Peasant leader replaces Beltran in Congress party-list

MANILA, Philippines – Peasant leader Rafael Mariano will replace the late Crispin Beltran as Anakpawis party-list representative, Speaker Prospero Nograles announced yesterday.

Mariano was an Anakpawis representative along with Beltran in the 13th Congress.

In last May’s elections, Beltran secured the lone representation of the party-list organization.

Mariano, former president of the militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), became the second nominee of the party-list.

After a tragic accident killed Beltran last Tuesday, Mariano will assume the position to represent Anakpawis in the 238-member House of Representatives in the 14th Congress, Nograles said.

“I have to swear him (Mariano) in first before his name can be included in the roster,” Nograles said.

Beltran succumbed to head injuries sustained in an accident at his residence in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan last Tuesday. He was 75.

Beltran fell as he was coming down after fixing the roof of his house. Doctors said Beltran sustained massive head injuries from the fall and efforts to revive him failed.

Beltran’s remains were returned to his home in Bulacan hours after doctors declared the militant lawmaker dead.

Relatives, friends and supporters continued to visit the wake even as the remains were transferred to the Iglesia Filipino Independiente (IFI) cathedral in Manila yesterday afternoon.

Sympathy continued to pour in for the family of Beltran.

Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III expressed grief over Beltran’s demise.

“Ka Bel was truly a defender of workers’ rights. With the passing away of Ka Bel, our nation lost a truly great and genuine labor leader,” he said.

Tañada said through Beltran’s efforts, workers have been recognized as a political force in our society.

The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) joined in sympathy with the family of Beltran.

NCCP secretary general Rev. Rex RB Reyes Jr. said Beltran was a man who preferred to mingle with the masses rather than with rich people.

Beltran had also dedicated his life to the fight for justice, Reyes said.

“He was misunderstood by those who held that life was all about being identified with the ruling elite. He was maligned by those threatened by his advocacy for just compensation for workers and land to the tillers... But he was loved by the toiling masses and all who cherished genuine freedom and peace,” Reyes said.

It was, however, unfortunate that Beltran did not live to see his dream of attaining true justice, peace and freedom, become a reality, he said. – With Evelyn Macairan, Christina Paguinto