Congressman Crispin Beltran accused Regina Sosing Ferrar of asking questions like a fascist, comparing her
to Philippine President Gloria Arroyo. Beltran standing with finger pointed at Tinig Pinoy host Regina Sosing-Ferrar during
their brief meeting on the evening of April 15, 2008 at the Manila Hut Restaurant in Ottawa.
The brief encounter began after a token introduction to the people at the table where Sosing-Ferrar was seated.
Crispin Beltran, Anakpawis Party List Representative in the Philippine Congress, immediately launched into a discussion of
the Arroyo government. Beltran told them about the human rights violations, extra judicial killings, the oppressed and depressed
people of the Philippines and the mass resistance to the Arroyo administration. At that point, Dan de Castro of Tinig Pinoy
excused himself and left the group composed of Tinig Pinoy Technical Producer Topits Manalo, PBA President Manny Beloy and
his wife Yola.
When asked about the safety of Filipino expatriates who wish to visit the Philippines, Beltran said it is
not safe for them to go back. Beltran also stated that Arroyo is worse than Marcos.
In order to gain a better understanding of the present situation in the Philippines, Sosing-Ferrar asked
questions about the economy, education, justice, and the farmers. It was at this point that Beltran called Sosing-Ferrar a
fascist. According to Beltran, he was trying to explain why Arroyo is worse than Marcos but Sosing-Ferrar keep interrupting
him with other questions.
Beltran further accused Sosing-Ferrar of having pre-determined answers to her questions. Beltran told Sosing-Ferrar
not to antagonize him. By then, the commotion had already caught the attention of other patrons in the restaurant. Among those
in the restaurant at the time were Beltran’s two other colleagues in the House of Representatives: Gabriela’s
Luz Ilagan and Bayan Muna’s Satur Ocampo and a few friends and supporters.
Yola Beloy told Beltran that they have many questions because they are in Canada and they are not well aware
of what’s happening in the Philippines. Beltran calmed down after Topits Manalo said that they would not ask questions
anymore as it upsets him.
The group parted with Beltran telling Ferrar, she does not have to call him your honour, "Ka Bel" na lang.
