FINAL REPORT - Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

(Annex “L”).
In the March-April 2004 period, 59,765, PhilHealth cards were
distributed to individuals in Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Ifugao, Mt. Province
and Benguet (Annex “M”).
On April 20, 2004 President Arroyo vowed to complete the universal
health insurance coverage of Filipinos with a four-point health agenda
after she wins a fresh six-year mandate on May 10.
Speaking at a campaign rally at Southern Luzon Polytechnic College in
Lucban, Quezon, Mrs. Arroyo said she had already given out health
cards from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to 26
million Filipino families. Arroyo, her vice presidential running mate Sen.
Noli de Castro and Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit distributed Philhealth
cards to residents of Lucban (Annex “N”).
On March 16, 2004, 11,583 cards were distributed to Cebu City north
district residents while 5,124 Cebu City south district got their cards the
next day, March 17. Some 300 cards were given to barangay workers in
Zamboanga City on. March 18 (Annex “O”).
No one — not even Duque and Arroyo — denies the PhilHealth cards,
which give limited medical benefits valid for only one year, and carry the
picture of Arroyo, are paid for by public and migrant workers’ funds.”
Testifying before the CCTA, Ms. Santiago further stated:
“MS. MARGARITHA SANTIAGO: So ito po yong presentation
tungkol sa electoral fraud at yong Gloria PhilHealth Cards. Una, nais po
naming i-explain na ang pondo po ng OWWA ay nanggagaling sa 3
bagay. Una, nanggaling po ito sa 25 US $ o welfare fund contribution na
binabayaran po ng bawat migrante kada kontrata. Ang …sa particular
ng OWWA medicare fund ay nagmumula naman sa 900 pesos ng
taunang kontribusyon sa mga OFWs para sa kanilang medicare.
Makikita din po ng OWWA mula sa mga investments na ang kanyang
ginagawa mula po dito sa mga contributions. Sang-ayon sa isang talaan,
as of October 2004 aabot po ng mahigit na 6.2 billion pesos investment
ng OWWA.
Nong 2004, mayroong 933,588 OFWS na umalis ng bansa para
magtrabaho. Batay po sa kanyang datus, if we multiply that by 25 US$
merong pong P1,237,004,100 na pumasok po sa OWWA last year
lamang. Sa ganyang datus din po meron din po tayong nakalkulang
840,249,200.00 naman na pumasok mula sa pagbayad doon sa OWWA
regular fund. Kumita din po mula sa mga investments.
Saan naman po napupunta ang pondong ito?
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