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Friday, March 12, 2004
GMA to continue giving away Philhealth cards
PRESIDENT Arroyo Thursday said she will continue to give away Philhealth cards in her sorties because she is just implementing the law on universal health coverage and that the people are the ones demanding it from her.
Arroyo, in her sorties in Calamba, Sta. Rosa, and San Pedro towns in Laguna, noted that many in the audience were asking for Philhealth cards.
She ordered Interior Secretary Jose Lina Jr., who is a former Laguna governor, to see to the health, housing, jobs, and educational needs of the people in the province.
Lawyer Ferdinand Rafanan, spokesman of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), said Arroyo may be disqualified from the presidential race for giving away Philhealth cards bearing her picture.
Arroyo said the Philhealth cards are a great help to the poor and that the law provides for universal health insurance. “Now, why should I be disqualified for implementing the law?” she asked.
She said the Philhealth law was enacted when she was still senator but it was only during her assumption to the presidency in 2001 when millions of families were given the benefit. “Ngayon lang napupuna dahil panahon ng halalan (It’s being noticed only now because it’s election period),” she said.
Lina said it is the Comelec en banc, not the poll body’s spokesman, who makes the official decisions on the fate of the candidates.
Lina said from 3 million Philhealth members, the number rose to 18 million after the end of 2003.
Presidential campaign spokesman Michael Defensor said Arroyo cannot stop implementing government programs, especially those on health, housing, and education, just because of the campaign period, or else the beneficiaries will suffer.
“Ihihinto ba natin itong programa? Kawawa naman ang makikinabang sa programang ito (Do we stop this program? Beneficiaries will suffer),” he said.
Defensor said it is possible for Arroyo to delegate the distribution of the benefits to her underlings, like Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit, Philhealth president Francisco Duque III, or the concerned local officials.
(March 12, 2004 issue)
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