Press Release
May 28, 2008

Pia pays tribute to Ka Bel: "A patriot and true working class hero"

Senator Pia S. Cayetano paid tribute to the late Anakpawis Party-list Representative Crispin Beltran today as the remains of the veteran labor leader was honored at the House of Representatives before it is taken to his final resting place in Bulacan this afternoon.

"Ka Bel is a patriot and a true working class hero of our time. Every Filipino, not only the workers, owe to people like him many of the basic rights and freedoms we enjoy today," the lady senator said.

Citing from official accounts on Beltran's life achievements, Cayetano said Ka Bel showed willingness to sacrifice for country even at a young age when he volunteered as a courier for Filipino guerillas at the height of the Japanese occupation.

"Today's youth should also emulate Ka Bel's perseverance to get an education despite his family's poverty by taking on several odd jobs in order to support his studies."

"But the people will best remember his enduring commitment to fight for just wages and labor rights, resist repression as a labor leader and political prisoner during Martial Law, and overcome attacks on democracy as an opposition lawmaker under the current regime."

"Ka Bel leaves us, his fellow lawmakers, with the heavy responsibility of keeping his ideals and struggles alive in the halls Congress. But it is a burden that I'm sure my colleagues and I would be more than honored to carry."

News Latest News Feed