Batasan 5 Leave House, Hailed as ‘People’s Heroes’

BY ZOFIA LEAL

Bulatlat

Posted 7:30 P.M. May 8, 2006

After 70 days of seeking protection at the House of Representatives, the “Batasan 5” finally left the Batasan Complex in Quezon City at exactly 11:05 this morning.

Party-list representatives Satur Ocampo, Teodoro Casiño and Joel Virador of Bayan Muna (People First), Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis (Toiling Masses), and Liza Maza of Gabriela stepped out of the building with their fists raised, and were hugged by their families and a cheering crowd.

Hundreds of supporters welcomed them with loud applause and chants of “Makibaka, huwag matakot!” (Fight! Do not fear!) Some were in tears at seeing the five whom they hailed as the “people’s heroes”.  The five were accompanied by other lawmakers including Representative Francis Escudero and Senator Jamby Madrigal. 

The gates of the Batasan Complex were opened symbolically by the five, who then  marched with their supporters towards Sandiganbayan where they boarded their vehicles and led a motorcade going to the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

Tomorrow, the five will visit Anakpawis Party-list Representative Crispin Beltran who is under police detention at the Philippine Heart Center.  Beltran has been detained by police after his arrest on Feb. 25 on rebellion charges.

The five legislators have sought the protective custody of the House of Representatives to avoid arrest after rebellion charges were filed against them by the Department of Justice.  On May 4, a Makati Regional Trial Court judge junked the amended information on the rebellion charges against the five, and removed any basis for their arrest. 

Ocampo said they decided to leave the House after consulting with their lawyers.  Their original plan was to leave on May 5 but were advised by their lawyers to postpone due to the continuous threats of arrests from the the DOJ and Philippine National Police.  Their announcement to leave the House was also a challenge to Malacanang on what they will do to them, Ocampo said. 

The representatives were thankful for the warm welcome from the people.  For Virador, he said it is a testament that the people’s movement for national democracy is still strong. 

After the program, the five lawmakers will finally come home to their families and do the things that they missed the most.  Virador said he will now be able to help in the house chores and eat with his family again.  Ocampo said he can now again assist his wife in the house duties such as cleaning and watering the plants.  

The five said they will lead mass actions for the immediate release of Beltran.  Bulatlat

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