You may ask as to why I have started this article with the barrage of insults hurled at Raul Gonzales. I write this because a great man, Crispin Beltran is no longer here to defend himself from the barbarian at Gloria’s gate. It is simply because Raul Gonzalez consistently chooses to be the heckler of all that is decent in public office. Including the late Crispin Beltran himself.

In a recent post by Manuel Buencamino, he writes the apparent attempt of Raul Gonzalez in trying to be human. That is until, in Manuel’s words, Raul Gonzalez decides to piss on the grave of Ka Bel. Taking pot shots, at a man who is no longer with us.

That dignity cannot be afforded to an activist that fought for the laborers and the poor, is beyond the realm of Raul Gonzalez.

His statements,

The tragic death of Rep. Crispin Beltran, “Ka Bel” to his friends in the militant movement, should, of course, be mourned, because whatever our differences in our approach to government, I have no doubt that Ka Bel was a Filipino who loved his country.

I am convinced Ka Bel was not a rich man, but I am wondering why his net worth is only P50,000 after being a congressman for three terms.

Even just for his salary and allowances as member of the House, I am sure he could have lived comfortably. Unless, of course, it is true that as a party-list representative, so much of his income is being turned over to the Anakpawis organization, which, in turn, probably supports some other movements beyond Congress.

At any rate, I have not heard of any report of scandalous behavior or of any act of corruption against the late Representative Beltran. May he rest in peace

Obviously, Secretary Raul Gonzalez, could have left his statement as is, after that first paragraph. But being the man he is, without any moral conduct or manners of any kind, even for the dead, he starts on a course of conversation on the political side, then simply just attacks.

A statement of the form, is a blindsided attempt to get in the last word, when clearly, he knows that the dead has no recourse to answer back. This is when, for once in my life, I wish the dead truly walked the earth. I’m sure, Mr. Gonzalez would get a lot of knocks on his door.

There are many things about the man, his actions, and his decision making, that I was very much in disagreement with. But, this I can say, with great clarity, Crispin Beltran was a charismatic leader who believed that his actions were for the good of our nation.

And when he was arrested during the state of emergency back in 2006, he was again thrust into the national consciousness, a symbol of a fight against a “dictator”. He was courageous against the Arroyo Administration, that was evident from news reports and videos.

He was an activist, through and through, and even at his old age, he never slowed down.

Very much contradictory to his life of perseverance, his death was almost anticlimactic, that of a fall from a ladder, a 14 foot drop, and then succumbing to brain injuries… I would have envisioned something more dramatic, but maybe a little less sudden.

I don’t want to dwell too much about the death itself. His life was lived leading people for the beliefs of having a better nation.. an activist through and through. Crispin Beltran will definitely be missed by many. Rest In Peace Ka Bel.

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