Makati Court allows Beltran to leave detention and join Congressional sessions

By Ronron
June 4, 2007

Anakpawis party-list group Representative Crispin Beltran was released on Monday afternoon from the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) where he is on hospital arrest following a court order allowing him to attend the last few sessions at the Lower House of Congress.

“I’m like a bird who got out of the cage. I have a better view and I could feel the fresh air. And I could talk freely with people I previously talk to. So I am very happy,” the 74-year-old solon said in live radio interview before the Congressional hearing began yesterday afternoon.

“I feel like I now have the freedom I used to have when I was not in jail,” he added.

In a three-page order, Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 150 Presiding Judge Elmo Alameda granted the temporary release from detention of Beltran, citing his compliance to terms and conditions of similar court orders in previous instances.

Prior to yesterday, Beltran was temporarily released five times since November 2006 for various reasons.

“In all those instances, Congressman Beltran faithfully complied with all the terms and conditions specified in the aforesaid orders, a clear indication of his commitment to submit himself to legal processes. Accordingly, the request (to leave) is granted,” Alameda said in the order dated June 1, 2007.

Alameda said Beltran can leave his detention at 3pm of June 4, 5, and 6, 2007 so he could attend the Sine Die Adjournment of the 13th Congress, and return to the PHC at 7pm of said dates.

On June 7th, he is allowed to leave at 1pm up to 8pm so he could be present during the Launching of the Centennial Celebration and Closing Ceremony of the 13th Congress at the House of Representatives Complex in Quezon City.

“The PNP Custodial Center is requested to provide sufficient number of escorts to accompany Representative Beltran at the place aforementioned and to be brought back thereafter,” reads the order.

Calling his freedom “temporary only,” Beltran said he hopes to be released from detention for good once the government resolves its issue with the Supreme Court, ordering the lower courts to dismiss charges against him and five other party-list representatives.

The Office of the Solicitor-General, which serves as counsel for the government, plans to appeal the SC ruling last Friday.

The High Tribunal had said that the charges against the so-called Batasan Six are apparently politically motivated./DMS