Anakpawis News Releases

Mandatory cellphone registration appears like a income generating racket for the NTC

2007-06-12T19:06:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Mandatory cellphone registration appears like a income generating racket for the NTC

Detained Anakpawis lawmaker Crispin Beltran today expressed opposition to the move of the National Telecommunications Commission to require all cellular phone manufacturers, dealers and users to register their units and pay P150 for every phone registered.

Beltran said that the NTC's justification that the registering the cell phones would help put an end to problems such as smuggling, terrorism, theft and text spamming attributed to mobile-phone use sounded all well and good on paper, "But in reality registering cellphone units will not do anything given the low level of technology the country has. It's doubtful that cellphone registration will help curb crime, for instance, cellphone theft and the sale of stolen units," he said.

"So far the NTC has done a poor job of regulating the telecoms industry and the major telecoms company and their excessive profiteering schemes . The NTC should instead focus on measures to bring down the costs of cellular phone services and the abuses of the telecom firms. Also, why charge cellphone distributors and users for the registration? If there are over 40 million cellphone users in the country, requiring them to pay P150 each will rake in a pretty hefty sum for the NTC. This latest scheme sounds suspiciously like a major racket aimed at generating funds for the commission"

"Cellphones are not deadly weapons like guns that need to be registered; but if the NTC is saying that cellphones can be used in the conduct of crimes, then it is up to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to investigate these crimes and go after the perpetrators. The NTC appears to be going beyond the scope of its powers, but without really performing its main task of protecting cellphone users from telcom's excessive fees and charges , fraudulent ads that are circulated through texting, and cellphone scams."

"There is also the possibility that the privacy of cellphone users will be violated or threatened by the mandatory registration. The NTC should not implement or impose this mandatory registration scheme without consultations from consumers rights' groups and their legal counsels.

Beltran said that Anakpawis will file resolution in congress calling for an inquiry into the limits of the NTC's authority and its right to charge cellphone users any amount for any kind of registration, and where the NTC intends to use the money it intends to charge.#

No one is biting GMA's calls for peace, reconciliation or economic freedom as HR situation worsens, charges of corruption remain unresolved

2007-06-12T19:04:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

No one is biting GMA's calls for peace, reconciliation or economic freedom as HR situation worsens, charges of corruption remain unresolved

Detained Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran today said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's continued prayers for peace and reconciliation in the country for hypocritical considering that she continues to allow the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to conduct its campaign of extrajudicial killings and abductions against political activists, human rights workers and journalists. He also said that the economic freedom that she is aiming is for is merely an illusion "Because her government is determined to impose full economic liberalization and privatization, which ensure that the country remains a slave to foreign business and their finance agencies."

Beltran said that no one is responding positively to Pres. Arroyo's calls for reconciliation because it was not clear what the opposing political forces in the country are being asked to reconcile over.

"The country is certainly not moving forward despite the assertions of the president. The massive number of unresolved corruption scandals and political controversies involving the presidency have not been resolved. The economy is far from being self-reliant and continues to depend on foreign investments, loans and OFW remittances instead of strong industries and self-sustaining manufacturing."

"Pres. Arroyo cannot be that naïve to believe that by extending an olive branch of peace, there will be actual peace. None of the charges of corruption, political repression and human rights violations leveled against her government have been directly and concretely addressed, and Pres. Arroyo herself has done nothing but lie to the international community that she is doing something in response to these issues."

"He allies in the House of Representative led by Jose de Venecia are still hell-bent on amending the country's charter despite the overwhelming tide of public opinion against it. Pres. Arroyo, by her silence on this divisive matter, has been essentially supportive of charter change because it buys more time for her and her unpopular governance," he said.

Beltran also said that since GMA and JDV and their allies insist on calling for charter change, so will the broad alliance of anti-Arroyo and anti-charter changes forces be determined to fight the scheme tooth and nail.

In the meantime, Beltran said that contrary to Pres. Arroyo's hopes, the 14th Congress will be an even greater battleground as various anti-Arroyo forces, progressive and cause oriented groups gear for coordinated campaigns to call for the repeal of the Human Security Act (HSA) or the anti-terrorism law which, Beltran said, gives the government the legal ground to perpetrate even more civil and human rights abuses against its critics and political opponents.

"The AFP and its mercenary groups, the National Security Council and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are straining at the leash wield the HSA as a lethal weapon to curb righteous political dissent. With only a month to go before the HSA takes effect, civil libertarians, human rights advocates and defenders of press freedom are already gearing for coordinated efforts to stop the HSA on its tracks and have the Supreme Court declare it void," he said,. #

Salute the flag, but there is no national independence to speak of or celebrate tomorrow, June 12; Proclaim Pimentel, Trillanes

2007-06-11T21:47:00.000-07:00

Monday, June 11, 2007

Salute the flag, but there is no national independence to speak of or celebrate tomorrow, June 12

Detained lawmaker Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran today said that celebrating Independence Day in the Philippines tomorrow, June 12, was a farce. He said that the country has yet to gain genuine economic, political and cultural independence from foreign interference and intervention.

"The massive display of the national flag all over the country is well and good, but it should be made clear that there is no national independence to celebrate. Gazing at the flag and giving tribute to what it stands for should be taken in the context of the Filipino people's continuing struggle against economic and political oppression. Under the Macapagal-Arroyo presidency, the Philippines has become even more of a neo-colony of the United States, a drummer boy for the US' anti-terrorism campaign in the Asia-Pacific," he said. "The country remains dependent on foreign aid, with no self-sustaining, self-reliant national industries or finance and trade systems. "

He said that many of the laws and resolutions prioritized by Malacanang and railroaded by its allies is congress were dictates of foreign multilateral finance agencies among them the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as conditions before they grant aid to the Philippines. "These laws favor foreign investors in the Philippines while sacrifice the welfare of local manufacturing companies and firms, and inevitably, Filipino workers and consumers and the general national interest," he said.

"In the meantime, Human rights and civil liberties are under severe attack, and with the pending implementation of the Human Security Act in July following the dictates of the United States government, these attacks will further escalate. We have no genuinely independent government and we don't have a government that recognizes much less respects human and civil rights of its constituents," he said.

Beltran said that the approval of the Human Security Act was one of the dictates coming from the White House, 'a conditionality before the US proceeds to give more economic and military aid to the Philippines. The HSA will exacerbate the already serious situation of civil rights in the country.

Proclaim Pimentel, Trillanes

In the meantime, the veteran labor leader turned lawmaker continued to rue the Commission on Election's slowness in finalizing the winners of the senatorial polls, saying that Genuine Opposition candidates Aquilino Pimentel III and Antonio Trillanes clearly have the edge over Team Unity candidate Miguel Zubiri.

"The Comelec is only postponing the inevitable, which is the poll victories of Trillanes and Pimentel, both vocal critics of the administration and untainted by corruption. The delay in Trillanes' proclamation is clearly the doing of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) , specially the leadership led by AFP chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon. Trillanes' victory is a slap in Esperon's face and his assertions that the rank and file of the AFP or the general voting public do not support the young firebrand and his advocacy against the corruption in the AFP and the executive. "

"As for Pimentel, he should also already be a declared a winner because of his substantial lead over Zubiri. The votes coming from Maguindanao are tainted with fraud and should no longer be taken into account. Zubiri should take the cue from his Mike Defensor and their other teammates from Team Unity and concede defeat," he said. #

US Church and Labor Leaders to Pres. Arroyo: "Stop the Killings and Release Rep. Crispin Beltran Now!"

2007-06-11T21:44:00.000-07:00

Monday, June 11, 2007

US Church and Labor Leaders to Pres. Arroyo: "Stop the Killings and Release Rep. Crispin Beltran Now!"

Seattle, The Philippines News Today, a local newspaper in the cities of San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver, Canada will release a full page Ad of American and Filipino progressive organizations and individuals calling among other things, an end to political killings in the Philippine and the immediate release of detained Congressman and labor leader Crispin Beltran and all political prisoners.

The Supreme Court of the Philippines recently dismissed trumped up case against six Congress leaders including Beltran.

Another local newspaper, Diaryo Pilipino, based in Southern California issued the same statement a month ago. Both newspapers have combined circulation of 60,000 that target to reach the majority of Filipinos living in the West Coast of North America.

In the meantime, the Rev. David Bloom, Director Emeritus of the Rauschenbusch Center for Spirit and Action wrote a letter to six Philippine Consul Generals in the US requesting that the Statement of Concern be presented to President Gloria Arroyo for urgent action.

To quote Bloom: "The recent political killings of some 840 ordinary citizens of the Philippines whose only "crimes" have been their desire for peace and social justice in their homeland is a disturbing reminder that once again people in the Philippines are under threat simply for their support for a strong democratic society."

Bloom said that The Philippine Daily Inquirer, refused to publish the statement on the grounds of "being unacceptable and unsubstantiated." Next to Iraq, the Philippines was tagged as the most dangerous place for journalists

Pres. Arroyo in her latest visit in New Zealand for an inter-faith meeting has been highly criticized for the continuing political violence inflicted upon social activists by "death squads" affiliated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines of which Arroyo is the Commander-in-Chief.

The Philippine National Police recently abducted another pastor from the United Church of Christ Philippines, Rev. Berlin Guerrero.

Ka Bel shows his lighter side, pokes fun at his detractors as he guests on Tutoo TV show airing 7pm airing tonight at ABC 5

2007-06-11T21:43:00.000-07:00

Monday, June 11, 2007

Ka Bel shows his lighter side, pokes fun at his detractors as he guests on Tutoo TV show airing 7pm airing tonight at ABC 5

Detained lawmaker Anakapawis Rep. Crispin Beltran shows his funny, irreverent and less serious side as he is interviewed with the dynamic duo of character comics Ariel and Maverick in their show 'Tutoo TV' tonight at 7PM, over at ABC Channel 5. Ka Bel pokes fun at Malacanang, the Department of Justice, and insists that one needs a sense of humor to resist going crazy over the lies of the government about the economy, the political situation, and the country's prospects for over-all recovery.

"This was the first time that I was subjected to over an hour of the silliest questions, but with serious undertones," he said. "Minsan talaga, matatawa ka na lang sa mga kaguluhan sa bansa at sa mga sinasabi ng gobyerno para belwalain ang kaguluhan. It helps to have a sense of humor to survive in this country. Speaking from personal experience, if I didn't have a sense of humor, I would have extreme difficulty surviving this injustice I continue to be experience. Fifteen months later and after the Supreme Court's declaration that I am innocent of the charges of rebellion, I'm still detained," he said.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) also recently released a statement expressing alarm over the solon's continuing detention. "The IPU has expressed deep concern at the charges held against him and has called for his release. Following a mission of the IPU and its Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians to Manila in April this year, the Government stated publicly that it would no longer oppose Mr. Beltran's release," the statement read.

Ariel and Maverick breezily made their way into the Philippine Heart Center and taped their interview with the detained lawmaker despite the nearby presence of members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). They ambushed Rep. Beltran after the latter exited the bathroom.

Besides asking Rep. Beltran the 'serious journalistic questions' of how Ka Bel is able to ward off the 'hordes of female doctors and nurses' who are supposedly desperate to 'get to know him,' and whether or not Ka Bel ever visits the 'Pegasus Club in Quezon Avenue where they hear many other congressmen conduct their midnight sessions,' Ariel and Maverick inquired into Rep. Beltran's medical bills and how he feels about his 15-months and counting incarceration.

The interview continued well into the afternoon as Rep. Beltran left his detention hospital room to proceed to the House of Representatives session hall where Ariel and Maverick also interviewed Beltran's colleagues, members of the security staff, and his doctor from the PHC. Afterwards they all went to visit Rep. Beltran's office at the 6th floor South Wing of the Batasan Complex. It was the first time that Beltran was able to set foot into his own congressional office since he was arrested in rebellion charges on February 25, 2006. There Ariel and Maverick asked him questions about how he spent his childhood, his early adulthood, and how he became involved in the labor movement and how he eventually became a congressman and consequently a political detainee under the Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

"The Macapagal-Arroyo government's stance on civil and human rights is hypocritical. Pres. Arroyo herself even had the gall to lie to the Pope on her recent trip to Rome, telling the pontiff that her government is doing it's best to put an end to the extrajudicial killings. Swerte niya at hindi siya tinamaan ng kidlat sa kanyang lantarang pagsisinungaling," he said.

To relax and unwind after the entire afternoon's grueling session of questions and answers, Rep. Beltran, Ariel and Maverick donned boxing gloves. The veteran labor leader gave an impromptu boxing lesson, and, when asked, demonstrated what punches he would deliver if placed in a boxing ring with Department of Justice Raul Gonzalez and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales.

Ariel and Maverick also achieved to convince Rep. Beltran to do something unprecedented: sing in public. Ka Bel sang at least six lines of 'Sumulong Ka, Anakpawis.'

As of this writing, Rep. Beltran and his lawyers led by Atty. Romeo Capulong are waiting for the Supreme Court's response to their petition calling on the High Court to make its decision junking the rebellion charges against the Batasan 6 final and executory.

Beltran's daughter Ofelia Beltran-Balleta said that their family is only waiting for the SC to finalize the decision and order the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 to release Rep. Beltran before they file the charges against the DOJ et al for malicious prosecution and consequent damages. #

Beltran lauds Chief Justice Puno's stand for civil liberties; calls the SC a potentially strong ally in the fight against the Human Security Act...

2007-06-07T21:27:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Beltran lauds Chief Justice Puno's stand for civil liberties; calls the SC a potentially strong ally in the fight against the Human Security Act, Malacanang gag orders

Detained Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran lauded the declaration of Chief Justice Reynato Puno that the Supreme Court will use its power to protect civil liberties. He said that the Chief Justice has already begun doing so when the SC junked the rebellion charges against the Batasan 6. Beltran expressed hope that given CJ Puno's vow, the SC will also immediately make this decision final and executory and allow his (Beltran's) release from detention at the soonest possible time, even as the office of the solicitor general files an appeal.

Beltran's lawyers yesterday filed a motion at the High Court appealing for their client's immediate release.

Beltran said that the continuing political persecution of the lawmakers, officials and members of the progressive party-lists and militant people's organizations were serious attacks against human rights and civil liberties. He said that thankfully, the SC has recently been vocal on the matter through CJ Puno's declarations and public statements.

"The SC under CJ Puno can prove to be a formidable ally in the fight for justice against the executive and the Armed Forces of the Philippines' worsening attacks against civil liberties and democratic rights of ordinary Filipinos. Malacanang has given nothing but milk and water pronouncements that it is doing its best to curb the politically-motivated violence against human rights activists and members of the progressive party-lists. We hope that the SC will issue more forceful statements backed by the law and more importantly, lay down rulings that will Malacanang and the AFP in their place," he said.

He sought the Supreme Court's intervention on the issue of extra-judicial killings and Pres. Arroyo refusal to hold the AFP and the military institution accountable for them. He also said that the High Court will also soon facing a challenge as civil libertarians and human rights groups escalate protests against the Human Security Act or the anti-terrorism law will be effective beginning July.

"The HSA is so far the biggest and most comprehensive threat against the already battered civil and human rights of Filipinos. We look up to Chief Justice Puno's leadership when it comes to questioning and opposing this lawand preventing its abusive implementation," he said.

In the meantime, Beltran also said that CJ Puno would do well to look into the latest tactic of Malacanang to circumvent the law by issuing Memorandum Circular 108 which requires both the Senate and the House of Representatives to provide the Palace before hand the list of questions they will ask cabinet officials and other personnel.

"Malacanang circumvented the SC's decision on the gag order Executive Order 464 which had the same intent as MC 108. The High Court declared EO 464 unconstitutional when the senate challenged this presidential ban. It's clear that Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo is highly apprehensive – and rightly so – about the incoming senate which is dominated by the opposition. Pres. Arroyo and her handlers are desperately trying to stonewall and establish protective measures to secure themselves and all confidential staff and cabinet officials from being exposed in congressional investigations," he said.

"If the Macapagal-Arroyo government truly has nothing to hide, it should have nothing to fear from any senate-initiate investigation. Government officials should not fear public and administrative accountability if they were not dabbling in corruption or committing violations of the civil service code."

"Executive secretary Eduardo Ermita is trying to justify this latest gag order memorandum by citing nationals security, but in fact it's not the nation's security that Malacanang aims to protect, it's the president's precarious political standing," he said. #

Beltran to file motion appealing to the Supreme Court to make its dismissal decision on Batasan 6 final and executory; slams Comelec's plan...

2007-06-05T21:16:00.000-07:00

Tuesday June 5, 2007

Beltran to file motion appealing to the Supreme Court to make its dismissal decision on Batasan 6 final and executory; slams Comelec's plan to implement First Party Rule

Detained lawmaker Anakpawis Crispin Beltran today said that his attorneys Romeo Capulong and Rachel Pastores of the Public Interest Law Center (PILC) will file a motion at the Supreme Court appealing to the High Court to make its decision on the dismissal of rebellion charges on the Batasan 6 final and executory.

Beltran is appealing to the Supreme Court that it immediately order the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 under Judge Elmo Alameda to expedite the implementation of the SC's ruling that the rebellion charges against Beltran be dismissed and allow his complete release. Beltran's lawyers have said that they will not wait for the DOJ and the Solgen office to file its appeal and instead petition the Supreme Court to make its decision final and executory.

"I know that the Department of Justice under Sec. Raul Gonzalez and Solicitor-general Agnes Devanadera are seeking an appeal and prevent my release from police custody. Be that as it may, I am seeking the Supreme Court's favor and order my release even as the Solo-gen's appeal has yet to be finalized, submitted or deliberated upon. All that remains is for the MRTC Branch 150 is to act on an order from the SC. It's my hope that the High Court will dismiss the Solgen's appeal," he said.

"The Solgen and the DOJ can file all the appeals that they want and we will not back down with a counterpart legal offensive. I have no doubt that we will come out victorious because truth is on our side – we do not have to resort to underhanded tactics, fake testimonies, and political persecution to achieve our ends. What the DOJ is doing is malicious prosecution; abusing its authority as a government institution to prosecute legitimate opposition."

"I hope to regain my full and complete freedom at the soonest possible time."

Beltran has been allowed by the MRTC to perform his duties as a lawmaker and attend the closing session of the 13th Congress, from June 4 to 6, and to participate in the House of Representative's Centennial celebrations on June 7.

On his second day of temporary freedom after 15 months of incarceration, Beltran said that there was evidence that the Macapagal-Arroyo government was determined to gradually do away with the party-list system because it has become a valuable venue for progressive organizations to ventilate their issues and further their activist advocacies. He said that the First Party Rule that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is threatening to implement actually targets the progressive party-lists led by Bayan Muna which have been participating in the polls since 2001.

"The Comelec has long been tampering with the party-list system and the rules governing it not with the intent to strengthen it, but to weaken it. What has been originally conceptualized as an electoral avenue wherein marginalized sectors and underrepresented sections of society can maximize so they can enact progressive changes among their ranks has been bastardized and manipulated. The Comelec should cease and desist from these efforts and once and for all dismiss the Panganiban formula not only as faulty, but patently unjust. It undermines the interests of the genuine party-list groups who carry true pro-poor advocacies," he said. #

Norberto Gonzales, champion liar, is also sore loser; Macapagal-Arroyo must not be allowed to get away with its attacks against us

2007-06-04T22:20:00.000-07:00

Monday June 4, 2007

Norberto Gonzales, champion liar, is also sore loser; Macapagal-Arroyo must not be allowed to get away with its attacks against us, our members and our party-lists – Beltran

Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran today slammed National Security Adviser (NSA) Norberto Gonzales for calling him and the other progressive lawmakers collectively known as the Batasan 5 'liars now in celebration.'"

"Gonzales is the liar – he's one of the champion liars the Macapagal-Arroyo administration ever had. His allegations and accusations against us and our party-lists are all patent untruths. He has been rendered incapable of speaking the truth and consistently resorts to exagerration and twisting facts in his desperation to pin us down. His tag that we are fronts for the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) did not stick; and the rebellion charges he machinated along with with Department of Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez were thrown out by the Supreme Court. Now he's crying out like the sore loser that he is," said Beltran.

"Gonzales probably expected us to withdraw our criticism of him and the Department of Justice after the Supreme Court laid down its decision junking the rebellion charges against us. He thought wrong, and now he is angry and bitter and trying to deprive us of our right to celebrate because we continue to overcome tremendous obstacles while securing the support of Filipino voters.."

"We are targets of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration's political annihilation campaign, and Gonzales and Gonzalez are the two masterminds behind it. We have done nothing illegal in furthering our advocacies for progressive and pro-people politics; but the Arroyo administration particularly its henchmen the likes of Gonzales have attacked our ranks and leadership through abductions, extrajudicial killings, and the filing of various criminal charges. "

"We have the legal and moral ascendancy to demand justice against the Macapagal-Arroyo government's illegal, underhanded attacks against our persons and our organizations. The govenrment is not infallible, and despite what Sergio Apostol says, we have a strong case against the government and its shocking abuse of authority. The government must not be allowed to get away with what it has done to us, our members and our party-lists."

In the meantime, Beltran clarified reports that he will be unable to pay for his bills at the Philippine Heart Center. He said that it was now only a matter of time before he is released; "barring more of the DOJ and the NSA's dirty tricks and legal technicalities."

"There will be no problem covering my bills at the PHC. Support continues to pour in in the form of financial aid, guarantee letters from supportive government officials and allied politicians, and the funds of the Free Ka Bel Movement, " he said. "I also seek to clarify that any assistance to be offered by the House of Representatives and my colleagues there are much welcome. I am as I have always been, grateful for any show of support given me by my friends and colleagues in the legislative branch."

"The hospital bills are the least of my worries right now. What is imperative that the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 expedite the decision of the Supreme Court and sign my release papers and grant me my freedom from the custody of the Philippine National Police ((PNP)." #

Makati Court allows Ka Bel to attend last session days of 13th Congress

2007-06-04T22:13:00.000-07:00

Monday June 4, 2007

Makati Court allows Ka Bel to attend last session days of 13th Congress

Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda granted Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran's motion for temporary release so he (Beltran) can attend the final closing session of the 13th Congress from June 4 to June 7, 2007. The said motion was filed by Beltran's lwayers Atty. Romeo Capulong and Atty. Rachel Pastores Wednesday last week.

Judge Alameda granted the said motion even as he is yet to execute the decision laid down by the Supreme Court junking the Department of Justice's charges of rebellion against Beltran.

As of this writing, Anakpawis Party-List, the Free Ka Bel Movement, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and other supporters are proceeding to the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame to deliver the temporary release papers.

Rep. Beltran has been allowed to go to attend the sessions at the House of Representatives from 3pm-7pm everday beginning today, June 4, 2007, up to June 7.

Beltran expressed gratitude for the decision and said that he is hopeful that the Matai RTC will also immediately act on the Supreme Court's decision as soon as the SC makes it final and executory.

He will deliver a privileged speech at the House of Representatives this afternoon with focus on his 15 months in incareceration and his continuing appeal for congress to approve HB 345 or the bill legislating a P125 across-the-board wage increase nationwide for all workers.

"I am thankful to the Makati RTC for giving me leave to attend the final session days of the 13th congress. I will use the next three days to thank all my colleagues who supported me throughout my incarceration, and to continue to seek their support for the campaign against the worsening human and civil rights situation in the country,' he said. #

It's Malacanang and the DOJ who flaunted criminal law and procedure when it went after the Batasan 6 and had me arrested on false charges...

2007-06-03T07:15:00.000-07:00

Sunday June 3, 2007

To the Solgen: It's Malacanang and the DOJ who flaunted criminal law and procedure when it went after the Batasan 6 and had me arrested on false charges and a lapsed warrant – Ka Bel

Detained lawmaker Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran today chided Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera for saying that the Supreme Court decision junking the rebellion charges against progressive party-list lawmakers will have adverse circumstances on the criminal justice system.

"Sol.Gen. Devanadera has been giving my attorneys the run-around ever since Malacanang announced a month ago that it will not contest any motion for my release. Now, all of sudden, she's visible again and in fighting form; only she's out to defend the government's immoral, illegal and unjust right to prosecute and incarcerate the innocent. SolGen. Devanedera should refrain from sounding high and mighty as if she's genuinely defending the criminal justice system. By contesting the Supreme Court decision that declared us the victims of the government's campaign of political persecution, she is actually being a party to the potential imposition of more injustice and political repression," he said.

"It is the Department of Justice and Malacanang itself who flaunted criminal law and procedure out the window when they went after us February 2006 and had me arrested and detained on the strength of a two-decade old warrant and bogus testimonies. Sol. Gen. Devanadera is barking up the wrong tree when she accuses the SC on this issue," he added.

Beltran has been detained for 15 months, 12 months of which he spent at the Philippine Heart Center under close guard by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). The first three months he was detained in a cramped cell in Cam Crame.

"I have been denied my rights as an elected lawmaker, and a Filipino citizen when I was arrested on a lapsed warrant. My detention also denied the constituents of my party-list Anakpawis of one sectoral representative. My family suffered throughout these ordeal. The Supreme Court's decision was an affirmation of what I have been insisting all along – my innocence of all charges. The government machinated to have me arrested and detained to cripple our pro-poor advocacy and legislative work that just so happened to go against that of the corrupt and illegitimate Macapagal-Arroyo administration," he said.

"I demand immediate justice for myself, my party-list and all the Filipinos who have supported me throughout this 15 month ordeal. We have worked long and hard to press for my release, and the Arroyo government can not deny that it sustained countless blows from the local civil and human rights advocates as well as the international community who also continue to call for my freedom. The SC decision was fair and objective, and Sol.Gen. Devanadera and Malacanang through the DOJ's plan to appeal should be immediately nipped in the bud. They are risking even greater public and international outrage," he said.

Anakpawis, the Free Ka Bel Movement, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and sister party-lists Bayan Muna, Gabriela Women's Party, Kabataan Party and Suara Bangsa Moro will be holding a mass action in front of the Makati Regional Trial Court offices tomorrow, June 4, 2007 at 9:30 am and there wait for the court to assign the documents finalizing the dismissal of rebellion charges against Ka Bel. Anakpawis leaders also said that there will be protests against the DOJ and the Devanadera's office if they persist with their intent to file an appeal to the decision.#

Contest for 14th Congress House Speakership a charade to benefit Malacanang and protect GMA from impeachment

2007-06-01T07:22:00.000-07:00

Friday, June 1, 2007

Contest for 14th Congress House Speakership a charade to benefit Malacanang and protect GMA from impeachment

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that it should not be allowed that a pro-Arroyo congressman become the leader of the Minority bloc in the House of Representatives. He said that the supposed contest for the House Speakerhip was mostly a charade that inevitably benefits Malacanang.

Beltran said that even as Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia proclaims himself as the opposite of incumbent House Speaker Hose de Venecia, "The fact that they're both administration allies means that they're essentially the same. Rep. Garcia is not the sort who will be able to dislodge de Venecia from the House Speakership, and there are already widespread speculations that his (Garcia's) plans to run against JDV in the 14th Congress speakership race is nothing but a ploy for Arroyo allies to also take the leadership over the House Minority bloc," he said.

"There's no contest – so long as JDV is a congressman, he will always be House Speaker. His political allies including Malacanang have made sure of that. The issue now is the leadership of the Minority bloc; Arroyo allies are also trying to coopt it and ensure that there is no genuine opposition in the House of Representatives. Need it be said that all this is in aid of efforts to kill any and all impeachment attempts against Pres. Arroyo?"

"Pablo Garcia is the head of a clan that's been most loyal to Malacanang. His own children have been known to bend over backwards to accommodate all the wishes and demands of Malacanang," he said, referring to Garcia's daughter Cebu. Gov. Gwendoloyn and son Winston, president of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). "We don't expect any different from Rep. Garcia. He's a loyal Macapagal-Arroyo ally, and that makes him the same as de Venecia. It's like Pepsi being compared to Coke: they're both cola," he said.

The activist lawmaker said that it's imperative to strengthen the unity and collective voice of the House Minority. "It's evident that Pres. Arroyo's allies in the House will be more bullying than ever to compensate for the weakness the administration has when it comes to the Senate. Malacanang and its allies will be even more abusive of their influence in congress and fast-track more of Malacanang's priority legislative measures. All this will be for naught, however, given that the incoming Senate is no big supporter of Malacanang and will more than likely block the passage of the more infamous of the administration's priority bills," he concluded. #

Economic improvement pure government spin; OFW remittances and massive election spending behind superficial economic gains

2007-06-01T07:21:00.000-07:00

Friday, June 1, 2007

Economic improvement pure government spin; OFW remittances and massive election spending behind superficial economic gains

Detained lawmaker Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran today said that the Macapagal-Arroyo administration's crowing that the economy is on an upsurge was empty and that whatever improvement in the economic indicators the government has chosen as signs of progress was not reliable.

"This is pure spin, this so-called improvement in the economy. Nothing has changed in the economic lives of Filipinos. Prices of basic commodities and services continue to go up while wages remain pegged to the floor. The improvement Malacanang is crediting itself for creating in the economy is not do to any brilliant economic planning or reforms, but an effect of the almost concluded elections wherein billions were spent by politicians. As for the increased remittances of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWS), surely, Malacanang cannot praise itself for that it's or OFW kababayans who did all the work, no thanks to the Philippine government," he said.

Citing latest studies by the independent think-thank IBON Foundation, Beltran said that there was no noticeable growth in the country's main productive sectors. The growth of the industry sector remained stagnant, remaining at 5.3%, while with manufacturing growth decreased from 5.0% to 4.6%.

"The industries that posted wins are those that were directly utilized in the elections, including paper, printing and publishing. If it weren't an election year these industries would've most likely continued to post losses or at least register slow growth," he said.

Based on IBON' reckoning, manufacturing growth would have been even slower if it were not or the elections. Paper and paper products manufacturing grew by 9.0% this year. Publishing and printing which contracted by 12.8% last year posted an increase of 5.6% this year. Food manufacturing grew 7.7% compared to 5.2% last year. Meanwhile there was only an insignificant increase in agriculture growth to 4.2% from 4.1% last year.

"No secure, stable and long-lasting jobs were created and unemployment and underemployment levels continued to increase. Based on official first quarter employment data, the number of jobless workers grew by 13,000 and reach 2.9 million last January. Underemployment increased by 442,000 to 7.2 million.

"A shocking 10.1 million Filipinos are jobless or otherwise looking for more work as of January 2007. How the Macapagal-Arroyo government can say that the economy is improving is beyond the understanding or ordinary Filipinos who experience no improvement in their economic welfare. The next six months is certain to show an economic slowdown even by government standards as the 'benefits' of the elections season gave particular industries dies down," he said.

"If Filipinos believed that the Arroyo government was doing a good job in turning the national economy around, they would not have junked majority of the Team Unity candidates who all sang praises to the administration's supposed victories in battling poverty and in securing economic gains for the country" he said. #

Beltran lauds SC decision dismissing rebellion charges against Batasan 6; looks forward to freedom

2007-06-01T07:19:00.000-07:00

Friday, June 1, 2007

Beltran lauds SC decision dismissing rebellion charges against Batasan 6; looks forward to freedom

Detained lawmaker Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran lauded the decision of the High Court dismissing the rebellion charges against the progressive lawmakers or the Batasan 6 composed of lawmakers of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party.

The details of the Supreme Court decision has yet to be released, but Beltran said that the dismissal of the rebellion charges were already 'very, very good news.' The decision is most appreciated by Beltran as it stands to have him released from detention. He has been incarcerated for the last 15 months on the charges that he plotted with renegade elements of the military to remove Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo from power.

"I am hoping that with the dismissal of the rebellion charges filed against us February 25 last year, the attacks against the progressive lawmakers will also come to an end. I am looking forward to my release for detention. It's to be hoped that the Supreme Court's decision will not meet any more opposition from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other forces who continue to discredit, criminalize and demonize us," he said.

Beltran said that the Supreme Court's decision should be allowed to take effect at the soonest possible time.

As of this writing, Anakpawis, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and allied groups are preparing for a celebratory picket in front of the Philippine Heart Center where Beltran has been detained since April 2006. He was originally detained at the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNP GH) inside Camp Crame.

The 74 year old veteran labor leader remains as the chairperson and first nominee of Anakpawis Party-List and is set to return for another term in Congress when Anakpawis' victory at the party-list polls is announced. Ref. Rafael Mariano is Anakpawis' second nominiee and stands as party president.

In the meantime, the New Zealand Government has been given an assurance by its Philippines counterpart that Free Ka Bel Movement spokesperson Dennis Maga will not be arrested on his return home.

A spokesperson for New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark told New Zealand media Scoop today that "The Prime Minister is aware of Mr Maga's claims that he believes he is likely to be arrested on his return to the Philippines.

New Zealand's Ambassador to the Philippines sought clarification from senior Philippines' officials and was told there are no charges pending against Mr Maga and no warrant has been issued for his arrest," the Prime Minister's spokesperson said.

Scoop understands a request was issued Friday from the Council of Trade Unions to the Prime Minister Helen Clark's office asking that diplomatic channels be used to seek assertions or clarification from its Philippines counterpart - that Dennis Maga does not face arrest.

Maga, however, has applied to remain in New Zealand for another month while he and his supporters seek assurances he will not face arrest nor death on his return home. Mr Maga had planned to return to the Philippines on June 2.

For the next month, Mr Maga will be a guest of both the National Distribution Union and Unite Union where he will continue to visit work sites, union meetings, and gatherings to educate New Zealanders about human rights abuses in the Philippines. #

Implement SC decision finding no probable cause in rebellion charges against progressive solons - Beltran

2007-06-01T07:17:00.000-07:00

Friday, June 1, 2007

Implement SC decision finding no probable cause in rebellion charges against progressive solons - Beltran

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that the High Court's decision to dismiss the rebellion charges against the prpgressive lawmakers of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Womens Party should be imemdiately implemented. Beltran said that Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez should imediately expedite the decision and order his (Beltran's) release from the custody of the CIDG and the Philippine National Police.

"The Supreme Court has issued a most humane and just decision, and it is my hope that it will be immediately implemented. We hope that none of the concerned parties that filed the charges against us will not foot drag on this matter and take positive response by releasing me from police custody," said Beltran.

"The SC decision is an affirmation of our consistent and just assertions of innocence.Fifteen months is a long time to be detained on false charges and fabricated testimonies. Even one day is too long," he said. "While I thank the Supreme Court justices for this most laudable decision, inevitably I owe my release to the thousands of Filipinos and friends of the Filipino people who have supported me and the campaign for my freedom. It is their continued expressions of unflagging support that have sustained me and my family through this injustice. I am forever in their debt, and I vow to continue the work I was forced to leave behind when I was illegally arrested and detained."

Beltran said that he will not take any time for rest when he is released. "I spent 14 months cooped up in one room; the first two months in Camp Crame, and the rest at the Philippine Heart Center. I have had all the rest I could ever use or need. The weakening of my health and body has been directly related to the stress of being illegally arrested and unjustly detained. I expect to recover my full health as soon as I am outside these walls and free to once more participate in the parliament of the streets and in legislative arena," he said.

The veteran labor leader and activist lawmaker said that as Anakpawis' first nominee in the party-list elections, he will continue to press for the passage of a P125 across-the-board wage increase for workers, a P3,000 across-the-board salary hike for government employees; and press for the an end to the worsening civil, political and human rights situation.

The 74-year old Beltran said that there was still so much to be done. "My second stint as a political detainee has further driven home the realization that there is so much more work to be done by way of bringing genuine peace, justice and progress in the Philippines. I would like to think that somehow my incarceration has further exposed the necessity to assert for human and political rights against the face of intensifying political repression of the government. I am grateful to every single individual who supported my release; but I would still dare to be bold enough to ask for their continuing support when it comes to safeguarding the May 14 elections against fraud and violence," he said.

"I am hoping that with the dismissal of the rebellion charges filed against us February 25 last year, the attacks against the progressive lawmakers will also come to an end. I am looking forward to my release for detention. It's to be hoped that the Supreme Court's decision will not meet any more opposition from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other forces who continue to discredit, criminalize and demonize us," he said.

Beltran said that the Supreme Court's decision should be allowed to take effect at the soonest possible time.

As of this writing, Anakpawis, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and allied groups are preparing for a celebratory picket in front of the Philippine Heart Center where Beltran has been detained since April 2006. He was originally detained at the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNP GH) inside Camp Crame.

The 74 year old veteran labor leader remains as the chairperson and first nominee of Anakpawis Party-List and is set to return for another term in Congress when Anakpawis' victory at the party-list polls is announced. Ref. Rafael Mariano is Anakpawis' second nominiee and stands as party president.

In the meantime, the New Zealand Government has been given an assurance by its Philippines counterpart that Free Ka Bel Movement spokesperson Dennis Maga will not be arrested on his return home.

A spokesperson for New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark told New Zealand media Scoop today that "The Prime Minister is aware of Mr Maga's claims that he believes he is likely to be arrested on his return to the Philippines.

New Zealand's Ambassador to the Philippines sought clarification from senior Philippines' officials and was told there are no charges pending against Mr Maga and no warrant has been issued for his arrest," the Prime Minister's spokesperson said.

Scoop understands a request was issued Friday from the Council of Trade Unions to the Prime Minister Helen Clark's office asking that diplomatic channels be used to seek assertions or clarification from its Philippines counterpart - that Dennis Maga does not face arrest.

Maga, however, has applied to remain in New Zealand for another month while he and his supporters seek assurances he will not face arrest nor death on his return home. Mr Maga had planned to return to the Philippines on June 2.

For the next month, Mr Maga will be a guest of both the National Distribution Union and Unite Union where he will continue to visit work sites, union meetings, and gatherings to educate New Zealanders about human rights abuses in the Philippines. #

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

2007-05-30T17:19:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-30T17:17:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-29T23:33:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-28T17:08:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-28T17:07:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-28T17:06:00.001-07:00

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

2007-05-27T22:18:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-24T21:33:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-23T21:39:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-23T21:38:00.000-07:00

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.#

---

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

2007-05-23T21:36:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-21T01:11:00.000-07:00

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...

2007-05-18T22:50:00.001-07:00

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

2007-05-15T17:30:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-14T20:16:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-11T22:12:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-10T22:14:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2007-05-10T20:17:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-09T22:17:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-09T22:16:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-08T22:20:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-08T22:19:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-08T22:18:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-05T17:18:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-04T17:19:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-03T19:36:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-02T00:58:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-02T00:57:00.001-07:00

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. #

Labor Day 2007: GMA rolling stores poor alternative to announcement of a substantial and across-the-board wage increase

2007-04-30T17:42:00.000-07:00

Monday April 30, 2007

Labor Day 2007: GMA rolling stores poor alternative to announcement of a substantial and across-the-board wage increase

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today anticipated Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Labor Day message and said that the president should not even begin to say that workers' economic woes have lessened in the last year. He said that the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) move to send out GMA rolling stores tomorrow to sell workers and the families basic commodities at cheap prices does not, by far, compensate for the Arroyo government's failure to implement a substantial and across-the-board wage increase for private sector workers.

"Workers will not be forgetting Pres. Arroyo's call to veto the bill legislating a P125 across-the-board wage increase. Workers have not received a genuine wage increase in six years, and even those increases were not across-the-board and many companies did not implement it," he said. The last wage increase was granted by former Pres. Joseph Estrada at P25.50.

Beltran also said that the imposition of the expanded value-added tax that raised the taxes on basic commodities and services by as much as 12 percent also severely cut into the budgets of workers' families and their already meager wages. He said that workers have not tasted the supposed benefits of the EVAT, but their wages have already been many times over cut down in real value because of the depreciation in the peso's exchange value.

"Because of various regressive taxation schemes imposed by the government, workers' take-home pay has been severely reduced. High electricity rates also take a large of their wages – so much for Pres.Arroyo's promise of lower utility costs," he said.

"Workers are forced to continue making sacrifices in the name of the Arroyo administration's fiscal programs, but they receive nothing in return. Wages continue to depreciate because of regressive taxation on goods and services. Workers' job security is also under attack because of the continued trend towards contractualization and other forms of labor flexibility. Workers are also the victims of the government's campaign of extra-judicial killings targeting the progressive party-lists as workers along with farmers and urban comprise the bulk of the party-lists' members and officials, " he said.

The veteran labor leader turned legislator that primary in Anakpawis Party-List's legislative agenda is raising workers' wages as well as the salaries of rank and file government employees. He said that in Anakpawis' miting de avance tomorrow, May 1 International Labor Day, Anakpawis will announce it's continued commitment to raising workers' wages through legislation and not through the Regional Wages and Productivity Boards.

"The Macapagal-Arroyo government's focus when it comes to labor is to send as many Filipinos abroad as OFWs. This is not genuine job creation. Employment continues to drop while more and more of the country's new graduates are forced to leave the country to find employment as low-skilled workers."

"We hope that Pres. Arroyo will not be patting herself on the back for her supposed achievements in improving the lives and welfare of Filipino workers. There is love lost between the Arroyo administration and labor as workers in the militant labor movement stand against the administration's anti-labor policies which in turn spoil and pamper big business and foreign investors," he said. #

Ka Bel hopes to be released tomorrow in time for Tuesday's Anakpawis Miting de Avance

2007-04-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

Sunday April 29, 2007

Ka Bel hopes to be released tomorrow in time for Tuesday's Anakpawis Miting de Avance

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that he is still expecting to be released in time for the May 1st Labor Day celebrations to be spearheaded by the Kilusang Mayo Mayo (KMU) and Anakpawis Party-List. May 1 will also be the miting de avance of Anakpawis which Beltran continues to lead its chairman and first nominee.

"I am still hopeful that I will be able to attend the Labor Day rallies on Tuesday. I hope that the Supreme Court will lay down a decision favoring my immediate release on bail by tomorrow, Monday, April 30. Even it's a photo-finish release, it doesn't matter, so long as I'm released in time for the miting de avance," he said.

The activist lawmaker has been incarcerated on charges of inciting to sedition and rebellion since February 25, 2006. He was detained for two months in Camp Crame before he was transferred to the Philippine Heart Center in April 25, 2006 because of high blood pressure. If he is not released by May 1, it will be the second Llabor Dday rally he would've missed in the last 45 years. He was Kilusang Mayo Uno's founding secretary general when the militant labor group was established in 1980, but has been an active union leader since the 1950s.

Beltran's lawyers led by Atty. Romeo Capulong have already filed a motion for bail at the Supreme Court as well as a separate motion seeking temporary release on May 1. If the former motion is granted, the second will be rendered moot.

Beltran said that he wishes to be able to speak at Anakpawis' miting de avance and personally thank all those who have supported the campaign for his release. If released, Beltran will also help welcome the various senatorial candidates Anakpawis is endorsing. He said that besides being a miting de avance, May 1 will also be a venue to further galvanize the public into heightened vigilance.

"Anakpawis will be mobilizing its ranks of supporters and sympathizers not only to vote on May 14, but to guard and protect their votes. This election has the potential to be one of the dirtiest electoral exercises second only to the presidential polls in 2004. The campaign machinery of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration is clearly geared not only to promote its candidates but to secure the chances of their victory even through fraudulent means. The continuing accreditation of the Palace-backed and funded party-lists also pose a serious threat against the legitimate progressive party-lists. The involvement of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the election process and their presence in the urban centers also serve to intimidate voters and supporters of candidates not with the Arroyo administration. All these are ingredients in a recipe for massive fraud and the disenfranchisement of voters sympathetic to the opposition," he said. #

The AFP can never be a spokesperson for clean elections; awareness campaign just a cover for urban militarization and AFP operations against PPLs

2007-04-27T17:44:00.000-07:00

Friday April 27, 2007

The AFP can never be a spokesperson for clean elections; awareness campaign just a cover for urban militarization and AFP operations against progressive party-lists

"Through the Armed Forces of the Philippines' so-called voters' awareness campaign, voters are being pressured into supporting candidates of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration. The AFP should not have any role in a strictly civilian exercise. The military's involvement in the polls is a violation of electoral law, as well as a subversion of civilian authority."

This was the stand of Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran over assertions of the AFP that it will continue with its education and public awareness campaign supposedly to help ensure clean elections on May 14. Beltran said that the Comelec should not have allowed the AFP leeway to conduct this campaign.

"Guarding the elections against fraud is not the job of the military. Neither is issuing sermons on whom Filipinos should vote for. They should not have a role in this civilian exercise. Malacanang and the Comelec should once more be taken to the task for allowing this to happen. The military should not be allowed to influence voters much less pressure them into supporting government candidates or voting against those who are critical of the Arroyo administration. The AFP should leave the elections and the electoral process alone. The AFP can never be a spokesperson for clean and honest elections," he said.

Beltran said that Maj. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino, head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) National Capital Region Command, was trying to justify urban militarization by projecting his troops as information disseminators for clean elections.

"This is such an empty and transparent ploy. Dolorfino must think that he is being clever. The only campaign the AFP is conducting in the urban centers is one against the progressive party-lists and the candidates of the Genuine Opposition. The AFP's continuing presence in the NCR is to inhibit the efforts of the progressive party-lists to reach more voters," he said.

Beltran said that Anakpawis and its supporters will be attending and monitoring these supposed information talks the AFP will be conducting. "We want to hear what kind of information and election advice Dolorfino and his troops intend to dole out to the civilian populace," he said. #

PGMA should spare Gonzalez from bringing more embarrassment to himself and make him retire

2007-04-26T17:47:00.000-07:00

Thursday April 26, 2007

PGMA should spare Gonzalez from bringing more embarrassment to himself and make him retire

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that because Malacanang itself was not keen on laying down sanctions and disciplinary, administrative action against justice secretary Raul Gonzalez, there was no genuine hope that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will be able to do anything about Gonzalez.

We expect that Sec. Gonzalez will once more get away with all his outrageous remarks and comments. He has Malacanang's backing, and so long as Gonzalez is firing bullets in defense of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration and its Team Unity, Gonzalez will remain untouchable. Gonzalez has no iota of shame left in his body, and this is all to the benefit of Malacanang," he said.

"Since it appears that he will only listen to her and her alone, Pres. Arroyo should subject Gonzalez to a thorough scolding: after all, he has been speaking and acting like a spoiled and petulant child. His conduct has been most unbecoming of a government official and the head of an important institution," he said.

Beltran, however, said that if Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants to save herself from the continued embarrassment of having an official in her cabinet who continuously reflects badly on her, she should push for Gonzalez' retirement. "He has won for himself an infamous reputation even among members of the international human rights and diplomatic communities. . There is no more hope that he will be able to change his tact and take on controversial political issues wherein Malacanang is being pushed against the wall. Sec. Gonzalez should be saved from himself, at least because he will leave government service with the most tainted and disreputable reputation," he said.

"Since Sec. Gonzalez will not resign on his own volition and on for health reasons, for political expediency he should be made to retire. Pres. Arroyo must spare Sec. Gonzalez from bringing more embarrassment to himself. She should at least do this personal favor for Gonzalez and save him from himself." #

Solon reiterates call for court-martial of Army commander in 9-year old's brutal killing in Compostela

2007-04-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

Thursday April 26, 2007

Solon reiterates call for court-martial of Army commander in 9-year old's brutal killing in Compostela

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today reiterated his call for court martial against Army Brig. Gen. Carlos Holganza and elements of the 101st Infantry Brigade which he commands. Holganza and soldiers of the 101 st IB are responsible for the brutal slay of nine-year old Grecil Buya in Compostela Valley.

"Holganza is now backtracking on his previous statements that he stands firmly behind his men that Grecil was an NPA combatant and hence a legitimate target. He should be made accountable for Gecil's death and all the pain and anguish her family has been subjected to because of the ordeal. The soldiers deliberately shot and killed Grecil and it was not result of an accidental shooting," he said.

Beltran, 74 and a grandfather and great-grandfather, said that the Holganza should be court-martialed. "He has even taking to criticizing Grecil's father Gregorio for being brave enough to seek justice for his er slain little girl. Was Holganza really expecting Gregorio to cooperate with the military? With the same soldiers and unit that shot and killed their daughter, and branded her an NPA fighter? Is Holganza really that naïve and stupid?"

The activist lawmaker said that the national leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should at the least issue a public apology to Grecil's family and make sure that they receive financial indemnification. He also demanded that AFP chief of staff Hermogenes Ebdane personally see to that Holganza is court-martialed and the rest of his unit subjected to investigations.

"The AFP has long taken to executing civilians, but this is the first time that it will be directly taken to account for the deliberate killing of a child, a strictly non-combatant civilian. It was not an accidental shooting, it was a impaired sense of judgment. They shot and killed the Grecil even as they saw that she was a mere child, and then afterwards insisted that she had a gun with her. Even if in the remotest possibility that Grecil was with the NPA, under no circumstances should the soldiers shoot her because there are strict guidelines pertaining to child warriors and their circumstances," he said. #

Ka Bel hopeful that court will grant him bail after Malacanang says it will not contest his release

2007-04-26T17:45:00.000-07:00

April 26, 2007

Ka Bel hopeful that court will grant him bail after Malacanang says it will not contest his release

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that he was eagerly awaiting the decision of the courts regarding his long-standing motion for release. He said that based on Malacanang's commitment that it will not oppose his motion for bail, he expects that the courts will issue a favorable decision and allow his release. His counsels led by Atty. Romeo Capulong filed the motion for bail filed Wednesday, April 25.

"I do not resent being released on humanitarian grounds because I am, after all, 74. I would, however, very much prefer to be released on the grounds of my complete innocence and demand political indemnification for my illegal arrest and 14 months of detention. I hope that the courts will give me my liberty and grant me bail."

"Fourteen months is a long time to be detained on false charges and fabricated testimonies. Even one day is too long," he said. "I owe my release to the thousands of Filipinos and friends of the Filipino people who have supported me and the campaign for my freedom. It is their continued expressions of unflagging support that have sustained me and my family through this injustice. I am forever in their debt, and I vow to continue the work I was forced to leave behind when I was illegally arrested and detained."

Beltran singled out the various people's organizations allied with Anakpawis Party-List and the Free Ka Bel Movement (FKBM) for tirelessly campaigning for his release. He thanked the various senatorial candidates who spoke out in defense of his release. He also said that he was deeply grateful to members of the international human rights and diplomatic community for their letters, resolutions and petitions pressing for his release. He also thanked members of the media who continue d to write stories and reports about him and his stands on issues even when he was under detention.

Beltran said that he will not take any time for rest if and when he is released. "I spent 14 months cooped up in one room; the first two months in Camp Crame, and the rest at the Philippine Heart Center. I have had all the rest I could ever use or need. The weakening of my health and body has been directly related to the stress of being illegally arrested and unjustly detained. I expect to recover my full health as soon as I am outside these walls and free to once more participate in the parliament of the streets and in legislative arena," he said.

The veteran labor leader and activist lawmaker said that as Anakpawis' first nominee in the party-list elections, he want to continue pressing for the passage of a P125 across-the-board wage increase for workers, a P3,000 across-the-board salary hike for government employees; and help campaign for the an end to the worsening civil, political and human rights situation.

The 74-year old Beltran said that there was still so much to be done. "My second stint as a political detainee has further driven home the realization that there is so much more work to be done by way of bringing genuine peace, justice and progress in the Philippines. I would like to think that somehow my incarceration has further exposed the necessity to assert for human and political rights against the face of intensifying political repression of the government. I am grateful to every single individual who supported my release; but I would still dare to be bold enough to ask for their continuing support when it comes to safeguarding the May 14 elections against fraud and violence," he said.

Beltran also seeks to join the rest of Anakpawis officials and nominees in Anakpawis' miting de avance on May 1 International Labor Day. #

Drastic fall of progressive party-list in SWS surveys can only be a result fo foul play and Malacanang manipulation

2007-04-25T17:49:00.000-07:00

Wednesday , April 25, 2007

Drastic fall of progressive party-list in SWS surveys can only be a result of foul play and Malacanang manipulation

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that there was no other way to explain the drastic fall in the survey ratings of the bloc of progressive party-lists but for one reason: the Social Weather Station has given in to pressure from Malacanang to compromise its findings in favor of party-lists funded by the Macapagal-Arroyo government and in favor of candidates of Team Unity.

"The SWS's crediblity has recently been under attack from TU and Malacanang because of its major foreign research partners has supposedly pulled out. It's highly unlikely that the popularity and acceptability of the bloc of progressive party-lists led by Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party (GWP) could fall so drastically without there being foul play. In any case, these latest SWS survey results all the more puts the pressure on us and our supporters to heighten vigilance and protect our votes in May," said Beltran.

"Our national membership and mass base will not take these latest survey results lightly. Malacanang's party-lists are hardly visible in the media or campaign trail and it's quite questionable how they could just so suddenly shoot to the top of the surveys. Something stinks badly here," he insisted.

Anakpawis secretary-general Cherry Clemente in the meantime issued the charge that Malacanang and its fraud operatives were behind the drop in the survey ratings of Anakpawis and its sister parties.

"Malacanang's front party-lists are the ones now taking the lead in the surveys and this is nothing to rejoice over. These party-lists supported and backed by Malacanang are nothing but mouthpieces for the administration, Their main function if most tragically they win in May will be to parrot the stance of Malacanang on all major economic and political issues, nevermind if they attack the welfare of the marginalized sectors they supposedly represent."

"We take these latest survey results as a challenge to protect our votes. It's a statistical impossibility for us to fall so drastically in the ratings given the strength of the support we are receiving at the grassroots level. Our campaign is of a genuinely national scope and we penerate deep into the grassroots level of the major marginalized sectors. We are even more determined to protect and defend our votes in May and make sure than none of them are credited to Malacanang's party-lists," she said.

In the meantime, Anakpawis Rep. Beltran said that he hopes to be released before May 1, 2007 International Labor Day when Anakpawis Party-List holds in miting de avance. Beltran's legal counsels led by Atty. Romeo Capulong of the Public Interest Center filed for a motion for Beltran's temporary release on May 1 .Beltran is Anakpawis' chairman and first nominee. The motion was filed the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150.

Anakpawis is endorsing senatorial candidates Loren Legarda, Manny Villar, Joker Arroyo, Alan Peter Cayetano, Francis Escudero, Aquilino Pimentel III, Francis Pangilinan and Ralph Recto. These candidates have been invited to join Anakpawis in its miting de avance on May 1.It has been clarified, however, that Anakpawis is still open to endorse four more candidates and as opened its miting de avance to all other senatorial candidates.

One of the most crucial factors justifying Anakpawis' endorsement of candidates is their support for the campaign for Beltran's release and the dropping of the trumped-up charges against him. #

Ka Bel aims for freedom in time for May 1, International Labor Day celebrations as government makes commitment to no longer block his motion for bail

2007-04-25T17:48:00.000-07:00

Wednesday , April 25, 2007

Ka Bel aims for freedom in time for May 1, International Labor Day celebrations as government makes commitment to no longer block his motion for bail

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today expressed hope that he will be released on bail before May 1, International Labor Day, just in time for Anakpawis Party-List's miting de avance at the Liwasang Bonifacio. He has been under detention since February 25, 2006 on charges of inciting to sedition and rebellion. He has consistently denied both charges and accused the government of illegal and unlawful arrest using a 22-year old warrant.

Beltran's counsels led by Public Interest Law Center (PILC) president Atty. Romeo Capulong has long before included a prayer for the granting of bail in Beltran's petition for certiorari at the Supreme Court, and another certiorari petition at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. Counsels have said that it is now up to the courts to lay down a decision granting approval for the motion for bail and to stipulate the amount. Beltran's lawyers have issued the prayer for the swift resolution of the charges against him.

"If necessary, we will yet again file a separate motion for bail. In whichever case, we hope that the courts will immediately allow me to post bail and to leave my detention hospital room at the Philippine Heart Center," said Beltran.

It has been reported that National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales has said that the government will no longer block any moves for Beltran's release on bail. This following dialogues with representatives of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) led by Canadian Sen. Sharon Carstairs and IPU secretary general Anders Johnsson. Various senatorial candidates including Joker Arroyo, Chiz Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano, Aquilino Pimentel, Loren Legarda, Ralph Recto and Gringo Honasan have called for Beltran's release. His case is also being closely followed by Amnesty International and various other international church and human rights organizations all over the world.

"We hope that the government will be true to its word and transmit this commitment to the courts at the soonest possible time. As for the courts, they should see that the charges against me are weak and probable cause has not been established. I hope that they will lay down a decision allowing my release at the soonest possible time," Beltran said.

Fellow Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano in the meantime said that it was high-time that his detained colleague be granted his freedom however temporary so he (Beltran) can still participate in the electoral campaign and make the rounds in the regions and provinces.

"Ka Bel has been sorely missed on the campaign trail and his release will be a big morale booster for our members and supporters especially in the light of the continuing attacks in the form of political repression and extra-judicial killings against us and our members," he said.

"Workers and farmers led by Anakpawis Party-List couldn't wish for anything more than to see Ka Bel walk free and be one with them during our miting de avance on May 1, International Labor Day. Our victory in the party-list elections in May will be all the sweeter with Ka Bel free and the charges against him dropped. Along with the representatives of Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party, we seek to continue performing our mandate as lawmakers of the people and the true representatives of the marginalized sectors in congress," he said. #

Senator Arroyo wants Trillanes, Beltran set free

2007-04-24T18:33:00.000-07:00

AFTER HONASAN’S RELEASE
Senator Arroyo wants Trillanes, Beltran set free

By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Inquirer
Last updated 01:44am (Mla time) 04/24/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Malacañang should also let Genuine Opposition senatorial bet Antonio Trillanes and Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran to post bail and campaign, after the Makati Regional Trial Court allowed independent senatorial candidate Gregorio Honasan to walk out of his cell.

The call was made by TEAM Unity senatorial bet Joker Arroyo who was incensed at what he called the preferential treatment granted to Honasan whom the administration was reportedly courting.

Honasan had denied that he had struck a deal with the government and said the grant of his bail was a legal process, which his family and lawyers fought for.

But Arroyo had a different view. “The government should already release Beltran and Trillanes on bail because it is so wrong, unfair, unequal when three candidates have been in prison and one of them is set free,'' said Arroyo in a press conference in the Senate.

“Whenever there is an unequal application of law, I always react with anger. You will wonder why I am part of TEAM Unity and yet I am saying this because I see the unfairness of it all,” said Arroyo who still recalled Honasan's failed coup attempts during the Aquino administration where he served as executive secretary.

“Trillanes is on the other side and is my opponent but I would like him to campaign because Honasan has been set free,'' Arroyo added.

Arroyo said that what he was questioning was not the law but government's policy.

“Everyone who runs must be given the chance to campaign. If Honasan was not allowed to post bail, there should have been no issue, but once they released Honasan, then there is an issue,'' said Arroyo.

Arroyo claimed that the crimes that Beltran and Trillanes were charged with were the same as Honasan’s -- attempt and conspiracy to overthrow the government.

Since Beltran and Trillanes were charged with capital offenses that were non-bailable, Arroyo suggested that the government lower its charges against the two to allow them to file bail. “The prosecutors can do that anytime,'' Arroyo said.

Gonzalez should be censured and suspended for bribing baranggay officials; he should inhibit himself from all cases involving the progressive lawmaker

2007-04-24T17:53:00.000-07:00

Tuesday , April 24, 2007

Gonzalez should be censured and suspended for bribing baranggay officials; he should inhibit himself from all cases involving the progressive lawmakers

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today reacted to reports that Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez is allegedly bribing baranggay officials in Iloilo to support and campaign for Team Unity. He said that Gonzalez must be censured and charged for influencing and bribing local officials.

"Gonzalez may be using money out of his own pocket, but bribery is bribery, and vote buying is vote buying. If all his uncouth declarations and undiplomatic conduct against visiting foreign dignitaries have been tolerated by the Macapagal-Arroyo government, this latest admission that he's actually paying off baranggay officials to support Team Unity cannot be dismissed. This goes way beyond subjective offense, this is a criminal act and Gonzalez should at least be suspended from office for this," he said.

The activist lawmaker said that Gonzalez is using his position and influence to peddle Malacanang's campaign not only to suppress civil liberties and democratic rights in the country, but to ensure that the administration will secure an ill-gotten victory in the May14 polls. He said that Gonzalez is Malacanang's official 'loose cannon' but because the Macapagal-Arroyo government benefits from Gonzalez' various shenanigans, it gives Gonzalez free reign.

In the meantime, Beltran also slammed Gonzalez anew for the latter's charge that the temporary release through bail of senatorial candidate Gringo Honasan should not happen again in his (Beltran's) case. Beltran said that he will still file a motion for bail 'and Gonzalez has no right to deny me of that right. The government has no case against me, at least none will stand up in a genuinely objective legal arena."

"Gonzalez has really made it personal. He must see himself as some kind of twisted crusader protecting the Macapagal-Arroyo administration and preserving it in all it's corrupt and illegitimate glory. Sec. Gonzalez is one of the biggest reasons why no genuine progress can be achieved in the government's supposed campaign to fight human rights violations and attacks against civil liberties and democratic rights. He is a regular campaigner for political repression."

"Sec. Gonzalez has long before abandoned all objectivity and sense of fair play when it comes to dealing with legitimate critics of the Macapagal-Arroyo presidency. He is already twisting and manipulating the law and using false and fabricated charges, evidence and testimonies to pin the progressive lawmakers including myself. I have been detained for 14 months and denied my rights as an elected lawmaker and a civilian. Gonzalez has thrown the principle 'innocent until proven guilty' down the toilet and replaced it with 'guilty unless you can prove yourself innocent and if you can go through a maze of fabricated charges.'"

Finally, Beltran said that Sec. Gonzalez should be made to inhibit himself when it comes to the cases involving the progressive lawmakers of Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party (GWP). "He is no longer in his right thinking mind when it comes to us and our party-lists. He has been rendered fully incapable of fair and objective thinking, and his legal expertise and authority has been severely compromised in his desperation to protect the Arroyo administration."#

Comelec chair Abalos should not stand by as party-list law and party-list system are manipulated and bastardized

2007-04-24T17:52:00.000-07:00

Tuesday , April 24, 2007

Comelec chair Abalos should not stand by as party-list law and party-list system are manipulated and bastardized

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that the Commission on Elections is being bureaucratic when it justifies its refusal to investigate the allegations that the Arroyo government is funding several party-lists running in the May 14 elections by saying that no one has filed any official complaint.

"The Comelec has the duty and responsibility to investigate such reports and allegations because they have a serious import on electoral law. As important is the necessity for the Comelec to have the foresight and initiative to investigate such reported anomalies with or without any one filing an official complaint. The Comelec's explanations for not taking action on these reports is bureaucratic at best; but one cannot help but think that the Comelec is trying to inhibit itself from investigating this maldevelopment of bogus party-lists because of pressure from Malacanang itself," he said.

The activist lawmaker said that the Comelec should be more responsive to the issue of government-funded bogus party-lists and not wait for the filing of any formal complaints.

"The issue is serious and grave enough to warrant a full-blown investigation. It's unthinkable why the Comelec should be so dismissive to tackle this matter head on. This is a serious case of potential electoral fraud and disenfranchisement of genuine party-lists. Also, Malacanang and several of its agencies and officials also stand being accused of corruption and false representation if they're proven to be behind the fielding of these fake party-list groups," he said.

"We hope that Chief Comelec commissioner Benjamin Abalos will not be remiss in his duty and merely stand by as the party-list law and the party-list system are manipulated and bastardized. The participation of these fake party-list groups funded by Malacanang are anomalous and illegal, and it serves only the interest of Malacanang, not the marginalized sectors.," he concluded.#

Beltran reiterates intent to file motion for bail, demands immediate liberty even as his wife says they can only afford to pay P1,000 in bail money

2007-04-23T17:54:00.000-07:00

Monday April 23, 2007

Beltran reiterates intent to file motion for bail, demands immediate liberty even as his wife says they can only afford to pay P1,000 in bail money

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran insisted that he and legal counsels have once before applied for his bail but has been turned down because the charges against him are said to be non-bailable.

"Neither the lower courts hearing my case nor the Department of Justice have acknowledged the evidence I and my lawyers have presented as proof of my innocence of the charges. The Macapagal-Arroyo government has no case against me because from the very beginning, my arrest my illegal, the warrant was fake, and the accusations fabricated and backed up with faulty arguments and full-blown lies. I was detained and I continue to be detained and denied my freedom and liberty because Malacanang and the Department of Justice are imposing pressure on the lower courts and stopping them from declaring that my arrest and detention constitute miscarriage of justice and a violation of countless laws," he said.

The activist lawmaker turned legislator said that Malacanang and its various spokespersons including Eduardo Ermita and Sergio Apostol are trying to make it appear that the government is in no way responsible for my arrest, "But who are they trying to fool? They known straight up that the government genuinely has no credible, believable case against me. All the evidence, all the testimonies against me are fake. The government is the once committing a serious, grievous and continuing crime against my person and my family by keeping me in detention."

Beltran said that that the Arroyo government should immediately drop all charges against him and have him released. "It has been almost 15 months since I was arrested and first detained. I have been previously denied bail. It's an outrage that the likes of Ermita and Apostol keep harping that I will most likely be denied bail yet against because I am guilty of rebellion. The government has proven nothing, and it will never be able to establish my guilt regarding its rebellion and sedition charges against me," he said.

"We will file a motion for bail, and I demand that the motion be granted and I be immediately released.

In the meantime, Rep. Beltran's wife Rosario Soto-Beltran scorned the idea of surrendering thousands of pesos in bail money, saying that they could ill afford it but can only afford to give P1,000 in bail money.

"Saan pa kami kukuha ng pampiyansa? Naubos na ang pera sa pambayad sa ospital – baon na kami sa utang sa Philippine Heart Center. Napaka-sahol ng ginagawa ng gobyerno sa asawa ko. Kami ang pinagbabayad sa pananatili niya sa PHC. Ngayon naman kung magpapyansa kami, baka ang ipataw ay P100,000 din o mas malaki pa. Mga P1,000 lang ang kaya naming ipampyansa. Mahirap lang kami, at ubos na ang pera dahil sa bayad sa ospital. Inosente si Ka Bel, sinungaling ang gobyerno at peke ang mga akusasyon laban sa kanya. Lahat ito ay paglapastangan sa karapatan niya, at hindi makakailang pruweba ng pampulitikang panunupil," she said.#

Comelec should stop dilly-dallying on the issue of the fake and government-funded party-lists and remove them from the official list

2007-04-21T17:55:00.000-07:00

Saturday April 21, 2007

Comelec should stop dilly-dallying on the issue of the fake and government-funded party-lists and remove them from the official list participating in the May 14 polls

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee today said that the Commission on Elections should stop dilly-dallying on the issue of fake and government-funded party-lists and take action to immediately disqualify these.

"May 14 is just around the corner but the Comelec has yet to resolve the issue of these government-funded party-lists. The legitimate and progressive party-lists Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party as well as their sister groups Kabataan Party and Suara Bangsa Moro are being harassed and subjected to disqualification charges because they are advocating for genuine representation of marginalized groups in Congress. We will not allow these fake party-lists which are actually fronts for the Macapagal-Arroyo administration to take over the party-list system and secure seats in congress by cheating and buying their way to victory with the help of Malacanang," he said.

The activist lawmaker exclaimed against the bastardization of the party-list system and said that illegitimate party-lists supportive of an illegitimate presidency have no right to claim representation in congress.

"They are making a mockery of the advocacies of the marginalized sectors. They intend to secure seats in congress to edge out those who truly serve the interest of the poor. The Comelec should waste no more time and settle this issue once and for all. The bogus party-lists must be disqualified and stricken off the official list of party-lists participating in the May 14 polls," he said.

Beltran also supported the calls of other progressive parties for investigations into confidential memorandum of assistant secretary Marcelo Fariñas II, designated in the document as the head of the OEA special concerns group (OEA-SCG), sent to Malacanang and the office of Pres. Arroyo.

Fariñas, head of the Office of External Affairs special concerns group of the office of the President, wrote to lawyer Erlyn de Leon, special assistant to the President and close confidante. The memo sought Palace funding for these party list groups that would be supported by the Palace.

"These well funded party list organizations shall actively campaign for 40 seats in Congress with the foremost objective of gathering additional votes in the House of Representatives for another round of impeachment against the President," the memorandum dated Oct.16, 2006 said.

The OEA proposal further said that the administration and its allied civil society organizations should have a comprehensive counter-plan with the objective of frustrating this "grand plan" of the Left and the opposition.

"What other proof does the Comelec need? It's no secret that Malacanang is out to quash the progressive party-lists and undermine our chances of once more topping the party-lists elections. Our leaders and members are being killed, and the representatives including myself are being libeled and labeled as criminals. Despite all this, it's being consistently revealed in all the surveys that the progressive party-lists are a shoo-in in May, and it is only through massive electoral fraud and illegal disenfranchisement of our millions of supporters that we will not win."

"The fake and government-funded party-lists must not be allowed to participate in the May elections. The Comelec will be aiding and abetting in a serious violation of electoral and constitutional law if it allows these fake party-lists endorsed and funded by Malacanang to run," he concluded.#

US solon asks Arroyo to free Anakpawis’ Beltran

2007-04-21T01:54:00.000-07:00

US solon asks Arroyo to free Anakpawis’ Beltran

INQUIRER.net
Last updated 12:00nn (Mla time) 04/21/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- An American congressman has written President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to appeal for the release of leftist lawmaker Crispin Beltran, who has been detained for more than a year on rebellion charges for his alleged role in a supposed plot to topple the government.

In a letter dated April 18, coursed through Philippine Ambassador to Washington Willy Gaa, Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) asked Arroyo to “please consider allowing [Beltran] the freedom to be at home with his friends, family and community.”

“While I understand the Philippine judicial system is currently moving forward on Mr. Beltran’s case and will ultimately judge the merits of the charges brought against him, I urge you to free him during this time while he has yet to be convicted of any crime and his health is deteriorating,” Smith wrote in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by INQUIRER.net.

Smith, a member of the US House of Representatives’ Armed Forces and Foreign Relations committees, said he was “concerned by the allegations that Mr. Beltran is being unfairly detained at the Philippine Heart Center.”

“As I am sure you are aware,” he wrote Arroyo, “it is widely believed among the international labor and human rights communities that the charges brought against…Beltran are legally weak and unsubstantiated.”

Smith also referred to allegations that Beltran’s “arrest and detention are politically motivated, a result of the government’s opposition to his progressive political belief and social activism.”

Beltran is one of two representatives of the Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) party-list groups and is one of six members of the House from the country’s major leftist bloc, all of whom are facing the same rebellion charges.

The leftist solons and the party-list group they represent -- the other two are Bayan Muna (People First) and Gabriela -- are regularly tagged by the government and military as “legal fronts” of the communist rebel movement.

Scores of members of the party-list groups have also fallen victim to the extrajudicial killings that continue to sweep the country and have earned the Arroyo administration increasing criticism both at home and abroad.

Bayan Muna’s Satur Ocampo has also been charged with multiple murder for his supposed role in the execution of suspected government spies by communist rebels more than two decades ago. He has been allowed to post bail on the normally non-bailable charge by the Supreme Court.

A fact-finding mission from the Inter-Parliamentary Union arrived in the country this week to investigate the perceived persecution of the leftist solons and their party-list groups. The mission’s members have also called for Beltran’s release.

In his letter, Smith acknowledged Beltran’s reputation “for his work on behalf of Philippine workers and the underprivileged.”

“I applaud his contributions to the international labor community and hope that he is given due respect at this time in his life,” he said.
Nonoy Espina

Beltran thanks IPU officials for pleading on behalf of his freedom; says Arroyo government turning him into a political martyr

2007-04-20T22:54:00.000-07:00

Friday April 20, 2007

Beltran thanks IPU officials for pleading on behalf of his freedom; says Arroyo government turning him into a political martyr

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran gave his personal thanks to the officials of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and its Human Rights Committee as they visited him in his hospital detention room this afternoon at the Philippine Heart Center. IPU Human Rights Committee vice chair Canadian Sen. Sharon Carstairs, IPU secretary-general Anders Johnsson and human rights committee secretary Ingeborg Schwarz visited Beltran as part of the IPU's fact-finding mission into the political repression against progressive lawmakers in the Philippines.

Beltran said that despite the refusal of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration led by its officials such as Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita have refused to give in to the IPU's appeals for his release, he remains grateful to the IPU for speaking on his behalf. He also said that he remains hopeful that justice will still be served in his case and he will soon walk free.

"I am grateful to Mr. Johnsson, Sen. Carstairs and Ms. Schwarz for pleading my case with the Macapagal-Arroyo administration. As officials of an international institution upholding the human and political rights of parliamentarians, they have not failed me or my colleagues in Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party. My only hope is that the IPU will continue to take an interest and concern regarding my case and expose to the rest of the international community the worsening attacks against activist lawmakers in the Philippines."

Anakpawis officials in the meantime led by Rep. Rafael Mariano and secretary-general Cherry Clemente gave a token of appreciation to the IPU officials, a framed certificate.

In the meantime, the 74-year old Beltran reiterated his innocence of the sedition and rebellion charges against him, and once more denounced the illegal and unlawful circumstances that surrounded in arrest in February 25, 2006. He said that the warrant the arresting officers showed him as the one issued him 25 years ago concerning charges of rebellion laid against him by the Marcos dictatorship. The charges were dismissed in 1986 by Judge Edurado Tutaan of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Tutaan of the QC RTC Branch 84. He was also cleared by the Philippine Constabulary/Integrated National Police (PC/INP) and the court. The government prosecutor assigned to his case was incumbent Department of Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez.

"I am an innocent man being denied my liberty and rights. By refusing to release me, the Macapagal-Arroyo adminisration daily affirms its reputation as a politically repressive government. What has been done to me and what continues to be done against me is political repression, an act of a burgeoning dictatorship. It is my hope that Filipinos as well as the rest of the international community will be made aware of what is being done to me and see it as an attack against civil liberties and political rights in the country. The Arroyo government is making a political martyr out of me, the same way the Marcos dictatorship made a martyr of labor leader Felixberto Olalia," he said.

Olalia was arrested on August 12, 1982 on charges of rebellion. He was 78. He died December 3 the following year while under house arrest.

Rep. Beltran's wife Mrs. Rosario-Soto Beltran in the meantime denounced anew the heartlessness of the Arroyo government. "Inosente ang asawa ko. Kailangang siyang palayain dahil ligal ang ginawang pag-aresto sa kanya, at peke ang lahat ng testimonya ng mga testigo laban sa kanya. Nalalantad lang lalo ang kabulukan ng sistema ng batas sa kasong ito ni Ka Bel dahil mismo ang proseso ng batas ay binabaluktot ng gobyerno para lang hwag siyang palayain." #

Beltran thanks IPU officials for pleading on behalf of his freedom; says Arroyo government turning him into a political martyr

2007-04-20T17:56:00.000-07:00

Ka Bel condemns slay attempt against Southern Tagalog and human rights advocate Delfin Mallari

2007-04-19T23:00:00.000-07:00

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Ka Bel condemns slay attempt against Southern Tagalog and human rights advocate Delfin Mallari

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran expressed condemnation for the shooting of Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent in Southern Tagalog Delfin Mallari, saying that the shooting could very well be politically-motivated.

"Sonny is a journalist with a firm sense of social justice and an advocate of human rights. His reports and commentaries reveal his humane and humanitarian advocacies even as they are objectively written and delivered. There is strong basis to allege that his shooting was politically motivated and intended to either discourage his espousal of activist causes or completely silence him. We are much relieved to hear that he survived the attack and pray for his recovery. We extend a hand in comfort to his wife and family," said Beltran.

Beltran said that it was more than likely that the Armed Forces of the Philippines Regional Special Action Force (RSAF) in Southern Tagalog are behind the slay attempt. He said that Mallari has been consistent in exposing the spate of extra-judicial killings in the region including the continued harassment members and officials of progressive party-lists and militant people's groups at the hands of the AFP and its RSAF.

"Sonny is human rights advocate and he has been active in exposing the human rights violations in ST. This has earned him a hateful reputation among the military and paramilitary forces in the region who are the frequent targets of his reports and commentaries."

The veteran labor leader turned legislator in the meantime said that it was evident that the Macapagal-Arroyo administration is not acting on any of its promises that it will put an end to the attacks against journalists and freedom of the press in the country. He said that the slay attempt against Mallari and the recent murder of radio reporter Mark Palacios in Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija give lie to the government's assertions that it is addressing the issue of violence against journalists.

"The Macapagal-Arroyo administration has not declared an all-out war against freedom of the press and members of the media in words, but its deeds are more than enough to prove that it is in fact undertaking an attack against the Philippine media. One the one hand Pres. Arroyo frequently exhorts the media to focus their coverage on events and developments that do not put her administration in a bad light; on the other hand we have her husband the First Gentleman filing libel charges left and right against journalists. The extrajudicial killings and harassment of journalists also continue unabated," he said. #

Ka Bel elated over opportunity to personally present his case to Inter-Parliamentary Union officials

2007-04-19T22:58:00.000-07:00

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Ka Bel elated over opportunity to personally present his case to Inter-Parliamentary Union officials tomorrow 230 PM

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today reiterated his gratitude to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the members of its delegation to the Philippines led by IPU human rights committee chair Canadian senator Sharon Carstairs, IPU secretary-general Anders Johnson, and IPU HR committee secretary Ingeborg Schwarz.

"I am most grateful to the IPU for its continuing concern for the plight of progressive lawmakers in the Philippines. I am also touched by Sen. Carstairs' expressions of concern for my health and welfare," Beltran said. "I am certain that their call for my immediate release will all the more bring international attention to the worsening human and political rights situation in the Philippines," he said. "I am elated that finally, I will be able to present the circumstances surrounding the case to a body who swears to be fair and objective, and acknowledge my right to defend myself."

The IPU mission members are set to visit Beltran tomorrow at 2:30 pm in his detention hospital room at the Philippine Center. Beltran's wife Rosario Soto-Beltran as well as officials of Anakpawis party-list including Rep. Rafael Mariano will also be present. Beltran said that he will share with the IPU officials the circumstances surrounding his arrest last year and the rigmarole of court proceedings that have taken place since then.

"There is no basis to have my case arraigned, but more than enough reasons to have the charges against me dropped and myself released from incarceration. I am being detained by the Macapagal-Arroyo administration purely out of political spite and repression," he said.

Government prosecutor Raul Gonzalez

The 74-year old Beltran lamented the Quezon City Municipal Trial Court 43 and the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150's refusal to acknowledge the illegal process that was utilized to facilitate the government's arrest of his person last year, February 25. Beltran was arrested on a rebellion charge that was already dismissed in November 1986 by Judge Eduardo Tutaan of the QC RTC Branch 84. He was also cleared by the Philippine Constabulary/Integrated National Police (PC/INP) and the court. The government prosecutor assigned to his case was incumbent Department of Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez.

"The charges laid down against me 25 years ago have been resurrected, and the same warrant was used to justify my arrest. The least Sec. Gonzalez could do is admit that he is aware these particular circumstances that I'm talking about and admit that the warrant used against me last year was already dismissed along with the rebellion charges," he said.

The activist lawmaker said that he has no intentions of meeting the same fate as Kilusang Mayo Uno founding chairman Felixberto Olalia who expired while under the guard of the PC-INP, under house arrest in his home in Quezon City. Eight after he was arrested on August 13, 1982, Olalia's detention weakened his heart and respiratory system, making him more susceptible to heart disease. Ka Bert died on December 3, 1983.

"I am an innocent man who has done nothing but serve the Filipino people through militant advocacy of workers' rights and social justice issues. The Macapagal-Arroyo government has denied me my rights as an elected lawmaker, and denied me my liberty for the last 14 months. In the name of justice and the truth, I demand that the charges against me be immediately dropped and the Arroyo government issue an apology to myself, my family, to Anakpawis Party-List and the broad constituency of workers, farmers, and urban and rural poor whom we serve," he said. #

Let the Macapagal-Arroyo government dispute the World Bank's findings about worsening poverty in the Philippines

2007-04-17T18:34:00.000-07:00

Tuesday , April 17, 2007

Let the Macapagal-Arroyo government dispute the World Bank's findings about worsening poverty in the Philippines

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that even one of the international financial institutions largely to blame for poverty and hunger in the world can see that the situation in the Philippines is lamentable. He challenged the Macapagal-Arroyo adminsitration to dispute the studies of the World Bank and defend its own economic programs in tha face of the expose that as of survey year 1997, percentage of the population below the poverty line was 36.8 percent."This percentage, no doubt, has increased since then," he said.

"The World Bank manipulates global finances and negotiate with governments around the world to gear their economic priorities towards privatization, liberalization and deregulation; but now even the WB is worried about the state of things in the Philippines. One cannot miss the irony in that, and Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should take heed, being an economist herself," Beltran said.

Recently, the World Bank released a study saying that at least 14.8 million Filipinos try to survive on less than $1 a day.

"There is no truth to the claims of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration and its candidates for the senatorial elections under Team Unity that the country's economy is improving. Whatever improvement the economic indicators are suppsoedly registering do not translate into actual, tangible improvement in the lives and welfare of majority of Filipinos. The economy remains largely backward, and what progress the Arroyo government credits itself for achieving for the country is reserved for the less than two percent of the population, the same sections who own big businesses and large land-holdings, and those who have partnerships with foreign investors," he said.

"The problems of homelessness, joblessness, hunger and malnutrition remain largely unsolved because the twisted economic priorities of the government do not include them. Budgetary spending goes to foreign debt servicing, military modernization, and corrupt practices in the bureaucracy," he added.

The veteran labor leader turned legislator said that the worsening economic crisis is also at the core of the never-to-be-resolved political instability in government.

"So long as even the most basic of social reforms are not implemented adequately and efficiently to cover the needs of the large majority of Filipinos, then there will always be political instability. The main barrier that stands between providing what Filipinos need not only to survive but to improve and develop as well-rounded individuals is corruption in the ruling system of government, and continued obeisance to foreign economic and political dictates," he concluded.#

IPU will have a compelling report to deliver to its 116th assembly regarding plight of progressive lawmakers in the Philippines

2007-04-16T18:22:00.000-07:00

Monday , April 16, 2007

IPU will have a compelling report to deliver to its 116th assembly regarding plight of progressive lawmakers in the Philippines

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that all efforts will be done to make sure the Inter-Parliamentary Union will have a compelling report on the plight of progressive lawmakers and the party-lists they represent.

The IPU will hold its 116th assembly in Bali, Indonesia later this month after it sends a three-person fact-finding team to the Philippines beginning April 18. The team will be comprised of Sen. Rosario Green of Mexico, Sen. Sharon Carstairs of Canada and Ingeborg Schwarz, the IPU human rights committee secretary. Carstairs is vice president of the IPU's committee on human rights of parliamentarians. The IPU officials are set to visit Beltran in his hospital detention room at the Philippine Heart Center on the afternoon of the 18th, and before they leave on the 20th. Consultations with Beltran's family and legal counsels are also scheduled.

"The Philippine government continues to project itself as a democracy, but its actions betray it. The democratic space allowed for expressions of legitimate political dissent in the form of legal and constitutionally-protected forms has become severely limited since Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo came to power."

"Legislators who do not choose to swing and dance to the tune of the administration are branded government destabilizers and even terrorists. The bloc of progressive party-lists led by Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party has been viciously attacked and our legislators subjected to various forms of harassment and political persecution. We are being branded as criminals, and our rights as duly-elected representatives of marginalize sectors disregarded and violated."

"The IPU's fact-finding mission could not be taking place at a better and more opportune time. It's the last leg of the campaign season, but the IPU delegation will still be able to see how the politics of patronage still holds sway over the Philippine electoral system. They will also see how the party-list system which was supposedly established to strengthen the representation of the marginalized sectors of Philippine society in congress is being twisted and corrupted. In the meantime, the fact that I remain incarcerated 14 months on false charges and false testimonies is also a testament to the Arroyo government's determination to weaken and crush the progressive party-lists by criminalizing their representatives," he said.

"If the likes of National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales and justice secretary Raul Gonzalez had their way, each one of the progressive lawmakers will be in jail and disqualified from participating in the elections. They want human rights violators and killers like Jovito Palparan and his party-list to win. The government is also fielding its own party-lists in the malicious effort to corner the party-list system and make it serve the government's agenda in the legislature."

Beltran exhorts senatorial candidate Joker to be 'the good Arroyo'

2007-04-16T01:06:00.000-07:00

Tuesday March 27, 2007

Beltran exhorts senatorial candidate Joker to be 'the good Arroyo'

A former client of senatorial candidate Joker Arroyo today said that the voting public's less than enthusiastic response to his latest bid to return to the senate might well be likely a result of the public's disappointment with his decision to run under the administration banner. "Many are also surprised with the line that Sen. Arroyo is taking on the issue of extrajudicial killings and the international attention the issue has been getting. People expect more Joker – after all, he's the 'good Arroyo," said Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran.

Arroyo was one of the Beltran's lawyers from 1984-1986 when Beltran was a political detainee under the Marcos dictatorship. Now, Beltran is again a political detainee and has been under detention since February 25, 2007.

Beltran himself said that he was very surprised and disappointed with Joker's stance on pressing political issues such as human rights and the extrajudicial killings. He said that Joker's vote in support of the Human Security Act or the anti-terrorism law was also tragic.

"He became known as a human rights lawyer and a civil rights defender; but now his stance seems to vary from day to day. It's most unfortunate that he has chosen to side with the Arroyo administration and defends its from ultimate responsibility and criminal liability for the extrajudicial killings. Many see him now as an apologist for the Arroyo government, and it has caused much confusion in how voters perceive him. If he didn't want to join the Genuine Opposition, he should have gone independent instead of throwing his lot with Team Unity and his infamous namesake of an illlegitimate president," said Beltran.

Beltran said that it the supporters and sympathizers of the progressive party-lists Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, and Gabriela Women's Party are not encouraged to include Joker in the list of candidates they will vote for in the senate elections. "However much we want to support and endorse Arroyo's candidacy, it's become difficult for us because of his inconsistent stand on human rights and the extra-judicial killings. Many were shocked to hear him defend the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Arroyo government itself from culpability. It was a disappointment," he said.

"Joker would win more votes and once more secure a seat in the senate if he once more takes up the cudgels for human and civil rights in the Philippines. This is what the Filipino people expects of him."

Finally, the veteran labor leader turned legislator said that it was it was not too late for Joker Arroyo to disaffiliate himself from Team Unity and take a more correct and humane, internationalist stand on the issue of extrajudicial killings.

This morning, Beltran was allowed by the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 under Judge Elmo Alameda to attend the Comelec hearing on the disqualification case filed by members of Akbayan Party-List. Beltran is Anakpawis Party-List's chairman and first nominee. Other nominees are Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano who also stands as party president; Kilusang Mayo Uno secretary general Joel Maglunsod, Pamalakaya chair Fernando Hicap, and president of the Confederation for the Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) Ferdinand Gaite. #

Beltran will not enter any plea during this afternoon's arraignment of sedition charges against him

2007-04-16T01:05:00.000-07:00

Monday March 26, 2007

Beltran will not enter any plea during this afternoon's arraignment of sedition charges against him

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that he will not enter any plea in this afternoon's hearing of the sedition case against him at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 43. The said court headed by Acting Presiding Judge Thelma de los Santos had denied Beltran 's motion to quash the government's move to proceed with Criminal Case No. 132943 or the case charging him with sedition.

"I will not plead to anything. I do recognize the legitimacy of the charges against me. I was arrested based on a long-lapsed warrant; the testimonies against me are all fabricated, and the witnesses are all completely lacking in credibility. Let the court declare a plea on my behalf because I will not. I have been detained for over a year on a rebellion charge that has already been dismissed; and on the strength of testimonies that are patently false. This is a serious miscarriage of justice, "he said, defiant. He said that all charges against him should be dismissed because of glaring legal technicalities and the blatant perjury of the witnesses.

Beltran, 74, has been on a 'freedom fast' since Thursday morning as has been subsisting solely on soda crackers and water. He embarked on his fast in protest against his continuing incarceration as well as against the arrest of Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo. He will be attending this afternoon's arraignement on an essentially empty stomach.

"The Macapagal-Arroyo government continues to deny millions of Filipinos justice. The constantly worsening conditions of poverty, hunger and joblessness are grave injustices that remain unresolved. Add to these the escalating attacks against the human rights and civil liberties of Filipinos and what we have is a criminal government. My continuing incarceration is further proof that there is no democracy in the Philippines against the Macapagal-Arroyo administration. The Arroyo government is now completely utilizing and relying on underhanded and downright dirty means to silence its critics. The victims, however, will not be silent. We will not be silenced and continue to expose and protest against Pres. Arroyo's burgeoning dictatorship," he said.

The activist lawmaker and detainee said that his legal counsels led by Public Interest Law Center (PILC) president Atty. Romeo Capulong, Atty. Rachel Pastores and Atty. Amylyn Sato intend to file a motion for certiorari on the sedition charges against him. "I cannot be charged with both sedition and rebellion. The more serious crime should absorb the lesser crime; I, however, am innocent of both charges. I have an elected lawmaker since 2001 and done nothing but take full advantage and use of the parliamentary arena to further the cause of the poor and marginalized sectors which the progressive party-lists represent," he said.

Beltran challenged Department of Justice secretary Raul Gonzales to personally read and review all the testimonies supposedly proving Beltran's guilt. "If there's any sense of logic, reason and justice in Sec. Gonzales, he himself would concede that all the testimonies against me are fabrications. Himself a lawyer, he will easily see that all the evidence prove nothing of my supposed guilt but point towards by innocence of the charges. All I am guilty of is actively denouncing the abuses and corruption of the Macapagal-Arroyo presidency, and all that is within my rights not so much as a lawmaker, but as a Filipino living in a supposedly democratic society," he said.

In the meantime, the veteran labor leader turned legislator lauded the decision of the Permanent People's Tribunal to declare the Macapagal-Arroyo government guilty responsible for the extrajudicial killings and disappearances in the country.

"The Arroyo government cannot continue to ignore the growing number of institutions and internationalists expressing condemnation for the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines. Pres. Arroyo's stubborn insistence to stand by and defend the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and their paramilitary groups only exacerbate the crime of sanctioning the wide-scale execution of political activists and human rights advocates," he concluded.#

Commission on Human Rights must keep cases against Palparan open so long as justice is not given to the victims

2007-04-16T01:02:00.001-07:00

Wednesday March 21, 2007

Commission on Human Rights must keep cases against Palparan open so long as justice is not given to the victims

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today decried the declaration of a

Commission on Human Rights fact-finding mission that there is no direct evidence linking Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan and other officers under his command to the series of extrajudicial killings in Central Luzon when Palparan was stationed there as regional military commander. Commissioner Eligio Mallari iIn a 20-page resolution recommended that the cases filed by human rights groups against Palparan and other officers of the 7th Infantry Division be dismissed in the absence of prima facie evidence.

"Two decades after the downfall of the Marcos dictatorship, everyone save for members of the Marcos family acknowledges that Marcos was the mastermind behind abduction, torture and cold-blooded execution of thousands of civilians. It's highly unlikely that Marcos himself took a gun to shoot the victims, but he ordered the crackdown against political activists and critics of his administration. Nobody contests that Marcos was the over-all perpetrator in all the human rights violations and extrajudicial killings of activists that took place under his regime."

"The same logic should also apply to Jovito Palparan. He was the one who put together the initial blueprint and formula for Oplan Bantay Laya, and the soldiers under his command obeyed him. He may not have actually shot any of the victims, but he had direct knowledge of how and why they were killed because he ordered their executions," he said. "Palparan's public and media declarations justifying the execution of human rights advocates, members of the progressive party-lists Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party and members of people's organizations under the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) are well documented."

Beltran said that the Commission on Human Rights may well be under pressure from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to absolve Palparan. He said that the CHR would be bringing shame to itself and endangering its own credibility if it bows to this pressure .

"We still hope that the CHR will take a firmer stand on this issue of extrajudicial killings and not be afraid of Palparan or the AFP. It is understandable if members of the CHR fact-finding mission in Central Luzon are in fear for their own lives if they declare Palparan criminally liable for the killings; but as human right workers, they have the duty and responsibility to seek justice for the victims of the killings," he said.

"The CHR should not dismiss the cases against Palparan because none of the extrajudicial killings perpetrated in Central Luzon under his watch have been given justice and proper resolution. These are unsolved cases, and the perpetrators are still at large. So long as justice has not been given the victims and their families, the CHR must keep these cases open and under investigation," he concluded.#

Macapagal-Arroyo, her officials and their families should all try living on P350 a day

2007-04-16T01:01:00.002-07:00

Wednesday March 21, 2007

Macapagal-Arroyo, her officials and their families should all try living on P350 a day

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that Malacanang's advice to Filipinos to cut down on luxuries like texting and smoking if they don't have enough money for food was an outrage.

"Again, the Macapagal-Arroyo government's callousness exposes itself. It's an outrage that Pres. Gloria Arroyo and Sec. Ignacio Bunye should continue to blame Filipinos for their poverty when in fact it it's the government's abject failure to provide enough jobs, higher wages and adequate, accessible social services available to the people that worsens their poverty and hunger," he said.

Beltran challenged Pres. Arroyo and Sec. Bunye to live on the wages that ordinary workers or government employees receive. "Let's see how far they'll be able to stretch P350 a day," he said. "Even if most Filipinos totally do away with texting, drinking and smoking, what's left of the measly wages and salaries they receive is still far from being enough to fight off hunger and poverty."

"Malacanang is trying to deflect blame from itself for its failure to implement economic programs that genuinely address the issue of poverty of majority of Filipinos, but the arguments its using lame and insulting. It's not texting, smoking or drinking that makes people poor – its high taxes, high costs of electricity, water and housing; it's lack of job opportunities; it's low wages that are not commensurate to the labor they turn in."

"Malacanang is advocating that Filipinos make do with meager resources while almost daily there are reports of corruption within the higher offices of government, including the executive branch. The Philippines ranks among the most corrupt nations in the world because of the Arroyo government's own inherent corruption, yet the government has the gall to tell Filipinos to cut down on their spending. The twisted budgetary policies and priorities of the Arroyo administration ahs also left majority of Filipinos denied of the most basic services such as health, education and housing. Ordinary Filipinos do not benefit from government programs which are mostly akin to the distribution of alms and dole-outs," he insisted.

Beltran said that most Filipinos already have been forced to make do without so many necessities to ensure that they and their families are able to live decently.

"Everyday is a battle of survival for most Filipinos. Widespread unemployment and underemployment is one of the bigger social problems the Arroyo government has failed to arrest and address. Those fortunate to be employed, in the meantime, are forced to make do with subsistence wages and salaries. The Macapagal-Arroyo government is to blame for the over-all deteriorating quality of life of Filipinos," he said. #

Human Rights advocates and civil liberarians should push for removal of Bert Gonzales from office

2007-04-16T01:01:00.001-07:00

Tuesday March 20, 2007

Human Rights advocates and civil liberarians should push for removal of Bert Gonzales from office

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that civil libertarians and human rights advocates – including leaders in the Catholic Church and other religious formations -- should push for the immediate removal from office of National Security adviser Norberto Gonzales. He said that it was high time that Gonzales' record and advocacies, campaigns and justifications for them be subjected to scrutiny because Gonzales is 'a dangerous man and should not be allowed to be in government.'

"The man is incapable of objectivity and his judgment is severely impaired by his hatred of the progressive party-lists and their advocacies. He is a modern day Rasputin in the Macapagal-Arroyo cabinet, and his solutions to political crises serve to exacerbate the problems. He has become a powerful man in the Arroyo government, and his advice to the president having been accepted and implemented has resulted to the over 838 extrajudicial killings and the continuing harassment against progressive party-lists, their supporters and their very representatives in congress," he said.

"Even as Pres. Arroyo herself stands to be the highest official most accountable for the continuously worsening human rights situation in the country, the likes of Norberto Gonzales should also not be allowed to escape accountability. Gonzales works insiduously and maliciously, spreading lies against the progressive party-lists and goading the Armed Forces of the Philippines to escalate their attacks against political activists and human rights advocates," he said.

News reports confirm that Gonzales and other members of the Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP) were the most adamant in pushing for Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo's transfer to Leyte. Gonzales is also the strongest advocate for the persecution of the other progressive lawmakers and their disqualification from the May 2007 polls.

"Gonzales is pushing for the persecution of progressives and he advocates the manipulation and twisting of laws in the implementation of this agenda. He's a vicious anti-human rights advocate, but he cannot substantiate his charges against the progressive party-lists against whom he carries a personal vendetta. He is a dangerous man who has the ear of the president, and so long as he occupies a position in government, the extrajudicial killings will continue and remain a national policy. Working in a killer triumvirate with Armed Forces chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon and Defense secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Gonzales is hell-bent on initiating a full-scale pogrom against progressives and their supporters," he said.

Senatorial candidates challenged to explain stands on problems of hunger and widespread joblessness

Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran today said that despite Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's assertions that the economy has made an effective turnaround and is on the way to progress, latest statistics on humger incidence insist otherwise. According to the latest Pulse Asia Survey, hunger remains at a record-high 19 percent, with 3.4 million households saying they experienced starvation at least once in the past three months.In Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, hunger incidence worsened.

"Senatorial candidates should be prodded to give their economic platforms to address hunger and joblessness because these are among two of the biggest problems affecting a large majority of Filipinos. It's a higly unsound employment policy that the Arroyo govenrment is implementing now because it mostly relies of finding overseas jobs for Filipinos instead of local job generation. Joblessness means hunger and poverty," he said.

"Hunger incidence is still pegged at two-digit percentages because joblessness is still on the rise. The Arroyo government has been unable to create more jobs for Filipinos, but pushed thousands more outside the country to work abroad. Wages also remain pegged at P350 in the NCR, but figures from the National Wages and Productivity Commission state that a family of six members in the NCR needs at least P721 a day to meet its food and non-food needs," he said.

Citing stats from IBON Foundation, Beltran said that employment and underemployent are still at critical levels. Underemployment still remains high at 21.5% or some 7.2 million Filipinos still looking for additional work.

"Add this to the 2.8 million unemployed Filipinos and we have 10 million workers, or close to a third of the labor force, who are either jobless or if employed, still looking for more work," he said. As of January 2007, there were 309,000 domestic household help jobs created, as against only 74,000 manufacturing job," he concluded.#

IPU to visit detained lawmaker Beltran as soon as the delegation arrives on the 18th

2007-04-15T18:23:00.000-07:00

Sunday , April 15, 2007

IPU to visit detained lawmaker Beltran as soon as the delegation arrives on the 18th

Officials of the Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU) are set to visit Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran in his detention hospital room at the Philippine Heart Center on the afternoon of April 18, 2006. Beltran said that he was very much looking forward to their visit and expressed hope that the IPU's continuing interest in his case would add pressure for his release and the dismissal of the sedition and rebellion charges against him. IPU officials are also set to meet with Beltran's legal counsel, family members and officials of Anakpawis party-list including fellow Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano.

"My arrest and continuing detention is a black and white, clear-cut case of political repression. The government has no concrete or credible proof that I plotted with members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to overthrow Pres. Arroyo in late February last year. In the meantime, the court hearings have dragged on and were held very far and between. I've spent more than a year of my life incarcerated on false charges and fabricated testimonies. I am hopeful that the IPU will take my side and use its diplomatic authority to recommend my release," he said.

The veteran labor leader turned legislator, now 74 years old, said that the Macapagal-Arroyo administration refusal to release him even on the grounds that he is already a senior citizen reveals the government's callousness and extreme lack of compassion.

"Of course my release should not hinge on the fact that I'm 74 years old but on the fact that I am innocent of the charges the government has laid down against me. A fair, objective and unbiased investigation and review of the facts and circumstances surrounding my arrest and continuing detention will reveal that the government had me arrested out of a malicious intent to weaken the advocacy of the progressive party-list that I represent. I am guilty of nothing but being vocal in my criticism against the government's anti-poor and anti-people economic policies and its relentless attacks against the civil, political and human rights of the Filipino people," he said.

Beltran demanded that the various government officials including those in the police and the military as well as the Department of Justice (DOJ) will not lie when asked by the IPU about his case. In any case, Beltran said, the documents and other evidentiary materials will reveal who is saying the truth and who's lying.

"Sana maging tapat sila at hwag magsinungaling. Hwag nilang bolahin ang mga taga-IPU. I was arrested on February 25 on a 15 year-old rebellion charge that had lapsed and been dismissed long before. I have not plotted with or even spoken to a single member of the disgruntled group of soldiers about Pres. Arroyo. I was arrested for purely political reasons and not because I committed any crime against the government. Freedom of dissent and freedom of expression are rights guaranteed by the Constitution, but Pres. Arroyo and her various henchmen have long begun to abolish these bit by bit," he said.

The IPU delegation investigating the worsening repression against progressive lawmakers will be led by Sen. Sharon Carstairs of Canada and the IPU's secretary general, Anders B. Johnsson of Sweden. Carstairs is vice president of the IPU's committee on human rights of parliamentarians, which is headed by Senator Franklin Drilon. The Geneva-based IPU counts 143 national parliaments and seven regional parliamentary assemblies.

While in the country, the IPU leaders will conduct dialogues with House Speaker Jose de Venecia and Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr., human rights committee chairman; justice secretary Raul Gonzalez; defense sec. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr; interior and local local government sec. Ronaldo Puno; National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzalez; Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Calderon; Armed Forces chief General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.; Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr.; and Commission on Human Rights chair Purificacion Quisumbing.

AFP chief of staff Esperon should order AFP command in Panay to surface and release abducted activists

2007-04-13T18:24:00.000-07:00

Friday, April 13, 2007

AFP chief of staff Esperon should order AFP command in Panay to surface and release abducted activists

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today demanded that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) local command in Panay island immediately surface and release alive and unharmed the leaders of Anakpawis Party-list they abducted yesterday. He challenged AFP chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon to surrender the officials and commanders of the AFP command in Panay and have them take account for the shooting and abduction of the activists.

Anakpawis National Council Member and Panay Coordinator Nilo Arado, human rights advocate and Bayan Muna Regional (Region VI) Coordinator Leeboy Garachico, and Ma. Luisa Posa-Dominado were attacked yesterday by unknown armed operatives while they were on their way from the province Antique.

A vehicle overtook the pick-up where the militant leaders were riding, shot Garachico on the neck and forcibly took Arado and Posa-Dominado. Garachico is currently confined in a hospital in Panay, while Arado and Dominado are still missing.

Arado is a respected peasant leader in Panay, is the Secretary-General of Paghugpong sang mga Mangunguma sa Panay kag Guimaras (PAMANGGAS – a Panay-wide alliance of farmers).

Beltran, who also is Anakpawis National Political Party chairman, said that Arado's abduction and the attempted murder of Garachico are without doubt the doings of the AFP. He said that Esperon immediately order the AFP local command in Panay to surface Arado and Posa-Dominado.

"We won't hear any more of the AFP's lies. The military is directly behind these atrocities. All of Esperon and Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's declarations that the military institution respects human rights are all out and out lies. The continuing harassment and violence the leaders, members and supporters of the progressive party-lists are subjected to are the doings of the AFP and their paramilitary arms. We demand that Esperon and Pres. Arroyo herself order the release of Arado and Luisa, and take responsibility for the attempted slay of Leeboy," he said.

"The closer the elections come, the harder the military will attack the ranks of supporters and leaders of the progressive party-lists. We ask the leadership of the various religious formations to call intensify their call to the government that it immediately stop its brutal campaign of extrajudicial killings and abduction of activists and human rights activists," he said.

Beltran also reiterated the call to senatorial candidates to speak out against the continued attacks against the progressive party-lists. "The attacks against us are attacks against the wide constituency we serve and represent. More than undermining the economic rights of Filipinos and burying them under the mountain of worsening poverty, the Macapagal-Arroyo government is guilty of massive human rights violations. Macapagal-Arroyo ahs brought back the dark days of the Marcos dictatorship when the military ran amok and arrested, abducted and executed civilians on the basis of their being sympathetic to activist causes. The administration's continuing disrespect and violation of the Filipino people's political rights is a thousand times worse than its already weighty crime of stealing from the people through corruption," he said.

Solon decries arbitrary removal of 1.13 voters' names from official Comelec list; demands Comelec explain the methods it used to verify the names

2007-04-12T18:27:00.000-07:00

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Solon decries arbitrary removal of 1.13 voters' names from official Comelec list; demands Comelec explain the methods it used to verify the names

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that the Commission on Elections should not have removed more than one million supposedly unqualified voters from the official voters list for the May polls.

The Comelec has removed some 1.13 million names from the from the list including the so-called "flying voters" and double registrants. According to reports, the National Capital Region (NCR) posted the highest number of deleted unqualified voters with 73,430 while in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) some 6,059 were removed from the list.

"The Comelec should reveal the means and methods it employed to verify and cross-check the names of voters it removed from the official list of voters. Did the Comelec even bother to consult or inform those whose names they removed? That's over a million names, and that well translates into a million votes. The previous election in 1994 already witnessed the disenfranchisement of countless Filipinos voters who aimed to vote against Macapagal-Arroyo; now there's the big possibility that a large percentage of the 1.13 million names the Comelec arbitrarily removed are those of active voters, but now their votes would no longer be counted," he pointed out.

"What will the Comelec do when the owners of these 1.13 names actually show up at the precincts and find that they have been disenfranchised, their names nowhere in the list of voters?"

Beltran said that the progressive party-list groups Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party along with two others Kabataan Party-List and Suara Bangsa Moro also stand to be victimized by the removal of over 1.13 million names from the official voters' list.

"In the 2004 polls, many of our supporters in the National Capital Region and the Mindanao region complained that they were turned away at the voting precincts because they were supposedly unregistered. We don't see it as a harmless coincidence that it's the areas where we have a strong following that many voters are being disenfranchised," he said. "We are already being targeted for fraud, and the beneficiaries will be the fake party-list groups funded by the Arroyo government."

Beltran, Anakpawis National party chairman and first nominee, said that the Comelec should not discard the 1.13 names yet and create an immediate back-up list and records that should be on constant stand-by. "Before the Comelec rids of any names, it should first make the effort of verifying and cross-checking the names and make sure that these people are aware that they are being threatened with disenfranchisement. A lesson we have learned in the 2004 elections is that the powers-that-be in Malacanang utilized more sophisticated means of cheating by directly tampering with the election returns, and no longer merely relying on flying or dead voters. It is not delisting of names that will protect the May polls, but the eagle-eye monitoring and guarding of the election paraphernalia, the actual voting process, the tabulation in the precincts and the transfer and surrender of election returns," he concluded.

Voters' distrust for GMA, her officials should be transformed into vigilance during May polls to safeguard votes, election returns from fraud

2007-04-12T18:25:00.000-07:00

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Voters' distrust for GMA, her officials should be transformed into vigilance during May polls to safeguard votes, election returns from fraud

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that Pulse Asia's recent survey results revealing the public's low level of trust for key officials and supporters of the Arroyo administration were not surprising. President Arroyo and former President Fidel Ramos have public distrust ratings of 41 and 43 percent, respectively. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr and Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos also have low trust ratings.

"Many Filipinos have become cynical when it comes to the government and its officials, especially in the last six years under Macapagal-Arroyo. Official government pronouncements such as those declaring a state of national recovery for the economy are received with indifference because Filipinos neither see nor experience any improvement in their economic lives. As for the peace and order situation, it continues to worsen in the same way that the human rights situation also deteriorates. The government itself does not give Filipinos any reason to trust it, much less have faith in it," he said.

Beltran said that the May polls draw closer, Filipinos will be even more cynical of the chances of the elections being a genuinely democratic exercise practiced and implemented with honesty and credibility.

"As more surveys revealing the public's sentiment against the Arroyo government, its officials and its candidates are released, the greater the pressure is on the administration to cheat and rig the elections. We hope that this strong distrust for the government and key officials will push more Filipinos to be watchful and vigilant by guarding the polls, from the actual process, to the canvassing, and the turnover of the election results to the Comelec."

"It's already impossible for the Macapagal-Arroyo administration to win back the trust of majority of Filipinos. It has completely lost all credibility when Pres. Arroyo herself was exposed of rigging the results of the presidential elections in 2004. The election season has refreshed voters' memory of the 'Hello, Garci' scandal and Arroyo's Team Unity is also tainted. The only way that Team Unity can score a clean and honest victory is if there were no other candidates running against its slate and people has no alternative," he said.

Detained lawmaker demands court-martial for commander and members of AFP's 101st IB behind killing of 9-year old in Compostela Valley

2007-04-10T01:17:00.000-07:00

Tuesday , April 10, 2007

Detained lawmaker demands court-martial for commander and members of AFP's 101st IB behind killing of 9-year old in Compostela Valley

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today demanded justice for the slain nine-year Grecil Galacio who was killed in cold blood by the Armed Forces of the Philippines' 101st Infantry Brigade in Compostela Valley. Grecil had just finished Grade 2 at the Simsimen Elementary School. He said that the national and international human rights community should condemn Grecil's killing.

Last March 31 as Grecil was pacing between her parents' house and the nearby river, she was shot by members of the 101st IB. A bullet went through her right elbow and another bullet entered her skull, practically oblitering it.

Beltran demanded the immediate sacking of Brigadier General Carlos Holganza, commander of the 101st IB who defends the brutal shooting of the child by saying that it was part of a legitimate encounter with communist insurgents. He charged AFP chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon to immediately court-martial Holganza as well as all the members of the 101st IB.

"These men deserve to rot in jail for killing an innocent child and subjecting her family to such terrible depths of anguish. In the twisted logic and blind desperation of the AFP to defeat the New People's Army (NPA) it has long taken to targeting innocent civilians including children and justifying their execution as part of the anti-insurgency campaign. Grecil's killing should not be allowed to be swept under the rug, the child's death must not be allowed to be dismissed as yet another statistic in the military's long list of victims," he said.

Beltran, a grandfather and great-grandfather, said that the brutality of the AFP's 101st IB deserves national and international condemnation. He also said that Holganza should be pilloried for his lackadaisical justification for Grecil's killing.

"Where's their proof? How dare they shoot and kill civilians without clear, concrete and indisputable proof that she was a member of the NPA? There are international laws governing the involvement of children and minors in liberation movements and armed revolutionary groups including the NPA. Holganza is trying to justify the fatal mistake his men made by hiding behind the allegation that Grecil was an NPA and that the NPA have child soldiers," he said.

"The main problem with the AFP is not only is its leadership rotten with corruption, its ranks have become nothing but unthinking, unfeeling killing machines who have no respect for civilian authority much less the life of civilians. Esperon should be burdened with the responsibility of investigating this brutality of the AFP troops. He should not be allowed to simply take the word of Holganza that the shooting was all in the line of duty," he said. #

GMA's various courts, commissions and instrumentalities to supposedly address extrajudicial killings are oriented to absolve Palparan

2007-04-10T01:16:00.000-07:00

Tuesday , April 10, 2007

GMA's various courts, commissions and instrumentalities to supposedly address extrajudicial killings are oriented to absolve Palparan

"Palparan's every triumph is a tragedy for the Filipino people's fight for justice and human rights. Sec. Gonzalez' decision to absolve Palparan affirms the belief of many that the Macapagal-Arroyo administration is incapable of meting justice for the victims of the political and extra-judicial killings."

This was the reaction of Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran regarding Gonzalez' decision to clear retired Major General Jovito Palparan Jr. over the murder of Edilberto Napoles Jr. and the frustrated murder of Ruel Landicho on May 28, 2002.

"The Macapagal-Arroyo government and its agencies continue to absolve Palparan and the pattern has been set. It's become evident that the instrumentalities and quasi-judicial bodies that Pres. Arroyo keeps putting up in supposed response to the demands of the international human rights community are actually oriented towards clearing Palparan. The various courts and commissions Pres. Arroyo has established are nothing but venues wherein Palparan can wash himself of the blood of the human rights advocates and political activists he ordered executed," he said.

Palparan was charged at the Regional Trial Court of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, but State Prosecutors Glenda Cabello-Marin, Melvin Abad and Sebastian Caponong finding no probable cause to indict Palparan and M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario.

Records show that Napoles and Landicho on May 2, 2002 received a text message from a Bayan Muna staff named Ramir de la Cruz telling them that soldiers had barged into the Bayan Muna office in Barangay Lumangbayan, Calapan. When Napoles and Landicho arrived, they entered into a debate with five soldiers headed by Hilario, spokesman of the Army's 204th Infantry Brigade which Palparan commanded. Twenty-six days later two men, identified later as Aniano Flores and Larry Aparato, allegedly broke into the Bayan Muna office and shot Napoles and Landicho.

"Palparan has the full support and backing of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration. It's clear that so long as Pres. Arroyo remains in power, Palparan will also be protected and immune to criminal prosecution. As for Sec. Gonzalez, the extreme animosity he bears for the progressive party-lists and their lawmakers has rendered him incapable of meting out justice, and it's most likely that he will always discriminate against the victims and families of Palparan because they're all affiliated with the progressive party-lists and their allied people's organizations. Gonzalez has become a notorious Palparan groupie, joining Pres. Arroyo and National Security adviser Norberto Gonzales," he concluded. #

Macapagal-Arroyo government would do better to dismiss all charges against progressive lawmakers before Inter-Parlimentary Union delegation arrives

2007-04-09T01:16:00.000-07:00

Monday , April 9, 2007

Macapagal-Arroyo government would do better to dismiss all charges against progressive lawmakers before Inter-Parlimentary Union delegation arrives next week, April 18

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today said that the Macapagal-Arroyo administration should dismiss the sedition and rebellinon charges against him as well as all other criminal charges against fellow progressive lawmakers fellow Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo, Joel Virador, and Teddy Casino; and Gabriela Women's Party Rep. Liza Maza before the delegation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) arrives in the country next week, April 18, 2007.

"Unless the Macapagal-Arroyo government acts in interest of justice and dismiss all the malicious and fabricated charges against the bloc of progressive lawmakers, it will be subjected to even greate international condemnation," Beltran said.

"There is no masking the Arroyo administration's true motives to stifle and crush the most militant voices of dissent in the House of Representatives. It has been resorting to the most underhanded means to criminalize the progressive party-lists and their lawmakers, and this has not escaped the attention of the international community. We will expose down the smallest detail all the various machinations and mechanisms the Arroyo administration and its various agencies have employed to criminalize us when the IPU delegation arrives in the country next week.

The IPU delegation investigating the worsening repression against progressive lawmakers will be led by Sen. Sharon Carstairs of Canada and the IPU's secretary general, Anders B. Johnsson of Sweden. Carstairs is vice president of the IPU's committee on human rights of parliamentarians, which is headed by Senator Franklin Drilon. The Geneva-based IPU counts 143 national parliaments and seven regional parliamentary assemblies.

While in the country, the IPU leaders will conduct dialogues with House Speaker Jose de Venecia and Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr., human rights committee chairman; justice secretary Raul Gonzalez; defense sec. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr; interior and local local government sec. Ronaldo Puno; National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzalez; Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Calderon; Armed Forces chief General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.; Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr.; and Commission on Human Rights chair Purificacion Quisumbing.

"I am grateful to the IPU for its continuing support for my campaign to be released and its constant monitoring of the developments in my case. When Sen. Carstairs and secretary-general Johnson arrive, I will make sure to thank them. The IPU is an internationally recognized institution and its interest and subsequent alarm over the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines and in particular the persecution of activist lawmakers will further train the spotlight on the Macapagal-Arroyo administration. Sec Raul Gonzalez, on the meantime, should try to learn better manners when the foreign dignitaries arrive and not resort to name calling when unable to credibly debunk the conclusions of their findings,' he said.

The veteran labor leader turned legislator has been incarcerated since February 25, 2006 and has consistently refuted all charges of inciting to sedition and rebellion laid down against him by the Arroyo government. He has refused to be arraigned and said that he will exhaust legal measures to demand his release and the dismissal of all charges.

"Not a single iota in the charge sheets against me can be proven true. The testimonies of the witness the Department of Justice has scrounged up from nowhere are all fabricated. In the interest of justice, I hope that the Supreme Court will lay down a temporary restraining order on the Makati and Quezon City lower courts where the cases against me are being heard and take jurisidction over them. I am most certain that the Supreme Court justices, once they examine the details surrounding my arrest as well as the various supposed evidence and testimonie pointing towards my alleged guilt will immediately see the falsity of the charges against me," he said.#

The case against Satur is very weak; the charges against me are even weaker – Rep. Beltran

2007-04-04T01:15:00.001-07:00

Wednesday , April 4, 2007

The case against Satur is very weak; the charges against me are even weaker – Rep. Beltran

"The government's case against Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo was very weak; the charges against me are even weaker. The Supreme Court Justices who laid down the just and humane decision to allow Ka Satur Ocampo temporary liberty and set the tone for the possibility of the outright dismissal of all the charges agains him should also look into my case. I am most confident that they will find that the charges against me are false and all the supposed evidence and testimonies used to justify my illegal arrest are also fabricated."

This was the statement of Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran a day after Ocampo was released.

Beltran appealed to the Supreme Court to assume juridistion over his case 'in the interest of justice and in accordance with the law because I have been unjustly detained for 14 months on the basis of a warrant that has long lapsed. The CIDG and the PNP used the same warrant the Marcos administration issued in 1982 for my arrest as well as the arrest of Kilusang Mayo Uno founding chairman Felixberto 'Ka Bert' Olalia. The illegal arrest alone is basis enough to throw out the case against me,' he said.

"In the interest of justice and in the spirit of upholding the law, the High Court should assume jurisdiction over my case by issuing a temporary restraining order on the two lower courts handling the sedition and rebellion cases against me and elevate my case. To say that the deliberations on my case are slow-moving is an understatement," he said.

Beltran said that his innocence of the charges can be easily and painlessly proven "If only the judicial bodies in charge of my case would listen, analyze the facts of the case objectively and without bias or even fear of repercussions from Malacanang and the DOJ," he said. "That the government and the courts assigned to my case continue to hold me in detention is quite blatantly a case of political repression. I appeal to the Supreme Court to uphold justice, protect my rights as a citizen and a lawmaker, and review the merits of the case and charges against me as well as the political motives and social circumstances that shaped them," he said.

It will be recalled Beltran was forcibly taken to Camp Crame February 25 last year without being presented a warrant prior to his arrest. He was questionby elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detention Group under the Office of the Anti-Organized Crime and Businessmen Concerns Division, a day after Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's declaration of a state of emergency via Proclamation 1017. Beltran, along with his wife Rosario and four other companions, were accosted by a certain Maj. Rene Corpuz and another unidentified person, both reportedly from the CIDG, at the gate of Francisco III Subdivision in Muzon, Bulacan. Both inviting officers did not present a warrant and were both in uniform and armed. Beltran and his group were escorted by two armed personnel in Rep. Beltran's van, followed by a black van bearing the plate number GRP-134, to Camp Crame.

Beltran's legal counsel Atty. Romeo T. Capulong has already presented incontrovertible evidence against the rebellion charge, challenging the charges as pure concoctions. He also said that Beltran's name was not mentioned in the supposed documents presented by the PNP in their complaint to the Department of Justice which in turn immediately prosecuted the case.

Atty. Capulong also presented evidence refuting accusations that Beltran attended the 10th Plenum of the Communist Party of the Philippines for six months from August 1992 to February 1993, including Beltran's planner of activities for 1992, and his passport issued in 1990 with an expiry date of 1995, emphasizing that the documents show that Beltran even logged in travels to Osaka, Japan and France during the supposed period of the plenum. It was also revealed that the day and time when Beltran was supposedly meeting with renegade members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines plotting against the Arroyo government, he was actually in the House of Representatives delivering a privileged speech.#

Fellow senior citizen Beltran gives birthday reminders to PGMA on her 60th birthday

2007-04-04T01:15:00.000-07:00

Wednesday , April 4, 2007

Fellow senior citizen Beltran gives birthday reminders to PGMA on her 60th birthday

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran issued birthday reminders to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo whose 60th birthday falls tomorrow, April 5.

"It's said that people who celebrate their birthdays should use the day to do good for other people; but President Arroyo is going to celebrate her birthday with so may economic and political issues in the country unresolved. Birthdays are times when people should take stock of their recent deeds and past experiences, and sadly, President Arroyo has to be reminded that in the last year of her existence and her presidency, there have been more extrajudicial killings of human rights activists and journalists; more attacks against progressive lawmakers and the supporters of their party-lists; and heightened political repression because of the heightened interference of the military in civilian affairs," he said.

The 74-year old Beltran said that Pres. Arroyo may be getting along in years, "But sadly it doesn't appear that she's also getting along in wisdom. It's a tragedy that she has taken to indirectly emulating the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos as her role model for president. She has started her senior-citizen years as a president who condones human rights violations and lauds the perpetrators in the Armed Forces of the Philippines," he said.

"As a senior citizen, all the more should be thinking about the welfare of the younger generation of Filipinos and what kind of government, what kind of country they will inherit. She is not serving as a good example for younger Filipinos, and certainly her economic policies attack the welfare of the older ones," he said.#

Rep. Beltran on the third day of second round of fasting; calls for sympathy and support for Tagaytay 5 who are on hunger strike

2007-04-03T01:14:00.001-07:00

Tuesday April 3, 2007

Rep. Beltran on the third day of second round of fasting; calls for sympathy and support for Tagaytay 5 who are on hunger strike

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran is now on his third day of fasting, but it was not for his own health or welfare that he sounded the alarm but for fellow political detainees collectively known as the Tagaytay 5. Beltran began his first round of fasting late March in protest of his continuing detention, the arrest of Bayan Muna Satur Ocampo, and the continuing attacks against members of progressive party-lists and people's organizations. This second round is in solidarity with and in support of the Tagaytay 5.

The Tagaytay 5 or Riel Custodio, Axel Pinpin, Aristides Sarmiento, Enrico Ybanez and Michael Masayes embarked on a hunger strike which began on March 6, 2007. As of April 2 reports, the political detainees' health have visibly worsened and they are all severely weakened. All have are victim of abduction, arbitrary detention, incriminatory machinations, torture, inhumane treatment at the hands of the Philippine National Police (PNP). As a consequence of the hunger strike, Pinpin and Custodio have now become bed-ridden and unable to get up.

The five men where traveling along Ligaya Drive, Brgy. Sungay, Tagaytay City when they forcibly arrested by an estimated 30-40 elements of the PNP. For seven days they were kept blindofolded and hogtied; interrogated without the presence of legal counsel, physically abused and threatened with electrocution and summary execution. They have since then been charged as members of the New People's Army (NPA) when their credentials as members and staff of the Katipunan ng mga Magsasaka sa Kabite (or Kamagsasaka-Ka) and the Cavite Farmers Consultative Council (CFCC) right up to the time they were arrested.

"The Macapagal-Arroyo administration continues to flout civil and human rights and remains a staunch supporter of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the PNP's escalating attacks against civilians and activists. As of Dec. 2006, the Arroyo government keeps 232 political prisoners, and refuses to heed the call of human rights groups that these civilians be immediately released. The case of the Tagaytay 5 is yet another glaring proof that this government will resort to the most inhumane and devious tactics to criminalize activists," he said.

Beltran, 74, is second-time political detainee. The first time was under the Marcos dictatorship when he was detained for two years after the August 13, 1982 Crackdown on the militant trade union movement. Now he is a detainee under the Arroyo regime, charged with inciting to sedition and rebellion. He has been detained for 14 months now since he was arrested February 25, 2006 on the anniversary of EDSA People Power 1. He was originally detained in Camp Crame but because of high blood pressure, diabetes and other related illnesses, he was transferred to the Philippine Heart Center where he is under 24-7 guard by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

"If it had not been for the strong assertion of human rights and cause oriented groups on my behalf, I would have been forced to remain as a political detainee in Camp Crame. I have no illusions that I would have been treated with special care while under the direct custody of the PNP; ironically, it has been my unstable health that has kept me alive because I have to doubts either that my life would've been cut short had I been detained in Camp Crame."

"It is then with deep anger and outrage that I protest against the continuing detention of the Tagaytay 5 and the rest of the political prisoners all over the country. On a daily basis they are subjected to various forms of torture, ranging from physical, mental and emotional. Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo must be made to take responsibility for the inhumane treatment the PNP subjects the political detainees to, particularly the Tagaytay 5."

Beltran said that the candidates of Macapagal-Arroyo's Team Unity should be defeated in the May elections because they will only perpetuate Macapagal-Arroyo's rule as a condoner of human rights violations and a protector of human rights violators and masterminds of extra-judicial killings. He said that he will continue to fast for the entire duration of the Holy Week in protest of the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines.#

After Satur's case, Supreme Court should look into mine – Beltran

2007-04-03T01:14:00.000-07:00

Tuesday April 3, 2007

After Satur's case, Supreme Court should look into mine – Beltran

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today lauded the decision of the Supreme Court to allow the temporary release of Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo upon the placement of P100,000 bail bond.

"This is a most just and humane decision which we hope would eventually lead to Ka Satur's complete release and the dismissal of all criminal charges against him," Beltran said.

Beltran in the meantime also issued an appeal to the Supreme Court to lay down a favorable decision on his own pending petition at the SC calling on the High Court to assume jurisdiction over his case given the slow movement in the lower courts. The inciting to sedition case versus Beltran is filed at the Quezon City Municipal Trial Court Branch 43 while the rebellion case against him ins with the Makati Regional Tria Court Branch 150.

"My innocence is very easy to prove and the charges against me as well as the false testimonies used to secure my arrest are also easy to debunk and expose as pure fabrications. The Supreme Court's higher authority should be consulted on the veracity of the charges against me, as well as the illegal manner by which I was arrested. I was arrested on February 25, 2006 on the basis of a lapsed warrant, on rebellion charges that have already been dismissed," he said.

Beltran said that his counsels filed its petition for certiorari last November 2006 but up to now no decision have been laid down. He expressed hope that given the swiftness of the SC's action on Ocampo's case, the SC will also deem it fit to address his own petition and call for justice.

"This is an urgent petition calling on the SC to step into the breach and impose a TRO on the unjust decisions being laid down by the courts on the case. With a TRO on the RTC decisions, we can move forward with other legal moves to that will and should lead to the dismissal of the charges against me. I hopeful that the SC will see the merits of the arguments and, more importantly, the moral basis of the assertions of my innocence." #

Voters must throw a monkey wrench into the bowels of the Macapagal-Arroyo fraud machinery and sabotage its operation

2007-04-02T01:12:00.000-07:00

Monday April 2, 2007

Voters must throw a monkey wrench into the bowels of the Macapagal-Arroyo fraud machinery and sabotage its operation

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee today said that even if the Macapagal-Arroyo camp's political machinery were the best in the world, its Team Unity candidates will not still not secure majority of the Filipino people's votes this May.

"It's not so much a campaign or political machinery that the Macapagal-Arroyo has, but a fraud-generating machine. The credible exercise of the supposedly democratic process of elections is not possible under the Macapagal-Arroyo administration. Even as it continues to publicly deny and dispute the surveys that indicate the poor chances of its Team Unity candidates securing victory, privately the Arroyo camp has already begun to prepare measures that will undermine the results of the polls. The continuing presence of the troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the urban centers and residential communities can also be taken as part of these efforts. As in May 2004, the AFP was mobilized to ensure the security of the polling precincts but most likely what they protected were those who switched ballots, election returns, and other electoral paraphernalia," he said.

"There will be hell to pay if Team Unity secures a majority victory because everyone knows the impossibility of this. Team Unity can only win against the Genuine Opposition with the use of massive fraud including the disenfranchisement of millions of voters. The same explanation goes for the chances of the Arroyo administration's party-lists winning big against the progressive party-lists Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party and their sister party-lists Kabataan Party and Suara Bangsa Moro."

The detained activist lawmaker said that Filipinos must throw a monkey wrench into the bowels of the Macapagal-Arroyo fraud machinery and sabotage its operation. "There is no other way to protect the conduct and results of the May elections than to maintain the strictest vigilance against all of the government's attempts to initiate fraud. We cannot have a repeat of the May 2004 polls wherein a cheater ascended to power and was shamed into admitting it yet still refused to step down. The winnability of the candidates of Team Unity are inevitably connected to the popularity of the Macapagal-Arroyo, and for the longest time she has been getting the worse negative ratings," he said.

"Pres. Arroyo must be rudely awakened from her delusions that she and her candidates are loved and supported by the Filipino people or that this support will transform into votes come May. Short of threatening each and every single voter, Filipinos will not give Macapagal-Arroyo's Team Unity a landslide victory, not even a minor soil erosion of victory."

Beltran said that Macapagal-Arroyo has not only failed but betrayed her mandate as president. "She already stole the office, the least she could have done is used her stolen powers to implement genuine economic reforms that will give direct and concrete benefit to the poor and working people such as employment, higher wages, and lower costs of basic social services. Her candidates in Team Unity will no different, there is no hope to be had from supporting her slate," he concluded.#

Continuing detention of progressive lawmakers proof of rotten criminal justice system in RP

2007-04-02T01:11:00.000-07:00

Monday April 2, 2007

Continuing detention of progressive lawmakers proof of rotten criminal justice system in RP

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today expressed strong agreement with the assessment made by the Hong Kong-based Asian Legal Resource Center (ALRC) that there is a "rotten criminal justice system" in the Philippines and this is at the core of the government's failure to deliver justice to Filipinos.

"The justice system in the country is so rotten that the justice department is headed by the likes of Secretary Raul Gonzalez who is patently incapable of being fair and objective, not to mention patriotic and pro-Filipino," he said. "There is also a national security adviser by the name of Norberto Gonzales who has the authority to pressure provincial courts into filing charges against progressive lawmakers and officials of their party-lists."

According to ALRC, "command irresponsibility," the non-existent witness protection program, the bias of state officers toward victims and their families and the irregularities in investigation and prosecution are major obstacles to resolving extra-judicial killings."

Beltran said that the fact that there are over 830 extra-judicial killings that remain unsolved and there are two progressive lawmakers detained on false and trumped-up charges are more than enough testimony to the rottenness of the justice system. The activist lawmaker who is currently on the second day of his second round of fasting in two weeks said that he himself has been detained for 14 months on the strength of a lapsed warrant and blatantly bogus testimonies of false witnesses. He also said that fellow progressive solon Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo was also arrested and charged with murders that supposedly took place 20 years ago when the latter was actually under political detention.

Beltran expressed hope, however, that the Supreme Court would act favorably on Ocampo's case as well as well as on his. Last November, Beltran's lawyers filed a petition for certiorari calling on the High Court to assume jurisdiction over Beltran's sedition and rebellion cases given the slow movement of the said cases in the Makati Regional Trial Court and the Quezon City Municipal Trial Court.

"The criminal justice system in the country is so corrupt that it often only works for the rich and influential. An American Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith is convicted of rape is allowed to leave the confines of a local jail and transferred to the comfort of the American embassy. We are not even sure if he's still in the country or has been repatriated to the US," he said.

"And we haven't even considered the fact that the president of the country cheated her way to victory and her allies in the supposed lawmaking branch of government refused to even hear out two very valid impeachment complaints against her," he said.

PGMA washes hands off issue of AFP deployment in urban centers

On a related issue of AFP troop deployment, Beltran said that Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's decision to wash her hands off the matter proves that the military is all but running the government.

"Pres. Arroyo is way too afraid to offend or displease the Armed Forces of the Philippines so instead of ordering its troops to pull out of the urban poor communities in obeisance to the strong public clamor, she is washing her hands and letting the AFP decide on the matter," he said.

"All religious formations should condemn this undermining of civilian authority in favor of the military. There are already documented complaints coming from community residents against the troops' presence, and there is already an established atmosphere of fear and political repression in the areas where the troops are deployed. Pres. Arroyo has disregarded all these in her determination to keep the military's loyalty," he said.

The activist lawmaker slammed Pres. Arroyo's decision and said that her refusal to heed the public call for troop withdrawal is yet another compelling reason to defeat her Team Unity candidates. "The AFP troops are campaigning for the Team Unity slate while discouraging and even blatantly prohibiting supporters of opposition candidates as well as those of the progressive party-lists from making the rounds of the communities," he said.#

Macapagal-Arroyo flatters the AFP to avert any possibility of the military abandoning her

2007-04-01T01:11:00.000-07:00

Sunday April 1, 2007

Macapagal-Arroyo flatters the AFP to avert any possibility of the military abandoning her

In reaction to reports that Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had once more given praised to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) troops deployed in the Metro, Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran said that he was not surprised. He said that Pres. Arroyo remains the AFP's number one patron and supporter.

"As the election nears, Macapagal-Arroyo becomes even more desperately reliant on the AFP and its support, especially since any and all plan to conduct yet another massive campaign for electoral fraud cannot succeed without the full support and cooperation of the military," he said.

"Macapagal-Arroyo will not risk alienating or displeasing the military because it is, it is the only remaining institution that's issuing support for her administration. Even as she projects herself as the AFP's commander in chief, in truth she is living in fear that the AFP might abandon her side and leave her a sitting duck, vulnerable to the calls for her resignation and ouster. She's like the master of a Rottweiler feigning control over the beast, but is actually vulnerable to the beast's bite if its chain is yanked. Macapagal-Arroyo doesn't want to be bit, so she flatters and praises the AFP."

The activist lawmaker turned legislator reiterated his appeal for leaders of the Catholic church and other religious formations to step up their calls for the immediate pull-out of troops from the communities in the Metro. He also said that AFP deployment in the provinces where the progressive party-lists are also widely-supported should also be condemned.

"Macapagal-Arroyo will no longer lift a finger on her own to order the pull-out of troops. The militarization of the urban communities are all part and parcel of the comprehensive campaign of intimidation and political harassment the Arroyo administration is enacting against the Filipino people. It is up to the concerned sectors of society to continue pushing for the withdrawal of troops," he said.

Beltran said that the attempts of the AFP to appear benefactors and benevolent protectors of the peaces are all in vain, "Because residents are not fooled as to what their real motives are. The AFP's continuing presence in the communities all the more expose the paranoia of the government, and a paranoid government is dangerous. Neither has it escaped the awareness of residents that the AFP is targeting members and sympathizers of the progressive party-lists Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party. Building clinics or distributing groceries are a pathetically transparent cover, and these moves do not make up for the atmosphere of unease and repression that the troops create with their very presence," he said.

Beltran said that it was imperative that the troops be made to leave the communities way before the actual election date. He said that the troops were also there to survey the voting population in communities and use the information for the government stand-by plan for fraud. "We predict that the government will try to make it appear that the communities were the AFP troops were deployed will support the administration's Team Unity as well as the party-lists funded and backed by the administration. The AFP have even established their barracks in the barangay halls and centers, as well as the immediate periphery of schools which will be used as voting precincts come May," he said.#
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Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran once more began fasting today in solidarity with other political detainees in the Southern Tagalog Region, specifically the Tagaytay 5 and the Mamburao 6 who have been on hunger strike for a month.

More loans from the World Bank shows institution's support for Arroyo government's campaign of repression against Filipinos

2007-04-01T01:09:00.000-07:00

Sunday April 1, 2007

More loans from the World Bank shows institution's support for Arroyo government's campaign of repression against Filipinos

Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today slammed anew the international finance institution the World Bank and said that its continuing release of policy loans and other financial aid to the Philippines is to be blamed for the destructive dependence of the country on foreign aid which in turns sinks the country deeper into debt.

According to the reports, the World Bank recently announced that it will provide $600 million in annual assistance to the Philippines for the next two years as a sign of confidence. The World Bank and the Finance department signed the loan agreement for the $11-million NPSTAP yesterday.

World Bank officials have said that the institution seeks to reinforce and strengthen its support to the Macapagal-Arroyo government which has supposedly undergone an "important change."

"What we see here is this infamous global finance institution aiding and abetting the Macapagal-Arroyo administration's programs and policies that wreak havoc in the economic lives of the Filipino people. It is also highly doubtful that the WB is unaware of the increasing international pressure on the Arroyo government to stop its campaign of extrajudicial killings against political activists, human rights advocates and journalists. By extension, the WB is supporting not only the supposed economic reforms that the Arroyo government has embarked on, but also the political and military measures it has initiated to protect these same economic reforms, including those make the Philippines even more dependent on the WB," said Beltran.

Beltran reiterated the call of patriotic economists and local industrialists that the Philippines wean itself off foreign loans and cut back on foreign debts allocations. He said that the Philippines' reliance on foreign loans all the more tighten the control of the WB and its allied international business and consortiums over the Philippine economy.

"This is what's stunting local businesses, and ensuring that no genuine local industries are built and maintained. Foreign multilateral finance institutions like the WB and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) keep the Philippines on a short leash, held hostage to their demands and impositions when it comes to payment collection and perks and benefits for foreign businesses," he said.

The activist lawmaker said that it was long overdue that the country's relations and dependence on the WB be subjected to review and assessment. "No doubt it will be revealed that the country's economic backwardness is connected to the impositions of the WB and the Philippine government's slavish obeisance to these same policies. The Philippines has not benefited from its dealings from the WB but instead sacrificed much of its economic resources in a one-sided finance relationship."#

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

2007-03-30T01:08:00.000-07:00

Friday March 30, 2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007-03-29T01:08:00.000-07:00

Thursday March 29, 2007

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

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

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

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

Circulate the Alston report locally, internationally

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

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

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

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

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

2007-03-28T01:07:00.001-07:00

Wednesday March 28, 2007

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

"Number two always tries harder."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007-03-28T01:07:00.000-07:00

Wednesday March 28, 2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007-03-27T01:06:00.000-07:00

Tuesday March 27, 2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007-03-26T01:05:00.000-07:00

Monday March 26, 2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007-03-25T01:04:00.000-07:00

March 25, 2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007-03-25T01:03:00.000-07:00

March 25, 2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007-03-23T01:03:00.000-07:00

Friday March 23, 2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007-03-22T01:02:00.000-07:00

Thursday March 22, 2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007-03-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

Monday March 19, 2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007-03-19T00:58:00.000-07:00

Monday March 19, 2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007-03-17T00:58:00.000-07:00

Saturday March 17, 2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007-03-16T00:57:00.001-07:00

Friday March 16, 2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007-03-16T00:57:00.000-07:00

Friday March 16, 2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2007-03-15T00:56:00.000-07:00

Wednesday March 15, 2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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