part of the AFP leadership is most likely related to the expose made by retired generals and police that there's a military plot afoot to ensure a victory for the Macapagal-Arroyo administration's candidates. Without doubt, this 'Oplan Mercury Rising' also includes the continued deployment of troops within the perimeter of voting precincts and where there are high concentration of voters. With the sudden expose made on the military plot, Armed Forces Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr. thought quickly and ordered the troop withdrawal," he said.

"It's suspicious because of the timing. Only recently Esperon and the AFP's spokespersons as well as Malacanang itself were stiff necked in their refusal to order the troop pull-out. Now they're rushing the withdrawal. This is not enough, however – AFP troops should remain in their barracks on election day, and the Comelec should order an investigation into Oplan Mercury Rising based on the facts revealed by the whistle-blowers," he said.

Beltran said that the AFP top brass continues to issue denials, "But there are countless confirmed reports coming in from our provincial and regional chapters that soldiers are campaigning for Team Unity and for Jovito Palparan's bogus party-list," he said. "Civilians in Bicol, Leyte, and provinces in Mindanao are being harassed into supporting the TU slate and the party-lists funded by the government," he said.

He also said that the recent revelation that there are also ex-servicemen from the police and military standing as nominees of the Malacanang-backed party-lists also exposed a concerted military plot to infiltrate the party-list system and twist it onto serving the agenda of Malacanang as opposed to the needs of the marginalized sectors.

To the Comelec: don't rush the proclamation of winners but make sure that there's no cheating and fraud

In the meantime, Beltran today expressed wariness over the declaration of the Commission on Elections that it will be able to proclaim the winners of the senatorial race five days following the May 14 polls. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said that this will be possible so long as there are no technical glitches or 'untoward incidents.' In 2004 11 winning senators were proclaimed 10 days after the votes were cast.

"The senatorial elections this time around is more crucial for the Macapagal-Arroyo administration because to some degree, the results will impact on the president's chances of political survival. Already there are alarming signs that next Monday's polls, like the May 2004 elections, will be rigged in favor of the incumbent administration's slate. The Comelec does not need to make any promises that it will be able to declare the senatorial winners immediately after the polls; what we are more after are assurances that there will be no room for electoral fraud and various forms of massive cheating," he said.

Beltran said that the Comelec's own reputation and credibility has yet to recover from the 'Hello, Garci' scandal that involved one of its commissioners Virgilio Garcillano, "We hope that none of the Comelec's commissioners will again be caught cutting deals with the administration to favor the candidates it endorses, whether on the national or the local level. We would much rather that the election results and the declaration of winners come later that the results be compromised and the true winners cheated out of their victory."#

Beltran allowed to vote on Monday May 14 as Makati court allows his temporary release

Wednesday May 9, 2007

Beltran allowed to vote on Monday May 14 as Makati court allows his temporary release

Judeg Elmo Alameda of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 has allowed Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran temporary release on Monday, May 14 election day . Rep. Beltran will be able to cast his vote for Anakpawis party-list and the senatorial as well as local candidates supported and endorsed by the said group he represents as chairman, incumbent congressional representative and first nominee. He will cast his vote in one of the polling precincts in Gao, Commonwealth, Quezon City where has he has been a resident since the late 70s.

Beltran thanked Judge Alameda for the decision, saying that it compassionate and politically progressive.

"I continue to denounce the illegal circumstances that surrounded my arrest and my equally illegal and unjust incarceration. I have not, however, lost hope that justice can still prevail in my case and I will be released. It has been among one of the greatest crimes of this government against me that I have been unable to campaign for Anakpawis all through this election. I am, however, grateful that Judge Alameda has decided to allow me temporary release so I can vote for Anakpawis on Monday," he said.

Beltran will cast his vote at 10 am.

In the meantime, Beltran's petition for bail has yet to be heard and resolved by the Supreme Court where his lawyers led by Atty. Romeo Capulong filed it last April 25..

Atty. Capulong, tried to contact Solicitor General Agnes VST Devenadera four times upon the advice of IPU Secretary General Anders Johnsson citing the agreement with DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzalez to give instructions to the Office of the Solicitor General not to object to the prayer to release Rep. Beltran. Atty. Capulong was initially able to contact Solicitor General Devenadera and the latter informed Atty. Capulong that there was no instruction yet from Sec. Gonzalez. When Atty. Capulong tried to follow-up for the second time the agreement from Sol. Gen. Devenadera, she was attending a flag ceremony; the third time, Atty. Capulong was referred to Assistant Solicitor General Amparo Tang who informed Atty. Capulong that there was no instruction yet from Sol. Gen Devenadera; on the fourth time, Sol. Gen Devenadera was already on leave.

"It is clear then that we are being given a run around," said Capulong.

Also, on April 23, 2007, Beltran filed before the Supreme Court a Motion to Resolve Prayer for Petitioner to be Released, placed on house arrest or transferred to the custody of the House of Representatives.

Anakpawis is endorsing the senatorial candidates Loren Legarda, Manny Villar, Koko Pimentel, Francis Pangilinan, Nikki Coseteng, Sonia Roco, Joker Arroyo and Ralph Recto.

Persecution of progressive party-lists sanctioned by Malacanang as military escalates attacks against leaders, officials and lawmakers

Tuesday May 8, 2007

On the arrest of Anakpawis Eastern visayas leader:
Persecution of progressive party-lists sanctioned by Malacanang as military escalates attacks against leaders, officials and lawmakers

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today decried anew the worsening government and military attacks against the progressive party-lists and demanded the immediate release of Anakpawis Eastern Visayas coordinator Vincent Borja. He also denounced moves of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' 801st Infantry Brigade to file charges against Bayan Muna lawmaker Teddy Casino.

"These are outrageous charges that they're leveling against our party-lists, leaders and lawmakers," said Beltran. "The military is slapping false charges and accusations against us every which way and they're using fake warrants and unfounded testimonies. They do not have a scrap of proof to substantiate their charges against Borja, and now they're also dragging Rep. Casino into this mess they made."

Beltran who also stands as Anakpawis' national chairman and first nominee said that the AFP was clearly on the rampage against the progressive party-lists and have resorted to fabricating charges to slap on the strictly legal officials and members of the party-lists. " Bebot Borja is an Anakpawis regional coordinator, a ranking official of Anakpawis and has been so since 2003 when our party-list was first established. The fact that he is being charged of being a member of the New People's Army (NPA) is ridiculous. He is a highly visible personality in the legal democratic mass movement in Ormoc. He is not an NPA and neither is he an official of the Communist Party of the Philippines," he said.

"Why is the AFP being allowed to abuse what should be its limited authority? They've practically taken over the jobs of the police because they're the ones serving warrants and threatening the arrest of elected lawmakers," he said. "The military has become even more arrogant and abusive because of Malacanang's continued support for its actions."

"Who will stop the military from perpetrating all these abuses? It seems that there are no more limits to their authority. They get away with extrajudicial killings, abductions, and they're arresting our officials left and right without even bothering to present legal and credible warrants."

"This is martial law. Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo may not have made any formal declaration, but these shocking developments speak volumes about the true state of the nation and the deterioration of civilian authority. It's the military whose now calling the shots, and Pres. Arroyo has all but been reduced to being a mere figure head. She remains president only because of the support of the military, and hence she has practically removed all limits to the authority of the military." #

The 219 foreign observers are in for a shock as they see how elections as practiced in RP and election related violence hits the roof

Tuesday May 8, 2007

The 219 foreign observers are in for a shock as they see how elections as practiced in RP and election related violence hits the roof

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that the 219 foreign observers from 12 countries set to arrive in the country to monitor the mid-term elections on may 14, Monday will without doubt be appalled by the violence of the supposedly democratic process as practiced in the Philippines.

"They're in for the shock of their lives. Since 2004, elections in the Philippine shave become even more barbaric and violent, and prone to fraud. The so-called democratic exercise of elections in the Philippines is a battle fought with guns, goons and gold," he said.

Beltran predicted that like the other foreign visitors from the diplomatic and human rights community who came to the country to investigate the endless spate of extrajudicial killings, the 219 foreign observers of the May 14 polls will also be shocked, appalled and then outraged.

According to figures, 50 politicians and candidates have been killed in this year's election compared to 41 politicians and candidates killed in the same period in the May 2004 election. Ninety-five people have been killed and 92 others wounded in 131 Election Related Violence Incidents (ERVI's) recorded since the election period took effect on January 14.

In the 2004 elections, the police authorities recorded a total of 249 ERVIs. These resulted in the death of 189 individuals and the wounding of 279 others.

"We can only hope that the presence of these foreign observers will help discourage the outbreak of more election violence as well as the perpetuation of massive electoral fraud. On the other hand, there's also no more accounting for what the dirty-tricks department of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration has in store for May 14. We already know, however, that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are already set to protect Team Unity's votes while posing serious threats against the turnout for the Genuine Opposition. The massive deployment of armed troops of election day is something the foreign observers will immediately notice," he said.

Beltran said that another glaring proof that the elections in the Philippines are not a genuinely democratic process is the continuing attacks against the bloc of progressive party-lists led by Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party. The deployment of military troops in Metro Manila was specifically intended to stop the progressive party-lists from campaigning in the urban poor communities.

In the meantime, Beltran said that the criminalization of the officials of the progressive polls is also certain to catch the attention of the foreign observers.

Beltran, Anakpawis' first nominee, was unable to campaign for Anakpawis because he remains incarcerated on false charges of rebellion and sedition. Bayan Muna and GWP's lawmakers have also been charged with rebellion and murder. Anakpawis' party-list officials including vice-chairman Rafael Baylosis and executive committee Randy Echanis have also been charged with murder.

In the meantime, over 830 political activists of which 300 were members of progressive party-lists and their allied people's organizations have been killed since 2001. The figure has bloated since 2004 right after Macapagal-Arroyo secured another six years in office through electoral fraud. #

Oplan Mercury Rising should be thwarted at all costs and the Comelec should order the withdrawal of the AFP from election duty

Tuesday May 8, 2007

Oplan Mercury Rising should be thwarted at all costs and the Comelec should order the withdrawal of the AFP from election duty

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that the charge made by retired generals that there is a government-orchestrated plan to manipulate the May 14 elections and swing the votes in favor of Team Unity deserves not only the Commission on Election's attention but the rest of the Filipino people as well. He said that Malacanang is risking another people's rising if it pushes ahead with its plans for fraud.

Retired generals said that Oplan Mercury Rising involves cheating in Western Visayas, Eastern Mindanao, Caraga, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Pampanga, Camarines Norte, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Eastern Samar, Lanao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and Sharif Kabunsuan. The fraud operations are also said to directly involve the military upon the directions of Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Hermogenes Esperon.

"Malacanang can issue all the denials that it wants but its record speaks against it. Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself has become the AFP's number one endorser and she remains in power mostly because of the military's support and backing. It's highly likely that her refusal to heed the calls for sanctions against the military over the issue of the extrajudicial killings is directly linked to her need to secure the AFP's help in yet again perpetrating massive electoral fraud," he said.

The activist lawmaker said that given this recent bombshell, the Comelec should immediately reconsider its approval for the AFP's involvement on May 14. He said that besides ordering their pull-out from the urban centers, the military should be kept away from the polling precincts and all election paraphernalia.

"At all cost this Oplan Mercury Rising or any other administration plot to secure a fake victory should be derailed and thwarted. Pres. Arroyo is tempting fate is she insists on pushing on with this electoral fraud campaign her think-tank and the military have cooked up. There will be another EDSA People Power uprising if Team Unity secures an ill-gotten victory because Filipinos know that there is no way TU can strike a major win against the Genuine Opposition without there being massive fraud involved," he said.

Beltran also said that it was certain that all government and military orchestrated fraud campaign also targets the votes of the progressive party-lists and not just the senatorial candidates of GO.

"The party-list elections have become a full-blown war between the progressive party-lists led by Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party and the Malacanang-front party-lists. The military are the henchmen tasked to carry out Malacanang's dirty electoral tactics to score an equally foul victory against the progressive party-lists who are among the administration's staunchest critics," he said.

Party-list candidates of party-lists exposed of Malacanang-fronts urged to pull out of elections out of delicadeza

Saturday May 5, 2007

Party-list candidates of party-lists exposed of Malacanang-fronts urged to pull out of elections out of delicadeza

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today reacted to reports that there are 499 pro-Arroyo individuals an allies in the 91 party-lists vying for seats in the upcoming polls, saying that these individuals should bow out of the race out of 'delicadeza.'

"Their main legislative agenda is not primarily to promote the interest of the marginalized sectors they supposedly represent through their party-lists, but to promote Malacanang's legislative agenda and make the House of Representatives even more of an instrument of the executive," he said.

"These candidates whose main loyalties are to Pres. Arroyo and her adminsitration should not have participated in the party-lists elections buts instead should have joined the congressional district polls. The essence of the party-list elections and party-list representation is being twisted and manipulated in favor of Malacanang."

"Sana umatras na lang sila at ihinto na ang panlilinlang sa publiko at sa mga botante. Mga sugo sila ng Malacanang at tanging ang agenda ng Malacanang ang isususulong nila sa kongreso. Talo dito ang mamamayang Pilipino dahil bangga sa kanilang interes at kagalingan ang legislative agenda ng gobyernong Macapagal-Arroyo," he said.

The activist lawmaker exhorted the party-lists exposed as Malacanang fronts to pull out of the elections "If they still have an iota of social conscience and genuine concern for the marginalized sectors," he said.

"These men and women candidates are allowing themselves to be used by Malacanang in its bid to quash all chances of another impeachment campaign being launched against the illegitimate president. The rest of their proclamations that they want to make a difference for the sectors they supposedly represent are all just talk. Malacanang fielded them and their party-lists with the main objective of confusing the public and distracting tehm from supporting the genuine and progressive party-lists."

Senatorial candidates challenged to present alternatives to problems caused by oil deregulation by companies gear to jack prices by P4/liter

Friday May 4, 2007

Senatorial candidates challenged to present alternatives to problems caused by oil deregulation by companies gear to jack prices by P4/liter

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today sounded the alarm over reports that the prices of domestic oil will most likely increase by as much as P4 per liter in the following days as a result of increases in the international crude prices.

"The local oil monopoly of Shell, Caltex and Petron are trying to make themseleves appear generous and on the lookout for the public welfare by saying that they only jack their prices by a 'small' P0.50. Now it's being announced that the next round of increases might be as high as P4 per liter. This announcement alone will send manufacturing companies and producers into a price-increase frenzy," he said.

"The endless series of oil price hikes will never be stabilized so long as the government aheres to the deregulation policy in the oil industry. Consumers and the rest of the public remain at the mercy of the oil cartel which decides on its own when and by how much it will jack its prices."

"The so-called 'small and independent players' in the meantime have provided no genuine alternative to consumers because they to are forced to raise their prices when the industry leaders do."

Beltran issued the challenge to senatorial candidates to issue their stand on the issue of oil deregulation and the continuing increase of local oil prices.

"What have the senatorial candidates of Team Unity and the Genuine Opposition have to say about this? Even before the May 14 elections take place, the oil companies are sure to have jacked their prices and Filipinos will again be subjected to another heavy round of price increases."

Beltran called senatorial candidates to the task of proposing genuine solutions to the problem of continued oil price hikes and the Philippines' desperate dependence on foreign oil imports.

"It's long overdue that the oil deregulation policy in the county be subjected to review. Deregulation has not brought relief for consumers and public transportation users but has in fact caused oil prices soaring, also causing the prices of basic commodities and rates of services to shoot up as well," he said. "During the 13th Congress, administration allies heading the committee on energy in the Lower House did not but sit on the bills and resolutions suggesting viable alternatives to the perennial oil and energy crisis."

"The Macapagal-Arroyo adminsitration is patting itself on the back for the passage of the biofuels law, but even now it's becoming evident that the use of biofuels will not make a recognizable dent in the country's dependence on imported oil." #

Comelec must not restrict the use of digicams and cellphones on May 14; anti-fraud volunteers to rely on said gadgets to monitor developments

Thursday May 3, 2007

Comelec must not restrict the use of digicams and cellphones on May 14; anti-fraud volunteers to rely on said gadgets to monitor developments in the poll precincts

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today expressed opposition to the Commission on Elections' restrictions on the use of digital cameras and cellular phones in the voting precincts. Beltran said that the anti-election fraud watchdogs were relying on these handy gadgets to help monitor the developments in the precincts, especially when the vote counting and canvassing begins.

"It's most surprising that the Comelec should just now come up with these apprehensions. If there's anything that should not be allowed and even banned from the voting precincts and their immediate vicinities, it's the Armed Forces of the Philippines. They're a greater threat to the credibility of the upcoming elections that cellphone cameras or digicams," he said.

"It's the likes of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who should be kept away from her cellphone on May 14. We don't want a repeat of the 'Hell, Garci?' scam wherein she will call the Comelec commissioners and ask for updates and at the same time demand that the results be rigged in favor of her candidates."

Beltran said that there should be no restrictions on the use of the said gadgets especially if they're going to be wielded and used by clean elections volunteers of the church-based Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

Beltran is the chairman of Anakpawis Party-List and its first nominee in the party-list elections.

"There is the serious need to protect the elections against the sure attempts of the administration to cheat. There are already blinding signs that there's a fraud campaign in the works. Malacanang is desperate to quash all chances of the opposition securing a majority seats in the senate and from filling more seats in congress. Pres. Arroyo has an almost phobic fear of impeachment, and the surest way to evade impeachment is to fill both houses of congress with her allies,' he said.

"We want to be able to constantly and closely monitor what's happening at the polling precints. We are also on the lookout for violence. The presence of the military is a serious threat against the safety and security of the volunteers and supporters of the progressive party-lists, and we are determined to maintain close tabs on the actions and whereabouts of the military on election day. We will do this with cellphones and digicams,' he said.

Anakpawis and its sister party-lists Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party (GWP) continue to lead in the surveys, the latest conducted by Pulse Asia. Beltran said that it will only be through the massive disenfranchisement of their supporters through various means of fraud that the progressive party-lists will be denied their three seats each. #

Military checkpoints another move to condition public mindset over massive presence of military on election day

Wednesday May 2, 2007

Military checkpoints another move to condition public mindset over massive presence of military on election day

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today slammed anew the Armed Forces of the Philippines' establishment of more checkpoints all over the country as the countdown to the May 14 elections begins. He said that the military checkpoints were being put up not so much to deter criminals but to intimidate and frighten supporters of the opposition senatorial slate as well as of the progressive party-lists.

"The checkpoint guards are actually on the lookout for members and supporters of the progressive party-lists, intimidating them and threatening to confiscate election paraphernalia," he said.

"The checkpoints are also intended to condition the public mindset and get Filipinos used to the ubiquitous and alarming presence of the military come the actual election day. We have strong suspicions that there's a massive fraud campaign afoot, and Malacanang will again be utilizing the full services of the AFP for this purpose."," he said.

The veteran labor leader turned legislator that AFP chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon's attempts to justify the checkpoints fall on deaf ears.

"Who is Esperson trying to fool? The military deployment in the urban centers and the establishment of the checkpoints do not serve any higher purpose but those of Malacanang's. The AFP will again be instrumental in the implementation of another massive fraud campaign which will benefit the allies and candidates of the Arroyo administration. It's the involvement of the AFP that voters and anti-violence and anti-fraud election watchdogs should watch out for," he said.

Volunteers to go out in force

Beltran said that Anakpawis will be mobilizing thousands of its full-time volunteers on election day to monitor the voting precincts up to the final canvassing of elections returns. "Even now our members along with the supporters of Anakpawis' sister party-lists are joining the church-based Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) as well as other pollwatchers' groups and participating in training seminars on how to detect and expose election fraud during the ballot counting process," he said.

"Our volunteers are also being trained to be on high-alert when it comes to the presence of the military and the their paramilitary or civilian volunteers. The Comelec may have given the AFP the benefit of the doubt, but the progressive party-lists are not leaving anything to chance. The AFP's increasing interference in the election process bids nothing good for the chances of the May 14 polls to be completely clean, credible and violence-free," he said.

"We don't want the streets to be swarming with police and military come election day. If anything, there must be more civilian volunteers guarding the polling precincts and keeping watch against any attempts to disenfranchise supporters of the opposition slate and the progressive party-lists."#

Beltran demands political and constitutional right to suffrage; to ask court to allow his release on May 14 pending favorable resolution of his motion

Wednesday May 2, 2007

Beltran demands political and constitutional right to suffrage; to ask court to allow his release on May 14 pending favorable resolution of his motion for bail

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that even as the Supreme Court has yet to grant his petition for bail, he is already preparing to file a motion to be allowed to leave his detention room at the Philippine Heart Center on May 14 election day so he may be able to cast his vote for his party-list Anakpawis and the candidates it is supporting and endorsing for the senatorial and local elections. Beltran said that he hopes that his political and constitutional right to vote will not be denied him given that he has already been illegally arrested and unjustly detained for the last 14 months.

Beltran's motion to attend the Labor Day rallies yesterday, May 1 International Labor Day was denied by the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150.

"Pending the favorable resolution of my motion for bail, I hope that the court will not deny my plea that I be allowed to leave detention so I can cast my vote for Anakpawis on May 14," he said. Beltran, 74, is a registered voter in Gao, Commonwealth, Quezon City where he has been residing with his family since the late 1970s. He remains Anakpwis' Party-List's first nominee to the party-list polls as well as its national chairman.

The veteran labor leader and activist lawmaker's legal counsels led by Atty. Romeo Capulong has already filed a motion for his temporary release on bail. They filed the motion soon after the release of senatorial candidate Gringo Honasan's own motion for bail was granted and Honasan was released.

Beltran said that the charges against Honasan and the charges against himself were both rebellion, "But I have been incarcerated far longer than he has, and my previous motion for bail essentially ignored. I hope that since the courts and the Arroyo administration allowed Honasan's release, it will also allow mine. It will be glaring double standard of justice if this will not be the case," he said. #