KIKO: CONTINUE BELTRAN'S LEGACY, CONTINUE FIGHT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

In light of Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran's unexpected death, Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today expressed his condolences to the former Kilusang Mayo Uno chair's loved ones and urged the continued fight for human rights in the country.

"We are in disbelief, and we are deeply saddened by this tremendous loss, not only for the Beltran family and friends, but for Philippine democracy," Kiko said.

"We fought aggressively side by side Ka Bel against an overzealous administration that backed the EO464, the Calibrated Preemptive Response and PP1017, against the 'indecent proposal' to back a bogus impeachment complaint, and against his and fellow party list group lawmakers' illegal arrest and detention for rebellion charges. We must not forget these many battles that the late Rep. Beltran fought, and we must, in his legacy, push on with our efforts to promote human rights and restore the fear and respect for the rule of law," Kiko added.

"Ka Bel is one of the Philippines' foremost champions of civil liberties and social equity. We have been one with his ideals since the early days of the Marcos dictatorship, and while Ka Bel's role in our democracy can never be replaced, we take solace in the thought that his was a full life lived on solid principles, compassion for others and loyalty to the welfare of the Filipino worker," Kiko ended.