Crispin Beltran’s final statement

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

For a man who dedicated his life to fighting against the system and issuing statements, he must never have imagined that even in his death caused by a freak accident, Crispin Beltran would still managed to drive home a point.

On the day his death was reported in the newspapers, a photo of his humble, barely finished bungalow, from the roof of which he fell whilst attempting to fix a leak, was featured on the front page of one widely read national broadsheet. In the other widely read national broadsheet, the headline announced that, according to her statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth, our President was richer by 11 million pesos in 2007.  On that same day, the House of Representatives also released a summary of the assets, liabilities, and net worth of its members, giving a public an idea of just how wealthy our elected officials are, or have become.

The image of the home of the poorest member of the House of Representatives, despite having the same kind of access to the pork barrel as his peers, reminded us that, in spite of all the accusations against our congressmen regarding their use (and abuse) of the pork barrel, there are still those who have chosen not to enrich themselves. Crispin Beltran may have been accused by the administration of using his pork barrel allocation to fund activist movements or even a rebellion, but at the very least, a quick look at his humble home would convince most observers that the pork barrel funds of this man did not find its way into his pocket.

It is not wrong for politicians to be wealthy. What is wrong is if they use their power, influence, and perks to become wealthier at the expense of the nation. As of December 31, 2007, after three terms as a party list representative, the net worth of “Ka Bel” was declared at a measly P50,000.  If that is accurate, and he has no hidden wealth to speak of, that would make his worth to the Filipino nation more than that of all of his dishonest and corrupt colleagues combined.*