“The IPU strongly urges the authorities of the Philippines to honour their undertaking not to oppose Mr. Beltran’s release,” noting that the Supreme Court has dismissed on June 1 the rebellion charges against him and five other progressive legislators.

BY AUBREY MAKILAN
Bulatlat
Vol. VII, No. 18, June 10-16, 2007

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) urged the Philippine government, June 7, to honor its word to release Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Rep. Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran as it has earlier announced.

The IPU was alarmed at the continuing detention of Beltran. Beltran has been incarcerated for the last 15 months on charges that he plotted with renegade elements of the military to remove President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from power.

In the IPU’s June 7 statement, it noted that “following a mission of the IPU and its Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians to Manila in April this year, the (Philippine) Government stated publicly that it would no longer oppose Mr. Beltran’s release.”

“The IPU strongly urges the authorities of the Philippines to honour their undertaking not to oppose Mr. Beltran’s release,” noting that the Supreme Court has dismissed on June 1 the rebellion charges against him and five other progressive legislators. Despite this, Beltran remains under hospital arrest at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC). He was originally detained at the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNP GH) inside Camp Crame.

Established in 1889, the IPU is the oldest multilateral political organization with 147 affiliated parliaments and seven associated regional assemblies. The world organization of parliaments has an Office in New York. It has Permanent Observer status at the United Nations.

The IPU’s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians ensures that the human rights of the world’s parliamentary community – composed of more than 40,000 members – are respected.

Bail

Beltran’s counsels Romeo T. Capulong and Rachel Pastores filed on June 6 a motion asking the Supreme Court to make its decision on Beltran’s release from detention final and executory.

“I hope that having given me a heady foretaste of freedom, the SC will now proceed to grant me my full liberty,” said Beltran.

In the same petition, Beltran’s lawyers reiterated that he is entitled to bail since the High Court has already ruled that there is no probable cause for the rebellion charges filed against him.

The petition said that Beltran was not charged with rebellion but with conspiracy to commit rebellion, allegedly “conspiring and confederating” with others in forming a “tactical alliance” to commit rebellion, and thus a bailable offense.

Moreover, with the SC’s ruling that the inquest proceeding against Beltran is void, the lawyers reiterated that it has also ruled that “the warrantless arrest made against Beltran on February 25, 2006 was unlawful.”

Beltran’s lawyers said, “These are all grounds for Rep. Beltran’s immediate release upon the filing of this petition and our pleadings in the lower court,” referring to the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 where the rebellion case against Beltran is being heard.

Capulong also said that Beltran should be released on the basis of the SC’s ruling on the mandate of equal protection under the law.

“His case and that of the Batasan 5 are identical, if not analogous; but he’s the only one incarcerated,” said Capulong.
Rising hospital bill

Unlike the blood pressure of Beltran, the bill he continues to incur while under “hospital arrest” does not go down.

Beltran’s daughter Ofelia Balleta said that her parents are worried about his exorbitant hospital bills. She said they were just thankful to friends, allies and supporters for their financial assistance.

“Our finances which were never much to begin with have been severely drained because of this ordeal, but we have never been abandoned by supporters, including allies of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration,” she said.

With a net worth of only P27,250 ($592 at an exchange rate of $1=P45.96), Beltran ranked next to the poorest congressman, who is his fellow Anakpawis lawmaker Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano whose net worth is P25, 085 ($545).

Reacting to reports that leaders of the House of Representatives were willing to help shoulder Beltran’s bills at the Philippine Heart Center, Balleta said, “Bakit hindi? Any help so long as it’s seriously and sincerely given without strings attached is most welcome.” (Why not?)

“Even if many do not share Ka Bel’s advocacy or share his beliefs, it is patently clear to everyone that what has been done to him is a grave injustice,” she said.

Balleta also said that the Arroyo government should give them indemnification for more than a year of “injustice” and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez “should be the one to foot the bill” at the PHC.

“He is extremely lucky that Ka Bel did not have any serious and major health episodes while under confinement because that too would have added to the injustices he committed against us,” said Beltran’s daughter.

Counter charge

Meanwhile, Beltran’s chief of staff Ina Alleco Silverio said that the Beltran family is only waiting for the lawmaker’s release before getting down to the business of filing charges against Gonzalez and other officials “who orchestrated Beltran’s illegal arrest last year that lead to his incarceration.”

“In any case, Sec. Gonzalez need not lose any sleep over thinking whether or not the Beltrans will file charges against him for abuse of authority and malicious prosecution because they will. It’s only just a matter of time,” said Silverio.(Bulatlat.com)

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