Beltran honored at House, laid to rest in Bulacan

MANILA, Philippines – Anakpawis Rep. Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran was honored by his colleagues in the House of Representatives yesterday, a few hours before he was finally laid to rest in Bulacan.

“This chamber is greatly diminished by the passing of Ka Bel. So is the Filipino nation. We will not see a man like him again for a long time,” said Speaker Prospero Nograles in his eulogy.

Nograles called him a “champion of the masses, a true man of the masses and an authentic Filipino patriot.”

“For the cause of workers and the masses, he was willing to sacrifice his life, and everything that he held most dear to his heart. 

“The trappings of high public office could never change the man that he was – an ordinary man who chose to embrace the difficult life of a freedom fighter and a voice of opposition against injustice and oppression,” Nograles added.

“The cruelty of a dictatorship failed to dim the fervor of his activism. The tribulations of incarceration did not diminish the fire of his patriotism. Poverty did not rob him of the fortitude of his convictions to dedicate his life to the upliftment of the plight of the poor.” 

During the necrological services, a mass was presided over by Fr. Joe Dizon, who apologized to the Beltran family for what he called the “act of ignorance” of the Catholic Church and its officials, who thought the late veteran peasant leader was an Aglipayan member.

Among those who attended, apart from the congressmen who are members of the current 14th Congress, were Beltran’s former colleagues, Senators Joker Arroyo and Francis Escudero, and former Reps. Etta Rosales, JV Bautista and Harry Angping, among others.

Beltran’s casket was draped with a Philippine flag. His family – wife Rosario, 10 children and several grandchildren – attended the necrological services, while his supporters – almost all of whom were wearing red shirts – filled the gallery, as they continuously chanted “Tuloy ang laban (The fight goes on).”

His colleague, women’s party-list group Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza, said she wore “his favorite red barong.” She added she still vividly remembered how Beltran would notice how some women wear pricey clothes even if it doesn’t look good on them.

Beltran’s comrade, former NDF spokesman and Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, also paid tribute to his dear friend, who he revealed even washes and irons his own clothes, and who almost always had coins in his pocket.

“All his life, he struggled. He lived simply and frugally. Being a member of Congress did not change his lifestyle. To and from work, he only rode on a borrowed SUV. Palibhasa may pinagmanahan kay Ka Bert Olalia,” he said.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, brother of slain labor leader Felimon “Popoy” Lagman, lamented the demise of an old friend. “There is a shortlist of genuine advocates of the disadvantaged Filipino worker. This shortlist had become shorter with the demise of Ka Bel.      – With Christina Paguinto