News Release - May 26, 2005
References: Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson
Contact Numbers: Telefax - 926-2838 and 0927-2157392
Vince Borneo, Information Officer, 0927-7968198

Duque another corrupt favorite of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

"The more Dr. Francisco Duque III talks, the more he reveals the corrupt thinking of high officialdom in the bureaucracy and the obscene system of political patronage being worsened by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo."

Thus stated MIGRANTE Sectoral Party chairperson Connie Bragas-Regalado on incoming Health Secretary Duque's boastful statements on his "being groomed by the President for the post as early as 1999."

"As Philippine Health Insurance Corp. president, Duque is the brains behind the distribution of the free Philhealth cards bearing Ms. Arroyo's photos to four million poor Filipinos during the campaign period for the 2004 elections. He is also the diligent point person who has doggedly pursued the illegal transfer of more than P530 million from OFW health care trust fund money from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration," Bragas-Regalado said.

Duque boasted in a Quezon City media forum that "the President had prepared me for this job and that as then Vice President, had a hand in making him a permanent member of Philhealth's board of directors in 1999."

"This just shows that the administrative policy and management style of President Arroyo has not changed at all. She rewards positions to those who have served her anti-people motives well. Her government revolves on the principle of political payback as the case of the Duque appointment reveals. There is no way for Duque and Malacanang to convince us and the public that his appointment is just and he is qualified to dispense free health services to the poor majority, OFWs included," Bragas-Regalado said.

MIGRANTE also reiterated that Duque has not accounted for his own revelation of "at least P520 million pesos in PhilHealth funds 'lost' to bogus claims."

"We call on the Commission on Appointments to block Duque's appointment to protect the Department of Health that is already beleaguered with a low budget for services to the poor," she added.

"Malacanang may fight tooth and nail to get Duque appointed. But what may seem legal to Duque and Macagapal-Arroyo is not necessarily ethical and moral in the eyes of OFWs and the people. #