MANILA, Philippines?It took the death of Anakpawis party-list Rep. Crispin Beltran for Sen. Manuel ?Lito? Lapid to speak up.

Lapid on Wednesday broke his silence for the first time in years, surprising reporters covering the Senate with a one-page, three-paragraph press statement.

After four years as a legislator, the former action star and Pampanga governor had mastered the art of avoiding reporters covering the Senate, something unthinkable among his colleagues.

He was elected in 2004 for a six-year term.

Lapid issued the statement in Filipino condoling with the family of Beltran, whose accidental death the other day shocked the nation.

The senator?s colleagues had immediately expressed their sympathies, and the Senate made time to pass a resolution during its plenary session on Tuesday to express its condolences to the bereaved family.

Lapid?s statement was his first since the 14th Congress opened in July 2007.

Stunned reporters had to rack their brains for the last press statement they got from Lapid?s office. Some recalled getting one about a couple of years ago at least.

In that press statement, Lapid propounded on a bill he had filed prohibiting the use of staple wires in food packaging. When asked for comment, other senators said such a measure could simply be enacted by a city or municipal ordinance.

Perhaps to make up for his delayed reaction to Beltran?s death, Lapid went a step further than his colleagues and said he shared the leftist labor leader?s ?goals and aspirations? because he also came from humble beginnings.

The administration senator also pointed out in his statement that he had filed more than 70 bills, of which 50 were ?for the poor.?

He said he knew what the poor were feeling upon losing an ally and champion.