If only for the work that remains undone
In the seven going on eight months that my boss, Rep. Crispin ‘Ka Bel’ Beltran has been unjustly detained on the false and trumped-up charges of rebellion, the legislative work of his office has suffered greatly. And this to the detriment of the basic sectors whose concerns fall directly under the jurisdiction of Ka Bel’ office. Included among the main concerns of Ka Bel’ office are the issues affecting labor; the urban poor; migrant workers; government employees and the civil service; and utilities and public service.
It’s been eight months since the Macapagal-Arroyo administration had Ka Bel incarcerated, and every single day since then, the interest of the poor and marginalized sectors of Philippine society whom Ka Bel steadfastly and loyally represents has not benefited. This administration should also be made to take responsibility for this: by illegally arresting and detaining Ka Bel, it has denied the poor and marginalized sectors a staunch defender and spokesperson.
It’s been most particularly frustrating that the House is having deliberations on the 2006 budget, and Ka Bel isn’t here. He has always been active in the budgetary debates, giving the sharpest and most critical analyses of the budget proposals for agencies that give direct service to the marginalized sectors.
Without Ka Bel, there have been noticeably less privileged speeches and exposes on the plight of the marginalized sectors. Even the staff of committees of which Ka Bel is a member have said that the committee meetings and hearings have not been the same without Ka Bel’s energetic participation.
We appeal to the members of the House regardless of political affiliations to support calls and petitions to have Ka Bel immediately released. She asked lawmakers to write Speaker Jose de Venecia and call on the House leadership to exert effort for the release of Ka Bel. We ask lawmakers to intercede on Ka Bel’s behalf and call on Speaker de Venecia to negotiate for Ka Bel, that he be immediately released into the custody of the House of Representatives.
No one can deny, not even the most vocal of Mrs. Arroyo’s supporters that Ka Bel is one of the most hardworking legislators, earnest and sincere in his work, and always eager to share his knowledge and promote his pro-poor advocacy. From 2001 when he first became congressman, Ka Bel has been an exemplary member of the House. He has been the recipient of awards consistently naming him one of the most outstanding congressmen and in fact he has already been elevated to the hall of fame. Also, he has been given the respect and recognition of leaders of labor organizations and political groups and long before he became congressman.
It’s a grievous betrayal of the interest of the poor and working people that Ka Bel remains detained. The Macapagal-Arroyo administration has put off hearing his case because it knows very well that it has nothing substantial and genuinely incontestable to pin Ka Bel down. If only to give the people back one of their staunchest defenders in congress, the government should release Ka Bel.
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Watched ‘High School Musical’ yesterday. It was a happy, feel good movie that allowed me to forget my immediate problems if only for an hour or so.
Made to think of issues of personal potential and expanding one’s horizons, developing one’s abilities and gifts. It’s the sort of movie I want my nieces and nephews to watch.
My close friend Walkie’s six year old daughter Ani is bonkers about High School Musical. She’s learning the songs by heart!
Walkie sez she feels a little worried that her six year old is learning all about crushes and personal conflicts with peers and other adolescent issues so early.
