Comelec should investigate reports that the AFP is campaigning for Team Unity candidates, presidential son Dato

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Comelec should investigate reports that the AFP is campaigning for Team Unity candidates, presidential son Dato

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today called on the Commission on Elections to investigate reports that Malacanang and presidential chief of staff Jose 'Joey' Salceda have mobilized the Armed Forces of the Philippines to pressure local officials including barangay captains and residents in Camarine Sur to support the congressional candidacy of presidential son Diosdado 'Dato' Macapagal-Arroyo.

According to reports, the AFP has also been mobilized to pressure residents to vote for the candidates under the Team Unity slate and ensure a complete victory for them in the elections.

"Reports such as these only affirm the assertion of progressive partylists and clean elections watchdogs that the supposed non-partisanship of the AFP is fake. In the last few years, the AFP has become more and more politicized as the Pres. Arroyo became more and more dependent on its support for her highly unpopular presidency," he said.

"The Comelec should immediately look into this report that the AFP is assisting in the campaign of the presidential son, as well as in forcing residents and local officials to support the Team Unity slate. Given the strong showing of the Genuine Opposition in electoral surveys predicting a sure-fire victory for its candidates, Malacanang will not hesitate to use more hard-core tactics to muster support for its slate, even the kind of support that's the product of coercion," he said.

"We hope that Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos will not exempt the presidential son's campaign from the Comelec's strict monitoring. The Comelec should also keep a close eye on the deployment of AFP troops in areas where the Team Unity is campaigning,, less the soldiers are the ones practically giving out leaflets and putting out posters of Arroyo's candidates," he said.

Macapagal-Arroyo's boasting on economic progress unwarranted; she's using the power rate cut as leverage for Team Unity

In the meantime, Rep.Beltran scored Pres. Arroyo's crowing over her recent order to have electricity rates lowered. He said that the power rate cut does not even begin to cover up Macapagal-Arroyo's general failure to genuinely improve the economy and give Filipinos a better way of life. Beltran said that Malacanang had thumbed down the bill legislating a P125 across-the-board wage increase, and so far, nothing has happened to the Malacanang promise of a salary hike for government employees who, in turn, demand a P3,000 across-the-board salary increase.

"She should have thought about this long before the elections because it is so obvious that she is using the rate cut as leverage for Team Unity. This does not even begin to bridge the gap between the public and Malacanang's anointed ones," he said.

Beltran also said that the president's boasting that she is succeeding in turning the economy around is not warranted. Citing reports from IBON Foundation, Beltran said that the performance of the peso, which is seen to soon breach the P48:$1 level, is actually due to the weakening of the dollar and the record remittances of overseas Filipino workers (nearly $13 billion in 2006), rather than foreign exchange revenues from genuinely Philippine-made exports.

"It's the election season, and historically during the moths leading up to the polls there's a lot of money floating around. No jobs are being generated, and local industries are not developing as the country remains desperately dependent on imports. Pres. Arroyo is latching on the power rate cut as an achievement when actually a reduction in electricity rates should have been implemented long before because of the decrease of oil prices in the international and local markets," he concluded.#

"Thanks, but no thanks Ambassador Kenney – your government's expressions of concern over the killings only add insult to already grievous injury"

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

"Thanks, but no thanks Ambassador Kenney – your government's expressions of concern over the killings only add insult to already grievous injury"

"Thanks, but no thanks, Ambassador. Your country has meddled so much and so long into the Philippines' internal, political affairs that we are not at all a sovereign nation. And before your government even thinks to make a comment on the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines, the would be better to pull out its own troops from Iraq and submit itself to the International Criminal Court for countless crimes against humanity. A lecture on human rights is not something the US government can credibly give."

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran gave this comment today regarding US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney's statement that the US government is concerned over the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

"The US Embassy won't even surrender convicted rapist Daniel Smith to the Philippine authorities, and Smith violated a Filipina. The Macapagal-Arroyo presidency and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are waging this campaign against political activists and perpetrating extrajudicial killings also in the name of the US' campaign against terrorism. Ambassador Kenney's expressions of concern on behalf of her government only add insult to injury. They are steeped in hypocrisy," said Beltran.

The activist lawmaker detained on rebellion charges said that if the Ambassador Kenney is personally concerned over the human rights violations being perpetrated by the AFP, then she should make a recommendation to the White House that the US withdraw all military aid to the Philippines, and permanently call off the Balikatan exercises.

"Can she do this? Can Ambassador Kenney and her government go beyond issuing these statements of concern and do something concrete by way of ending military abuses in the Philippines? Sadly, the answer is most likely 'no'," Beltran said.

In the meantime, Beltran challenged Pres. Arroyo to order the immediate arrest of Jovito Palparan as proof that she will act on the recommendations of the Melo Commission and UN Human Rights Commission special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Philip Alston.

"If Pres. Arroyo was really sincere in addressing the issue of the killings, then she would immediately crack the whip on the AFP and order the scrapping of Oplan Bantay Laya. What we see, however, is Pres. Arroyo protecting the AFP and shielding the likes of Palparan from prosecution. What use are these courts Mrs. Arroyo is proposing of the killers are actually immune from prosecution? These courts most likely are being formed to try and acquit the killers, men like Palparan,"

"Macapagal-Arroyo is actually skirting the real issue of who is accountable for the killings. The Melo Commission which she herself created has pointed to the military as the perpetrators of the killings, but she refuses to act on that specific conclusion. All her orders to supposedly address the killings all nothing but window dressing," he concluded.#

Palparan belongs behind bars, not in Congress; Bataan residents should think a thousand times before even considering electing Norberto Gonzales

Monday, February 26, 2007

Palparan belongs behind bars, not in Congress; Bataan residents should think a thousand times before even considering electing Norberto Gonzales – Anakpawis solons

"If Jovito Palparan ran for a position in hell, he'd win and take over; but if he's hell-bent on running for public office, then we must all do our best to make sure he doesn't win. Palparan's black brand of politics and twisted understanding of what it means to defend democracy, however, make him an ideal candidate of the Arroyo administration. In any case, Palparan's bid for elective office should be nipped in the bud. A serial killer and mastermind of massacres should not be allowed to run even for barangay chairman. He belongs behind bars, not in congress."

This was Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran's comment regarding reports that Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon is putting up a fan club and encouraging Palparan to run under the party-list system.

"Which group will Palparan represent? ANAD? Or national security adviser Norberto Gonzales' Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP)? Palparan is a cold-blooded killer, and what other platform can he carry but that of death? Esperon's endorsement of Palparan is an endorsement of the continuing spate of extrajudicial killings and the general deterioration of the human rights situation in the country," Beltran said.

"Esperon has the gall to recommend Palparan to run for public office even in the midst of the outrage over the extrajudicial killings. He only affirms the AFP's full support for the killings and the continuing attacks against the members and leaders of the progressive party-lists, human rights advocates and members of militant people's organizations. Esperon is a hypocrite and a liar by saying that he and the AFP are non-partisan – here he is, practically the president of the Jovito Palparan fan club and goading the killer to run," he said.

In the meantime, fellow Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano said that Norberto Gonzales' plans to also run for a congressional seat in Bataan should also be thwarted. "Gonzales is a political wanna-be. He has made a name and reputation for himself as a war mongerer and an advocate of state repression of civil and democratic rights. The residents of Bataan would do good to think a hundred times over before they even consider putting his name on the ballot."

"If there are dream tandems, then Gonzales and Palparan as running mates under the Macapagal-Arroyo slate consists of a nightmare team," Mariano said.

"Instead of pushing for legislation that will benefit the poor and working people, these Palparan and Gonzales will most likely focus on blocking all of the measures the lawmakers of the progressive party-lists will be campaigning for," he concluded.

The two lawmakers of Anakpawis demanded that Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo put an end to the political ambitions of both of her henchmen. "Have they no shame? The international community is giving its full attention to the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines and the extrajudicial killings, the least Macapagal-Arroyo can do is to collar these two notorious human rights violators. "#

Detained lawmaker marks anniversary of arrest; remains defiant of the Macapagal-Arroyo government charges of rebellion against him

Sunday February 25, 2007

Detained lawmaker marks anniversary of arrest; remains defiant of the Macapagal-Arroyo government charges of rebellion against him

Nationally and internationally-coordinated protests beginning today are being held to mark the anniversary of Anakpawis Rep.Crispin Beltran's arrest. The activist lawmaker was arrested February 25 last year when Pres. Arroyo laid down Presidential Decree 1017 declaring a state of national emergency.

In the Philippines, jeepney drivers will be holding a motorcade from Mandaue City to Cebu City in protest of Ka Bel's continuing detention. Ecumenical masses will be offered for Ka Bel in various parishes all over the country. A big rally is scheduled tomorrow, Monday, February 26 in front of the Philippine Heart Center to be spearheaded by Anakpawis, Kilusang Mayo Uno and the Free Ka Bel Movement. In Germany, allies from militant unions and solidarity groups will be trooping to the offices of the Philippine embassy to press for Ka Bel's immediate release. An ecumenical service from 10:00-11:00 am will be held in front of the Philippine Heart Center tomorrow, and a protest rally immediately afterwards. Participants will then march to the offices of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).

"It has been one year since I was arrested on false and fabricated charges. I will continue to insist and assert my innocence against the accusations leveled against me by the Macapagal-Arroyo government, particularly the Department of Justice. Despite the refusal of the Macapagal-Arroyo government to have me released, I do not lose hope that I will one of these days walk free. I am grateful to all those who continue to support me through these trying times, and who denounce the worsening political repression of this unjust and inhumane regime," Beltran, 74, said.

The veteran labor leader and activist lawmaker's case continues to win the support of local human rights organizations, as well as the support of the international community. The Interparliamentary Union (IPU) and Amnesty International have also repeatedly released statements, resolutions and reports condemning Ka Bel's arrest and demanding his immediate release.

"The Arroyo government has no legal and just reason to keep me under detention. The testimonies against me are all fabricated. I am being denied my freedom because I have refused to back down from my criticism and opposition to the Macapagal-Arroyo government's anti-poor, anti-people and anti-national programs and policies. My arrest one year ago and my continuing incarceration are all testimonies to the worsening political repression in the Philippines. It further exposes the truth about the Arroyo administration and its disrespect for the democratic right to express political dissent," he said.

"I have not made it a secret that I have no love for the Macapagal-Arroyo government because of its relentless attacks against the economic welfare and political rights of the Filipino people. I have not, however, resorted to any illegal means to bring it down. By keeping me detained and refusing to drop the false charges against me, the Arroyo regime only affirms its reputation as a burgeoning dictatorship and human rights violator."

Beltran is a four-time awardee of Most Oustanding Congressman of the Year awards, as well as Filipino of the Year by Graphic Magazine. He is now under 24-7 watch by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detention Group (CIDG) as he is detained in the PHC. The Supreme Court has yet to act on a petition filed by his lawyers from the Public Interest Law Center (PILC) calling on the SC to assume jurisdiction over the case because of the inaction of the lower courts of Makati. #

Rep Crispin Beltran's arrest and incarceration mark first year tomorrow, February 25

Saturday February 24, 2007

Rep Crispin Beltran's arrest and incarceration mark first year tomorrow, February 25

"Sinusuntok na ni Ka Bel ang mga pader sa tinding galit sa kasamaan ng gobyernong Macapagal-Arroyo"

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran wil have spent one year under incarceration tomorrow, February 25. Beltran was arrested the same date last year after Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared a state of national emergency and imposed Presidential Decree 1017. Beltran has been charged with inciting to sedition and rebellion. Because of heart problems, he has been detained at the Philippine Heart Center instead of Camp Crame where the Department of Justice and the Philippine National Police have initially placed.

Beltran's daughter and Free Ka Bel Movement spokesperson Ofelia Beltran-Balleta, 43, said that Ka Bel has been growing increasingly frustrated with his unjust incarceration and the snail-pace movement of his case in the courts, including the Supreme Court.

"Ka Bel's health remains unstable and it's directly related to his incarceration. It's very had for an innocent man to be denied his freedom and accused of a crime he did not commit. Even before his arrest and incarceration, Ka Bel has always had problems sleeping because his brain is perpetually preoccupied wit his work and duties as a progressive legislator and a mass leader. Now, after a year of being detained within four walls inside a small room, he has virulent insomnia," she said.

Ofelia said that in the last week as the anniversary of his arrest neared, Ka Bel had been literally hitting the walls.

"His fists and knuckles are bruised black and blue because late last week he got so angry reading the newspapers, reading about GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership's arrogance in denying and discrediting the Alston report. He started hitting the wall with his fists. He was so angry and frustrated,' she said. "My father is ordinarily a mild and patient man, but he can no longer contain his anger against the injustices of the government, including its false charges against him."

"My father is innocent, he has committed no crime against this government. His outspokenness against the corruption and the worsening repressive character of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration is all within the boundaries of the law – guaranteed by the Constitution. What the Arroyo government through the DOJ has done is treacherous and underhanded. God knows where Sec. Gonzalez found the witnesses who testified against Ka Bel, and how much he bribed them," she said.

Rep. Beltran, 74, has not been allowed to leave the immediate hospital premises since September when he filed counter-charges against his accusers led by Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez.

Ofelia said that on Monday, February 26, Anakpawis Party-list, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and the Free Ka Bel Movement (FKBM) with people's organizations under the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) will hold an ecumenical mass and a protest rally in front of the Philippine Heart Center to protest against Ka Bel's continuing incarceration.

"We will continue to press for Ka Bel's release. He is not a criminal, and it is the Arroyo government that continues to act criminally by continuing to detain him and denying his rights as an elected representative in Congress," she said. "UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Philip Alston has also expressed deep concern over Ka Bel's detention and said that he will do his best to bring it to the attention of the United Nations and the rest of the international human rights community." #

Macapagal-Arroyo should resign over the killings; Palparan and the AFP were emboldened to kill because of her full support – Beltran

Saturday February 24, 2007

Macapagal-Arroyo should resign over the killings; Palparan and the AFP were emboldened to kill because of her full support – Beltran

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that Pres.Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should resign over the worsening human rights situation, especially after the very commission she created has found her liable for the long and bloody list of extrajudicial killings perpetrated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against human rights advocates, members of progressive party-lists and militant people's organizations.

"She was the one who gave butcher Jovito Palparan the authority to conduct his killing spree and to order his troops to target human rights advocates and political activists vocal against the administration. Macapagal-Arroyo is Dr. Frankenstein and Palparan is her monster, only unlike Mary Shelley's monster, Palparan is fully conscious of the evil he has done," he said.

"Pres. Arroyo is the commander in chief of the entire AFP. She cannot deny that she has knowledge of the military operations and Bantay Laya I and II. She cannot deny that she knows full well what Palparan had been doing during his tour of duty in Southern Tagalog, Central Luzon and Central Visayas. As commander in chief, and as president of this country, the responsibility of protecting the human and civil rights of her constituents rests primarily on her. What she did was to twist this mandate and instead commend Palparan and his men for their blood-soaked campaign to exterminate activists and human rights advocates all over the country," he said.

"The issue of command responsibility cannot evaded. Even before the Melo Commission's report was finalized and long before the issue of extrajudicial killings caught the attention of the international community, Pres. Arroyo has already been called upon to stop Palparan and the killings. She did not nothing and said nothing and instead promoted Palparan and awarded him with a medal of valor. She condoned the killings, she commended the killers and protected them, the same way she continues to protects them now. She should step down – she condoned the massacre of Filipinos by the military," he said.

In the meantime, Beltran scorned Palparan's attempts to backtrack and evade responsibility for the killings by saying that he merely tried to scare the victims. And that it was simply collateral damage when they were killed.

"Palparan is cold and calculating murderer. In the last few years since 2001 how many times has he declared that he finds no difference between members of Bayan Muna and the New People's Army? He has, repeatedly, in his media interviews and even in his testimonies in congress and the senate, stated that it is his personal mission to see Bayan Muna and its sister partylists defeated, regardless of what means is utilized?"

"Palaparan is no different from serial killers. He cannot be allowed to slither away and escape criminal liability for all the innocent lives he destroyed, for the people he killed. He is now trying to resort to double-talk, trying to twist his previous testimonies and insist that they were misinterpreted. There is no going around the body count – 832 dead; and these killings are Palparan and his boss Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's bloody legacy to this nation," he said.

"To Raul Gonzalez, Norberto Gonzales and the two Hermogeneses in the AFP and the defense department: Stop defending and protecting Palparan. If you still have the slightest amount of humanity left, stop protecting Palparan because otherwise, you are no different from him, killers all," he said. #

Esperon, Gonzalez should be removed from office on the grounds of mental and emotional incapacity

Friday, February 23, 2007

Esperon, Gonzalez should be removed from office on the grounds of mental and emotional incapacity

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that the top brass of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez are foaming at the mouth over the Melo Commission Report and UN Human Rights Commission special rapporteur Philip Alston's initial report, and their responses were all non-sequitur and fallacious in nature.

"Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon and Gonzalez should be removed from office. They are both mentally and emotionally incapacitated. With their recent conduct and response to the issue of the Melo Report and Alston's findings, they have proven that they are incapable of objective thinking. They simply just might go amok. It would be best for them to go into early retirement," he said.

Beltran said that Esperon's accusations that the New People's Army (NPA) was guilty of purging its ranks was completely unrelated to the Melo Reoport and Alston's findings.

"The victims of the AFP's extrajudicial killings are human rights advocates, members of progressive party-lists and militant people's organizations. What has the NPA got to do with all of this? Civilians are being systematically killed as part of the AFP's Oplan Bantay Laya, but all Esperon can say that the AFP is fighting the NPA and waging a counter-insurgency campaign. It appears that he's trying to justify the brutal murder of over 830 political activists and human rights advocates as the AFP's retaliation against the NPA," he said.

Beltran said that the AFP's release of a 20-year old video of Jose Maria Sison wherein he mentions the people's organizations of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Gabriela, League of Filipino Students and Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) also strengthens the argument of human rights groups that the real target of the AFP are the militant people's groups.

"It's a 20-year old video. What does that got to do with the extra-judicial killings being perpetrated now with the blessings of the Macapagal-Arroyo government? The AFP is conducting an exercise in futility by trying to use a 20-year old video to justify the AFP's attacks against the progressive party-lists and militant people's organizations," he said.

"There is no defending or justifying the AFP's Bantay Laya and Esperon's pathetic attempts to defend the institution. He is deliberately avoiding the issue that the military is behind more than 830 extrajudicial killings, and is throwing darts at Alston and human rights groups for calling to an end to the brutality," he concluded.#

Macapagal-Arroyo should stop protecting the military and order the arrest and prosecution of Palparan

Friday, February 23, 2007

Macapagal-Arroyo should stop protecting the military and order the arrest and prosecution of Palparan

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran said that Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should immediately act on the recommendations of the Melo Commission and United Nations Human Rights Commission special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Philip Alston.

"Pres. Arroyo was the one who invited members of the international community to come to the Philippines and help investigate the issue of the killings. She's also the one who ordered the establishment of the Melo Commission and laid down its mandate. Now that she is in possession of two reports – one by the Melo Commission, and the other containing the initial findings and recommendations of a UN representative – Macapagal-Arroyo should take immediate and decisive action to address and put an end to the extrajudicial killings," he said.

"Pres. Arroyo will once more expose herself a hypocrite if she doesn't take action on the findings recommendations of the Melo Commission, primarily it's conclusion that Jovito Palparan is a mastermind of the killings,"" he said.

Beltran, however, opined that Mrs. Arroyo's reluctance to order the scrapping of Oplan Bantay Laya and the full investigation of Jovito Palparan was goaded by self-preservation.

"It's clear that Pres. Arroyo is being highly hesitant and perhaps even afraid of the repercussions if she should express the slightest agreement with the reports. She is beholden to the AFP and to the likes of Jovito Palparan and is perhaps afraid that if she criticizes the AFP for the killings, they will abandon her," he said.

"Macapagal-Arroyo should order a stop to the political killings and order the arrest and prosecution of Palparan or being international condemnation.She is now caught between a rock and a hard place. This issue of political killings and the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines will not disappear or go away because the attention of the international community is focused on the country. Macapagal-Arroyo's continuing support for the AFP and the refusal to order an end to the killings inevitably damages her and her already unpopular office."#

It's Macapagal-Arroyo's critics who should be on red alert, be watchful against AFP and PNP

Thursday, February 22, 2007

As EDSA 1 and PD1017 anniversaries near
It's Macapagal-Arroyo's critics who should be on red alert, be watchful against AFP and PNP

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that it is not the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or the Philippine National Police who should be on red alert as the 21st anniversary of the first EDSA People Power Uprising approaches, but the general public. Beltran said that the Macapagal-Arroyo administration and its so-called 'intelligence units' might once more come up with another grand and fabricated excuse to impose a state of national emergency and begin rounding up members and sympathizers of the opposition as well as other critics of the administration.

Beltran himself was arrested February 25 last year as he was on his way to the EDSA shrine from Bulacan. He has since been charged with inciting to sedition and rebellion. It has also been six months since his case has been heard and discussed in court.

"It's not so much the PNP or the AFP should be vigilant as the countdown to the EDSA 1 anniversary begins, but Macapagal-Arroyo's critics. Given Malacanang's increasing desperation and the ever-growing influence of militarists in the Macapagal-Arroyo cabinet, it's highly possible that the red alert imposed in preparation for the EDSA 1 anniversary will be used as an excuse to round up Arroyo's critics and charge them of plotting against the administration. This is what was done to me and to justify my arrest and continuing detention," he said.

The political detainee said that Malacanang should not even think of calling for celebrations of EDSA 1 given that it has sullied the memory of the historic event when Macapagal-Arryo imposed Presidential Decree 1017 last year and violently dispersed the peaceful demonstrations that were organized to commemorate the event.

"Pres. Arroyo has no right to speak about the spirit of EDSA 1 given all that she has done to violate what EDSA 1 stood for – the Filipino people's struggle against dictatorship and the vicious attacks against civil and human rights. Macapagal-Arroyo has already surpassed Marcos' human rights violations record, and the tally of extra-judicial killings under her watch continues to increase."

"Macapagal-Arroyo is now solely relying on the support of the AFP and the PNP to remain in power. She condones and even lauds the attacks against civil and human rights. Her declarations that she will address the issue of the killings are all essentially hollow because she refuses to chastise the AFP and scrap Oplan Bantay Laya I and II. It's not enough that she's ordering more funds more the Commission on Human Rights. Even that is more likely to be just empty promises,' he said,

Finally, Beltran said that the lawmakers and nominees of the progressive party-lists Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Gabriela Women's Party were also in danger of being arrested as the EDSA 1 anniversary nears.

"Our party-lists have certainly gotten the goat National Security adviser Norberto Gonzales, Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez and other the hardcore militarists in the administration lead by defense secretary Hermogenes Ebdane. We have reason to believe that there is an existing plot emanating from the Arroyo inner circles to eliminate the progressive party-lists by having them disqualified and their nominees charged with non-bailable crimes," he said.

Beltran said that especially in the light of United Nations Commission on Human Rights Special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Philip Alston's report, the AFP and the PNP will be raring to launch more attacks against the progressive party-lists and their representatives and leaders. #

Malacanang will never welcome investigations into the killings that do not absolve the AFP

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Malacanang will never welcome investigations into the killings that do not absolve the AFP

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that the Macapagal-Arroyo administration's refusal to acknowledge and respect the findings and conclusions of United Nations Human Rights Commission special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Philip Alston is proof that it will never substantially and genuinely address the issue of the killings.

Beltran said that instead of receiving the findings objectively and constructively, Malacanang and its military spokespersons as well as justice secretary Raul Gonzalez have taken to dismissing Alston's findings. "Malacanang spokesperson Ignacio Bunye says that Malacanang welcomes all investigations into the killings; but seeing the AFP's reaction to the Mr. Alston's report, will Malacanang act in the findings of the investigations?"

"It's official – Malacanang will never acknowledge any international report on the human rights situation in the Philippines that doesn't coincide with its own version of reality. Pres. Arroyo herself has on many different occasions said that she welcomes any and all assistance from the international community to get to the truth behind the extrajudicial killings; but now here we have her own cabinet officials and spokespersons of the Armed Forces of the Philippines making personal insults against a UN official and refuting his findings as mere results of brainwashing," he said.

"How come she has not chastised Sec. Gonzalez for his insults against Mr. Alston and his office? Gonzalez is essentially bringing shame to the Arroyo administration for his most undiplomatic remarks and personal insults against an official of an internationally respected institution," he said.

"It's clear that Malacanang and officials like Raul Gonzalez will never welcome any investigations into the killings that will not absolve the government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The only assistance that Malacanang will genuinely accept and welcome in relation to the extrajudicial killings are the ones that say that the AFP is not guilty and that there is no government plot to eliminate civilians allied with human rights groups and progressive party-lists," he added.

On the release of the Melo Report: Stop the killings, order the arrest of Palparan

Beltran welcomed the public release of the Melo Report commission and said that it will now be up tot eh public to lay down its verdict on the report. He pointed out, howeverm that even the Melo Commission which Macapagal-Arroyo herself ordered established was unable to come up with findings that did not pinpoint the military as perpetrators of the killings. "The Melo Commission cannot be accused of being biased in favor of the so-called Leftists; but still it's findings reveal that the military is accountable for the deaths of the members of the progressive party-lists and human rights groups. Now that the report has been made public, we challenge Pres. Arroyo to act on the findings and the recommendations of the Melo Commission and proceed with the arrest and prosecution of the masterminds and perpetrators of the killings, beginning with Jovito Palparan," he said.

"We have had enough of Malacanang's lip service to the issues of human rights and the extrajudicial killings. Malacanang should put its money where its mouth is so to speak. We demand that Pres. Arroyo order the immediate arrest of Jovito Palaparan and the immediate scrapping of Oplan Bantay Laya. Arroyo herself should a issue a public apology to the families of the victims, and also publicly denounce the killings as the handiwork of the AFP," he said.

"No witness protection program, no number of court hearings can replace the outright scrapping of Oplan Bantay Laya. This must be the first step – for a public declaration on the part of the administration that it is ordering the AFP to stop attacking and killing the members and leaders of militant people's groups, human rights organizations and progressive party-lights. What we demand is an unequivocal statement from Pres. Arroyo herself calling on the AFP to stop its killing operations," he said. #

Rep. Beltran's wife asks United Nations through Special Rapporteur Philip Alston to give attention to husband's case; slams de Venecia and Nograles...

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Rep. Beltran's wife asks United Nations through Special Rapporteur Philip Alston to give attention to husband's case; slams de Venecia and Nograles for abandoning Ka Bel

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran's wife and partner for the last 50 years Mrs. Rosario Soto-Beltran today attended the hearing of the House Committee on Human Rights regarding the relentless series of extrajudicial killings. United Nations Commission on Human Rights Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Philip Alston was in attendance, and Mrs. Beltran sought to speak to the said UN official regarding the continuing detention of her husband.

Rep. Beltran has been incarcerated on charges of inciting to sedition and rebellion since February 25, 2006 when the Macapagal-Arroyo administration declared a state of emergency. Rep. Beltran has been accused of colluding with elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to remove Macapagal-Arroyo from office.

"We continue to do everything we can to press for Ka Bel's release, and I am prepared to speak to anyone who will listen and help. It's been a year since Ka Bel has been arrested, and it's most unjust because the testimonies of supposed witnesses against him are all false. The witnesses are lying, the timeline connecting Ka Bel to the military uprising is incorrect, and Ka Bel would never resort to colluding with the military," she said.

The Beltran family has already given Alston a briefing paper on Ka Bel's arrest as well as a personal letter from Ka Bel asking the United Nations through Alston to give attention to his case. Beltran is a victim of unjust and arbitrary detention, and his continuing detention on made-up charges is a inconvertible truth that there is worsening political repression in the Philippines.

"Sana bigyang pansin ni Mr. Alston ang kaso ng asawa ko. Alam ko na wala siyang magagawa para direktang palayain si Ka Bel, pero sana mapaabot niya sa UN ang nangyayaring pampulitikang panggigpit dito sa Pilipinas. Isang taon nang nakakulong si Ka Bel, at hindi umuusad ang mga hearing sa kanyang kaso. Lumalala na rin ang kalusugan niya," Mrs. Beltran said.

Mrs. Beltran also slammed the House of Representatives, specifically Speaker Jose de Venecia and Majority Leader Prospero Nograles.

"Walang ginawa ang mga opisyales ng Kongreso para protektahan si Ka Bel. Si de Venecia ni minsan ay hindi nagsalita para igiit ang mga karapatan ni Ka Bel bilang isang konggresista. Si Nograles naman, lalo pang idinidiin si Ka Bel at sinasabing mas mabigat ang kaso ni Ka Bel kaya dun sa kongresista ng Laguna nanahulihan ng bala at baril sa kanyang bag. Alam nilang inosente si Ka Bel sa mga akusasyon laban sa kanya; at bilang congressman may mga karapatan sa immunity si Ka Bel pero sina de Venecia at Nograles walang ginawa at talagang nilaglag si Ka Bel," she said.

Mrs. Beltran was referring to Rep. Danton Bueser.

Mrs. Beltran said that de Venecia should have stood up to defend Ka Bel and insist on his parliamentary immunity, "But what he did was let the Department of Justice and the Philippine National Police to continue their persecution and prosecution of Ka Bel. We will not forget de Venecia's deafening silence on this issue of Ka Bel's illegal arrest and continuing incarceration. Utos talaga ng Malacanang kina de Venecia nah wag tulungan si Ka Bel at hayaan siyang makulong kahit wala siyang kasalanan," she said.

Rep. Beltran's wife furthermore accused Speaker de Venecia of remaining deaf to the constant and consistent calls from other lawmakers that the House leadership take Ka Bel under protective custody and give him sanctuary.

"Through his silence and inaction, he allowed the DOJ and the PNP to arrest, detain and charge Ka Bel despite the fact that congress was in session at the time of the arrest, and that the testimonies are false and fabricated," she concluded.#

Legitimate expressions of political dissent to be branded terrorist acts under ATB

Monday, February 19, 2007

Legitimate expressions of political dissent to be branded terrorist acts under ATB

Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran today said that with the pending approval and passage of the anti-terrorism bill, the Macapagal-Arroyo administration's campaign of all-out political repression will be strengthened and given legal legitimacy. He said that even political protests and demonstrations will be branded as acts of terrorism.

"Given the increasingly dictatorial tendencies of the Arroyo presidency, democratic expressions of legitimate political dissent can and will be twisted as acts of terrorism. The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces (AFP) will be even more emboldened to disregard civil and human rights of political activists and dissenters criticizing Macapagal-Arroyo and her corrupt rule. The anti-terrorism bill as law will serve as the Arroyo administration main weapon to silence her critics by criminalizing them and labeling them terrorists. Without doubt, this draconian measure will open the floodgates to more abuses. It will be abused to the hilt by the administration and its armed forces," he said.

"The anti-terrorism bill is one more reason to call for the resignation and impeachment of Macapagal-Arroyo. She is pushing for this bill's immediate passage to please the US government which has been pressuring the Philippines into contributing more to its international campaign against terrorism. She is trying to hit two birds with one stone: pleasing the US on the one hand; and crippling her critics," he said.

"It doesn't matter what name Arroyo's allies give the anti-terrorism bill(I¡½(Bthe essence remains the same: it poses a serious threat against the lives and personal rights and security of individual Filipinos, even those who are non-politicized," he said.

Solon calls for heightened vigilance against electoral fraud as Comelec prints 4 M extra ballots

"With all due respect to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos, we hope that the Comelec's extra four million ballots being printed in preparation for the May polls will not end up in the hands of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration's cheating, fraud and general dirty tricks department."

This was the comment of Anakpawis Rep. and political detainee Crispin Beltran today regarding regards that the poll commission was coming out with four million reserve ballots. He said that while he does question Abalos' explanation regarding the move, he (Beltran) nonetheless insists that the Comelec make sure that the said extra ballots do not end up in the custody of the Arroyo electoral team.

"We are very justified in calling for vigilance against electoral fraud. The current government is headed by a president who has a record of massive cheating and fraud, and even as she insists that her slate for the senatorial elections is the team to beat, public surveys state otherwise. It will simply be impossible for the Macapagal-Arroyo's slate to secure a victory without resorting to dirty tricks, including the reliable tricks of vote-padding, ballot-switching, and vote-rigging," he said.

"The administration is desperate to secure a majority in the Senate and take over the senate presidency. We cannot put anything pass the Arroyo camp and should be more vigilant than usual. "

Beltran said that he was also highly concerned about the possible plans of the Arroyo camp to rig the party-list elections in favor of the administration-backed party-lists. He said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is certain to tap corrupt Comelec officials and personnel to rig the elections against the progressive party-lists Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Gabriela Women's Party, Kabataan Party-list and Suara Bangsa Moro and make sure that the party-lists allied with the administration get more votes.

"We have strong reasons to believe that the bloc of progressive party-lists is being targeted for fraud. It's no secret that Malacanang wants us completely removed from congress and stop our vocal advocacy against the anti-people, anti-poor legislation being peddled by the administration on the behest of its foreign and local business supporters and political allies," he said. #

Let the media and the rest of the public decide on the contents and recommendations of the Melo Commission's report on extra-judicial killings

Saturday February 17, 2007

Let the media and the rest of the public decide on the contents and recommendations of the Melo Commission's report on extra-judicial killings

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that Malacanang should furnish members of the media copies of the Melo Commission's report on the extra-judicial killings, saying that the media has the right to know.

"Does the document pose a threat to national security? Will its release cause an immediate impact of further weakening the economy? Why is the media – and hence, the general public – being kept in the dark regarding the full contents of the Melo Report? The more Malacanang tries to keep the report under close wraps, the more we will push for the report to be made public," he said. "As guardians of the fourth estate, the media has the right to know and the responsibility to report what is contained in the Melo Commission's official findings. The commission's report has not been classified as top secret, so why is it being treated as such? Has Malacanang embarked on a copy-reading, editing, and re-writing campaign and is in the process of revising the report? "

Some 57 Anakpawis members, coordinators and leaders have been killed since Anakpawis was first established in 2003. Most of those killed come from the peasant and labor sectors.

Beltran said that Malacanang was the one making such a big deal out of the report by keeping it from the media and the rest of the public. He said that the controversy surrounding the Melo Commission's findings and recommendations will not quit and go away so long as human rights organizations and other concerned parties are made aware of its full contents.

"It's difficult to not suspect that Malacanang and its various spin doctors are keeping the report close to their chests as yet because they want to make its contents more favorable to the administration. Otherwise, the report would have been made public as soon as it came out. It's not exactly a document that has severe implications on national security, but perhaps Malacanang is afraid that its content is damning enough to verify and confirm the assertions of human rights groups that the Arroyo government is implementing a state policy on extrajudicial killings against activists and human rights advocates," he said.

"If Malacanang will only release the report to the European Union Commission and the United Nations Human Rights Committee, then it will only confirm the allegation that the Melo Commission was only formed to satisfy the demands of the international community. The families of the victims interviewed by the Melo Commission, for instance, also have the right to know what the commission's conclusions are. They should not be kept in the dark."

The veteran labor leader turned legislator and now political detainee said that the media's right to know should be respected and the Melo Commission's Report be released to them. "Let the members of the media read and interpret the contents of the said document. Let there be an objective reading of the report, and let the public decide."#

Lawmaker says widows Felipe and Bayudang should accuse the more likely killers of their husbands, the military

Saturday February 17, 2007

Lawmaker says widows Felipe and Bayudang should accuse the more likely killers of their husbands, the military; calls on Comelec to dismiss their motion to disqualify progressive party-lists


Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National security adviser Norberto Gonzales and were most likely behind the moves of Medelyn Felipe and Isabelita Bayudang's petition to the Commission on Elections to cancel the registration of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela as party-list organizations and disqualify their nominees for seats in Congress in the May 14 elections.

Beltran said that Anakpawis and its sister progressive parties have nothing to do with the abduction or killing of any Filipino, regardless of their affiliation with any other political group including Akbayan. He said that the Commission on Elections should dismiss the complaint. "Our party-lists and our leaders are the main targets of the government's campaign of extrajudicial killings and intense political repression precisely because we fight for human rights," he said.

"We hope that Mrs. Felipe and Mrs. Bayudang, even in their grief, will not resort to accusing us for the deaths of their husbands. They should turn to the real perpetrators – the military. We are the same in seeking justice for the deaths of loved ones at the hands of the armed forces of the Arroyo government. We hope that they will not allow themselves to be used and manipulated by the military or the other attackers of our progressive party-lists."

Beltran questioned the timing of the two widow's filing of complaint. "The timing is too suspect. It's clear that the intent is to take even a little of the attention away from the issue of the extrajudicial killings being perpetrated against our progressive party-lists, and to discredit our calls for justice by making it appear that we, too are guilty of extra-judicial killings. The victims are now being accused of being killers themselves. This accusation against Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party and against us, the elected representatives to congress and nominees to the May polls are completely lacking in credibility," he said.

"It is our party-lists and our members, coordinators and leaders who have fallen and continue to fall victim to the Arroyo government's state policy of extrajudicial and political killings. Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party's respective legislators have been harassed and forced to take refuge in the House of Representatives earlier last year. I myself have been incarcerated on false charges and made-up testimonies for almost a year now. What is being done to us and our members we are not in any habit of committing to anybody else. The killers of the husbands of Mrs. Felipe and Mrs. Bayudang are most likely the same as those who have killed over 830 of our own members and leaders – elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines," Beltran said.#

Raul Gonzalez' insult against UN Special Rapporteur exemplifies Arroyo government's real stand on the issue of extrajudicial killings

Friday February 16, 2007

Raul Gonzalez' insult against UN Special Rapporteur exemplifies Arroyo government's real stand on the issue of extrajudicial killings; SC special courts instruments to acquit perpetrators

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez' assertion that United Nations Commission on Human Rights Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Philip Alston has been brainwashed by human rights group brings more shame and embarrassment to the Macapagal-Arroyo administration. He said that Gonzalez has taken a complete leave of his senses – including his sense of decorum and revealed the extent of his uncouthness.

"It's embarrassing how such a ranking official of the government can make such comments about a representative of respected international institution; especially right after Pres. Arroyo herself has said that her government will cooperate fully with Mr. Alston's investigations," Beltran said.

"What kind of cooperation is this government giving to Mr. Alston or to any other members of the international human rights community? Malacanang will simply not acknowledge the findings and recommendations of these concerned individuals and their respective organizations. What Malacanang and the likes of Gonzalez want is absolution; or at the least, for the members of the international community to shut up about the extrajudicial killings in the country," he said.

"Gonzalez is a national embarrassment; and he is liability to the already unpopular Arroyo administration. With the likes of Gonzalez in the Department of Justice and in the presidential cabinet itself, no justice can ever be given the victims of the killings and their families. Gonzalez will relentlessly persist in his campaign to insult, disparage and denigrate all those who demand that Philippine government to address the killings and punish the perpetrators. Pres. Arroyo herself most likely if not silently applauds Gonzalez for his lack of respect and discretion as well as utter rudeness when speaking on the issue of human rights."

In the meantime, the political detainee said that the continuing refusal of Malacanang to make the Melo Commission's report public also exposes the truth that Malacanang really has no intention of genuinely addressing the issue of extrajudicial killings.

"Despite the assertions of human rights groups that the Melo Report essentially covers up Pres. Arroyo's main responsibility over the killings, Malacanang still stubbornly refuses to make the report public. Malacanang is determined to protect itself and its sacred cows among the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) including Jovito Palparan from all culpability. The Melo Commission – just like the courts that the Supreme Court is supposedly intending to establish to hear the cases of the killings – is clearly just a front, something to pacify the international community very much shocked by the worsening human rights situation on the country," he said.

"It is difficult to muster enthusiasm over reports that the Supreme Court wants to put courts to try the cases of extrajudicial killings. We are very justified in suspecting that these courts will only be instruments to dismiss the cases, and secure absolution and acquittal for the perpetrators should any of the families of the victims see it fit to file cases in these courts. These courts are still part and parcel of Pres. Arroyo's pretense that she too shares the concern over the killings. She remains a hypocrite in the eyes of the families of the victims," he said.

"We remain grateful to the members of the international community including Mr. Philip Alston for their objectivity and their willingness to hear the testimonies of the families of the victims and the human rights groups who support them. We hope that the arrogance and insolence of RP officials like Raul Gonzalez will only serve to further convince them that the human rights situation in the Philippines deserves to be given full international attention, and that great diplomatic pressure must be applied to compel the government to put an end to the killings and punish the perpetrators," he concluded.#

Lawmaker urges Comelec to immediately throw out nuisance complaints against Anakpawis, sister party-lists

Friday February 16, 2007

Lawmaker urges Comelec to immediately throw out nuisance complaints against Anakpawis, sister party-lists

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran this afternoon reacted to a report of GMA Network News that two women earlier today filed a motion at the Commission on elections calling for the disqualification of Anakpawis Party-list and its sister progressive party-lists. According to reports, the two women had their heads and faces covered with a shawl as they entered the Comelec and filed the said motion.

"We have no doubt that this another harassment tactic aimed at crippling our campaign and intent to secure seats in congress," said Beltran. "The Comelec should dismiss these nuisance motions. Anakpawis Party-list is by all accounts a credible political party already registered and accredited by the Comelec, and we have won two seats in the last elections. Not even Malacanang can have us disqualified on the basis of the black propaganda being spread by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the office of National security adviser Norberto Gonzales."

"We urge Comelec chief Benjamin Abalos to immediately dismiss such nuisance motions and complaints against our progressive party-lists. In turn, we pledge our full commitment to help and assist the Comelec in monitoring the elections in May and proofing them as much as we can against fraud."

Beltran said that it was evident that the AFP or Norberto Gonzales' dirty tricks department were behind the nuisance motion. "In the regions and provinces, the AFP are already monitored of campaigning actively against Anakpawis and its sister parties. Trhe AFP leadership is issuing bald-faced lies when they say that the AFP troops are prohibited from being partisan, " he said.

The activist lawmaker and Anakpawis first nominee said that it was certain that Malacanang and its various political think-tanks and intelligence units will try to come up with more attempts to undermine the participation of Ankpawis and its sister parties in the elections.

"The incumbent administration is in power primarily because of fraudulent means. In its desperation to remain in power, it will not stop at anything to defeat the sectors, groups and individuals who are well-justified in opposing and exposing it's illegitimacy and continuing corruption."

Lawmaker appeals to other party-lists to not sacrifice the interest of their constituencies in exchange for Malacanang backing

Wednesday February 14, 2007

Lawmaker appeals to other party-lists to not sacrifice the interest of their constituencies in exchange for Malacanang backing

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that in the flurry of the beginning of the election season, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have also begun their campaign against the bloc of progressive party-lists and harass and intimidate members and sympathizers participating in the campaign activities and sorties. Beltran said that all throughout the day yesterday when Anakpawis and its sister party-lists conducted a motorcade all over Manila and Quezon City, they were followed by elements of the PNP and their civilian operatives who took pictures of the participants with their digicams.

"While the mainstream and big-time politicians especially those allied with the Macapagal-Arroyo government are having a field day campaigning, the bloc of progressive partylists are being subjected to harassment tactics. The party-lists allied with Malacanang are without doubt not having the same problems that we are. They are being backed by the administration and also have the goal of defeating their more progressive counterparts who vigilantly oppose Malacanang's anti-poor and anti-people bills in congress," he said.

According to Comelec reports, a total of 153 organizations have expressed their desire to gain seats in Congress on May 14 – twice the number in the 2004 elections. Out of the 153 that want party-list representation in the House of Representatives, 44 have so far been accredited.

"How many of these party-lists are allied or even directly funded by the administration? There are even reports that some party-lists are being utilized by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), serving as mouthpieces for the military in the regions and provinces where they are campaigning," he said.

Beltran cited an AFP operations report titled SPECIAL SOT PROJECT: COUNTER PARTY-LIST AT THE BARANGAY COUNCIL (12 MONTHS IMPLEMENTATION) "Developing A Better Community Leadership To Address The Grassroot Problems At The Barangay Level" -AFP Onward To Political Warfare Arena(LTC Yogyog-NIWG1). In it, it was was stated that when linked nationwide, 'AFP friendly Party-Lists like the ANAD, VFP & AKAP will have better chances to win a seat in Congress to work for the benefits of the security sector and their dependents."

"It's also most unfortunate that there are party-lists who allow themselves to be used by Malacanang and support its programs and policies regardless of how these same policies go against the welfare and interest of their respective constituencies," he said. "Party-lists should instead unite to push for the passage and legislation of measures that will give higher wages, job security and wider access to social services for the marginalized sectors, as well as measures that protect the civil, democratic and human rights of the poorer sections of society. These are the very same measures that Malacanang will not allow to be passed into law."#

Wednesday February 14, 2007

Anakpawis lawmakers score Speaker de Venecia for allowing recall of P125 wage hike bill on Malacanang's orders; duplicity in letting DOJ and PNP arrest, detain and charge Ka Bel

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today scored Speaker Jose de Venecia for his 'betrayal of Filipino workers' after de Venecia and other Malacanang allies recalled HB 345 or the measure legislating a P125 across-the-board wage increase for workers nations. Beltran said that de Venecia clearly acted on Malacanang's bidding to have the bill recalled after it was passed during its third and final reading last December before Congress when into recess for the Christmas holidays.

"As House Speaker, de Venecia had the responsibility to stand up in defense of the HB 345, but instead of transmitting it to congress, he allowed for the measure to be recalled and essentially killed. Workers and other concerned sectors have been lobbying and campaigning for HB 345 and its predecessor in the 12th congress since 1999. De Venecia has been House Speaker for two consecutive terms, but he has consistently discouraged the measure's passage. Now, on Malacanang's orders, he allowed the bill to be recalled and once more relegated to the House archives. For this, de Venecia should be ashamed," he said.

In the meantime, fellow Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano also criticized de Venecia for his duplicity in working with the Department of Justice and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in keeping Rep. Beltran incarcerated.

Beltran was arrested almost a year ago on February 25 and his rights as a lawmaker were not respected.

"Speaker de Venecia should have stood up to defend Ka Bel and insist on his parliamentary immunity, but what he did was allow the DOJ and the PNP to continue their persecution and prosecution of Ka Bel. We will not forget de Venecia's deafening silence on this issue of Ka Bel's illegal arrest and continuing incarceration. Clearly, he also acted on Malacanang's orders to allow Ka Bel's arrest and detention, as well as the harassment against the other progressive lawmakers of Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party," Mariano said.

"Speaker de Venecia did not lift a finger much less issue a single statement to condemn Ka Bel's arrest. Neither did he take action on the constant and consistent calls from other lawmakers that the House leadership take Ka Bel under protective custody and give him sanctuary. Through his silence and inaction, he allowed the DOJ and the PNP to arrest, detain and charge Ka Bel despite the fact that congress was in session at the time of the arrest, and that the testimonies are false and fabricated," he concluded.#

Anakpawis Party-list joins Election Season Opening Salvo of bloc of progressive party-lists; denounces harassment of SWAT elements

Tuesday February 13, 2007

Anakpawis Party-list joins Election Season Opening Salvo of bloc of progressive party-lists; denounces harassment of SWAT elements

Anakpawis Party-List today joined its sister progressive party-lists in an all-day Election Season Opening Salvo series of activities all over the Metro Manila and Quezon City. Members, leaders and supporters of the progressive party-lists held a Manila and Quezon City-wide caravan and went to the big market places such as Quiapo and Divisoria to distribute campaign leaflets.

Earlier this morning, however, the campaign convoy was blocked by elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and SWAT as the convoy neared Malacanang in Nagtahan bridge.

Ankpawis Representative and second nominee Rafael Mariano said that the convoy was on the move and they were not blocking traffic. "It was harassment. On the first day of the election season which the Arroyo administration keeps lauding as an exercise of democratic rights, the progressive party-lists were subjected to harassment and being prohibited from campaigning," he said.

The progressive party-list boasts of 400,000 ID-bearing members all over the country and seeks to secure three seats in May. Anakpawis is the party-list established jointly by the Kilusang Mayo (KMU), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, (KMP), Amihan, Pamalakaya, PISTON and KADAMAY (Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap). Anakpawis aims to get at least one million votes in the elections barring massive electoral fraud.

Anakpawis leaders negotiated with the SWAT team and insisted on their right to proceed. "We were not holding a rally, and even if we were, the SWAT does not have a right to block our way. On the very first day of the campaign season, we have already proven that there is a government-directive to harass the progressive party-lists and throw monkey wrenches in our activities," he said.

Another Anakpawis nominee for congress Ferdinand Gaite of the Confederation for the Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) said that for all the declarations of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration that it will respect the elections as a democratic exercise, "It's clear that the progressive party-lists' participation in the polls is not covered by this supposed guarantee. "

"Even as Anakpawis and its sister party-lists continue to promote an electoral and legislative agenda that aims to uphold the rights and welfare of the poor and working people, we also remain watchful against physical attacks against our ranks. Malacanang's henchmen led by National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales and justice secretary Raul Gonzalez have made it clear that the Arroyo government will do its best to undermine our chances to secure more seats in Congress," he said.

Gaite said that as the Anakpawis nominee representing government employees, he is urging government employees to vote against the more hardcore senate nominees of the Arroyo administration and instead support nominees who support the campaign against Macapagal-Arroyo's deep-seated corruption, electoral fraud, vicious clampdown on civil rights and massive human rights violations. Gaite stands as the president of COURAGE, the biggest alliance of government employees' associations and unions all over the country.

"Even as government employees are prohibited from participating in election campaigns, they still have a very important role in shaping the results of the elections. They know first-hand how the bureaucracy is being twisted to not serve the interest of ordinary Filipinos, but towards enriching the pockets of the corrupt and powerful in government and their partners in big business. Anakpawis part-list enjoin public sector employees to help expose and corruption in government and vote for candidates with a genuine pro-poor, pro-people platform," he concluded.#

Nothing wrong with an agenda aiming for Macapagal-Arroyo's impeachment and removal from office; GMA's removal from office to benefit campaign...

Tuesday February 13, 2007

Nothing wrong with an agenda aiming for Macapagal-Arroyo's impeachment and removal from office; GMA's removal from office to benefit campaign for clean governance

Anakpawis Representative and first nominee Crispin Beltran today said that the candidates running under the banner of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo can be said to have one main agenda: to keep Arroyo in office despite the strong and justified calls for her resignation because of deep-seated corruption, massive human rights violations and failure to implement economic measures that will improve the lives and welfare of the poor and exploited majority of Filipinos.

"Malacanang's candidates are saying that the Opposition's main agenda is to have Pres. Arroyo impeached. If that's the case, then the main agenda and platform of Pres. Arroyo's slate is to protect her and ensure that she remains in power until 2010 and even beyond," Beltran pointed out. "They aim to protect Arroyo and maintain the corrupt government she leads and maintains, the administration hounded by anomalies and controversies."

"What are the Arroyo candidates' stand on important issues such as the P125 wage hike for workers and P3,000 salary increase for government employees? On continued US military presence in the country and the US' interference in the country's politics and economy? On the extra-judicial killings? These are issues that Macapagal-Arroyo has ignored and dismissed, we expect her anointed ones to do the same and for this the public should not support their candidacies."

"There's nothing wrong with a platform of opposition to the Macapagal-Arroyo presidency. Having Arroyo impeached and removed from office will make it possible for the country to move forward, instead of being stuck in this rut of economic ruin and political degeneracy," he said. "Malacanang has handpicked its candidates not on the basis of their respective platforms, but primarily on the basis that they do not pose a threat to Macapagal-Arroyo's office. In the weeks leading to the finalization of Malacanang's slate, Pres. Arroyo and her handlers' panic were palpable: they were essentially forced to pick the leavings of the opposition which, in contrast, had no trouble finalizing its slate."

"Malacanang will now embark on an electoral campaign dodging unsettled and unresolved issues and controversies. Unable to answer the accusations directed against Pres. Arroyo, Malacanang's candidates will look highly defensive all throughout the campaign. Clearly, they will try to make the elections more of a popularity contest to try and deflect the public's attention from Arroyo's record and the issues of corruption and illegitimacy that continue to hound her presidency," Beltran said.

Beltran said that Macapagal-Arroyo's candidates for the senate are all in denial regarding the true state of the nation. "How else can they have chosen to side with Arroyo?"

The activist lawmaker and political detainee said that the candidates of the opposition can and will win the elections on the basis of their denunciation of Macapagal-Arroyo's programs and policies. "The opposite of what Gloria wants and what she's doing – this is what voters will support. Arroyo's anointed ones will only be serving as her errand boys and girls in the senate and in congress, and Arroyo will never be made to account for all the crimes she has committed in office, including the increasing militarization of the bureaucracy, the crackdown on civil liberties and democratic rights, and abetting the illegal, money-making rackets of the members of her family," he said. #