Left-wing Congressman Crispin Beltran, 75, dies after falling from ladder

MANILA, Philippines: Left-wing Philippine lawmaker and veteran labor leader Rep. Crispin Beltran died Tuesday from head injuries after falling from a ladder at his house. He was 75.

Beltran led the country's largest left-wing labor federation — the May One Movement — and was arrested in 1982 under late dictator Ferdinand Marcos but escaped two years later and joined the underground anti-Marcos movement.

He resurfaced after Marcos was ousted in 1986.

Beltran had served as a congressman since 2001 and was a sharp critic of current President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

He joined three opposition attempts to impeach Arroyo for alleged election cheating and corruption.

[traveller]

Such a great loss, not only for the progressives but to the freedom and democracy-loving Filipinos.
Leaders of his mold are very rare in Philippine politics which is mainly dominated by the moneyed-class and their puppets. I wonder if we would ever have the likes of him (well, a few are in congress now) whose rise to the halls of leadership are bourne out of genuine desire to represent their constituents and push for their causes.

I have given up hope for this god-forsaken country
and have all the opportunity to live abroad if only to escape from this deplorable quagmire which is the Philippines. But the sight of well-meaning people (not necessarily progressives or the left-leaning groups)in the halls of congress has given me hope that maybe change will come.

I may not share some of his views but the genuine leadership he has and the sacrifices he has made made me believe that Filipinos still have a chance. I'm in my mid-40s now and would not pretend to believe that change could come overnight, but if we could see again another Ka Bel in Congress, or even more of his mold, then maybe we may see the end of the tunnel.

Indeed, such a tragic loss...

[traveller]

Honestly, I would have wished that all the "crocs" in Congress died at once instead of Rep. Beltran. Not even all their collective lives be worth the life of the "fallen" (pardon the pun)leader.

I convulsively puke at the sight of these crocs in Congress (both houses, of course)!!!

I hope I'm not going to bade Philippines goodbye...

[Naiiyak na ko sa Pinoy]

How come I missed that news?

I agree, it's a tragic loss. Although he is considered a leftist, his contribution to Philippine politics ironically strengthens democratic principles and ideals. In time our relief will come, but the spirit for the battle that he fought for will linger as long as the prevalence of the wicked and the perverted in Philippine democracy exists.

[Naiiyak na ko sa Pinoy]

traveller wrote:

Honestly, I would have wished that all the "crocs" in Congress died at once instead of Rep. Beltran. Not even all their collective lives be worth the life of the "fallen" (pardon the pun)leader.
I convulsively puke at the sight of these crocs in Congress (both houses, of course)!!!
I hope I'm not going to bade Philippines goodbye...

Ahem...hehe.. You're being a little carried away.. I understand, but no one deserves to die (wink)

[jardep USA]

traveller wrote:

Such a great loss, not only for the progressives but to the freedom and democracy-loving Filipinos.
Leaders of his mold are very rare in Philippine politics which is mainly dominated by the moneyed-class and their puppets. I wonder if we would ever have the likes of him (well, a few are in congress now) whose rise to the halls of leadership are bourne out of genuine desire to represent their constituents and push for their causes.
I have given up hope for this god-forsaken country
and have all the opportunity to live abroad if only to escape from this deplorable quagmire which is the Philippines. But the sight of well-meaning people (not necessarily progressives or the left-leaning groups)in the halls of congress has given me hope that maybe change will come.
I may not share some of his views but the genuine leadership he has and the sacrifices he has made made me believe that Filipinos still have a chance. I'm in my mid-40s now and would not pretend to believe that change could come overnight, but if we could see again another Ka Bel in Congress, or even more of his mold, then maybe we may see the end of the tunnel.
Indeed, such a tragic loss...

God forbids to forsake PI. It would be a catastrophe if PI will suffer eartquake as what happened recently in China; where 40,000 died and thousands are still missing; the recent cyclone in Myanmar where 134,000 died. I believe, God is with the Filipino people.

Let's pray for the repose of the soul of C. Beltran. May he rest in peace!

[blue]

Such a loss. We rarely have men like him nowadays.

[working girl of brooklyn]

blue wrote:

Such a loss. We rarely have men like him nowadays.

A bad day for the liberals. Today, Sen. Ted Kennedy was diagnosed to have malignant tumor.

[working girl of brooklyn]

malignant brain tumor...

[gacherry]

No record of being corrupt, died a poor man. He led a life fighting for the interest and welfare of his class. This country truly needs men of his kind. So long Ka Beltran....