FINAL REPORT - Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

OWWA funds, specifically its Medicare funds, to the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (or “PhilHealth”) to facilitate creation and distribution, for the 2004
election campaign of President Arroyo, of PhilHealth cards bearing her photograph,
bigger than that of the card-owner, her initials GMA, and the tag-line “President
GLORIA.” 61
.
Santiago continued to state in her affidavit:
“Migrante International believes that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
committed electoral fraud by intending, facilitating and ordering the
diversion of migrant workers’ trust funds from the OWWA to finance
her campaign machinery starting 2003.
Arroyo used PhilHealth cards as election campaign materials to
cheat in the 2004 elections. She issued to voters before and during
the official campaign period, PhilHealth cards bearing her name and
picture. By placing her picture and name in the PhilHealth cards,
she transformed the said cards, which previously did not contain
the name or face of any public official into a prohibited campaign
material using public funds.
The intent to commit a grave anomaly to aid Gloria’s election bid
was hatched by former Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
(PhilHealth) president and now Health Secretary Francisco Duque
III.
Dr. Duque, based on his Memorandum to the President dated
November 20, 2002 told Arroyo that “It is respectfully requested
that the Proposed Executive Order (EO) be approved by Her
Excellency before the year ends. The Proposed transfer will have a
significant bearing on 2004 elections and on the President’s desire to
provide health insurance to 8M indigents by end of 2003.” (Annex “C”). 62
Duque is known to be a close Arroyo ally, a long-time friend of the First
Family and their neighbor at La Vista in Quezon City.
61
The old PhilHealth cards did not contain any picture of any public official.
62
Exhibit EF-Philhealth-Santiago (Migrante)-“E.” The intent to electioneer is clearer when the pertinent paragraph in
the latter exhibit is completed, as follows:
“PHIC will need a reasonable lead time to ensure smooth turnover of OWWA medicare to
PHIC and manage some resistance from certain quarters which will be affected by the
change. It is respectfully requested that the proposed Executive Order (EO) be approved by her
excellency before the year ends. The proposed transfer will have a significant bearing on
2004 elections and on the President’s desire to provide health insurance to 8M indigents by end of
2003. I will be available to explain in greater detail the far reaching political implications of
the transfer. May I ask that we meet personally? My direct line is 0917 813 2072 or 618 1684.”
(emphasis supplied)
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