Sympathies pour in for Beltran's family

(Updated 4:10 p.m.) MANILA, Philippines - Sympathies poured in for the family of the late Anakpawis partylist Rep. Crispin Beltran, who succumbed to severe head injuries after suffering a bad fall in an accident early Tuesday. Radio dzBB reported that messages of condolence and sympathy came from Malacañang, both houses of Congress, and even the Philippine National Police. In Malacañang, Presidential Management Staff head Cerge Remonde "mourned" the loss of a militant leader, and expressed sympathies to Beltran's loved ones. Remonde said the Cabinet learned of Beltran's death before noon, during its meeting in Bohol. "Our sincerest condolences. We lost a militant leader with his passing," Remonde said. For his part, Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez also expressed condolences for Beltran's death. "We mourn the untimely demise of one of the most respected labor leaders in the country, Rep. Crispin Beltran. He was a respected member of the House of Representatives where he represented the interests of our labor force and has been considered a vital figure in our country’s modern political history," Golez said. Also, Deputy Presidential Spokesman Lorelei Fajardo said the Palace shares Beltran's family's grief with the lawmaker's passing. Fajardo said despite differing on political views, Malacañang regarded Beltran with respect. "Our condolences to the family of the late Cong. Beltran. We share their grief in this time of great personal loss. While congressman Beltran and the Armed Forces may have stood at opposite poles in the pursuit of our respective mission, we regarded him with respect. Like many of our soldier-heroes, he stood for what he believed in. And in my personal view, he is a true Filipino," Fajardo said. At the Senate, Senate president Manuel Villar Jr hailed Beltran for showing an example of true public service. Senator Francis Escudero, a former opposition congressman who worked with Beltran at the House of Representatives, said Beltran's passing away was untimely saying the lawmaker could still have served the country well. "Hindi marapat at karapat-dapat na pumanaw siya dahil kailangan pa siya at marami pa siyang magagawa sa bansa (He should have not passed away yet because he is still needed and still has a lot of things to do for the country)," Escudero said. For his part, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said he admired not only Beltran's strong principles but also his simple lifestyle, noting that the late lawmaker still insisted on doing repairs in their own roof despite his old age. Cayetano said that while he does not agree with some of Beltran's stand on certain issues, he still considers the late party-list lawmaker as a "true reformist." At the Lower House, House Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr and Deputy Majority leader Rep. Neptali Gonzales II also gave out their sympathies to the loved ones left by Beltran. Both lawmakers expressed their grief over the death of who they consider as the "voice of human rights and masses in Congress." Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez, House Deputy Minority leader, said Beltran would be greatly missed not only by members of the House minority but by everyone in Congress. The progressive bloc in the Lower House, on the other hand, said they would continue Beltran's fight for workers' rights. Even Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon Jr mourned Beltran's loss. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV