Appointment of Mike defended

Amidst intense criticism heaped by opposition groups on President Gloria Arroyo's appointment of her husband, Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo as special envoy to overseas Filipino workers, the palace asked critics yesterday to name "better" alternatives to the post.

"To our critics, if they cannot help our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) they should shut up," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said in an interview from Tokyo on government-run radio.

The opposition said that the appointment of Mike, a lawyer, to the newly-created but critical post is a political ploy by the president to cultivate votes for the 2004 elections from among the ranks of the OFWs. Millions of Filipinos based abroad are expected to vote in the 2004 presidential elections.

The polls will mark the first time overseas Filipinos will be allowed to take part in a major political exercise at home by casting their votes at their embassies and consulates.

Opposition Senator Edgardo Angara views Mike's appointment as a "very troubling and disturbing" development.

Angara pointed out that there are existing government agencies, such as the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA), that are already looking after Filipinos abroad.

Senator Tessie Oreta, also from the opposition, said Mike's appointment is a clear indication that Arroyo is already on the "political campaign mode".

House of Representatives member Carlos Padilla said the appointment was "unnecessary".

"Obviously, the appointment of Mr. Arroyo has nothing to do with the welfare of our migrant workers. This is an area that has already been covered by other departments and agencies. With the appointment, Mr. Arroyo can now go around the world courtesy of taxpayers' money and woo overseas workers to vote for his wife in 2004," Padilla noted.

On Monday, Arroyo announced before the Filipino community in Tokyo the appointment of her husband as special envoy to OFWs.

The new post will take Mike to different countries where Filipino workers are based. Bunye said that Mike took on the new job, which has no salary, for "love" of his wife.

The president spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao, however, said Mike's appointment can still be recalled as he revealed that an evaluation of the appointed person's performance will be carried out over a certain period.

Tiglao nevertheless maintained the appointment was not tainted with political considerations as alleged by critics. He maintained Arroyo's appointment was first broached by the department of foreign affairs, which is now "evaluating" the appointment.

Former Arroyo cabinet member, Raul Roco, said the president could be charged with nepotism for appointing her husband to a critical post.

Meanwhile, the government-run Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will handle the medical care programme for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) starting next year.

PhilHealth assumes the task that is currently handled by the OWWA, said PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Dr. Francisco Duque.

The OFWs will not be asked to increase their premium contributions, said Duque, adding that the present payment of P 900.00 ($17.31) annually by OFWs will be maintained.

"This amount is lower compared to the annual payments made by regular PhilHealth members. But we will make sure the OFWs will enjoy all the benefits enjoyed by the regular PhilHealth members," noted Duque.

The programme covers all family members of the PhilHealth member. These are those 20 years and below and 60 years and above, Duque said.

Under the PhilHealth programme, Duque explained, all its members who have at least 120 contributions or 10-year contributions will qualify to become a life member of the social health programme being implemented by the government.

The medicare fund is now at P3 billion ($57.69 million), Duque said, and this will be enough to service the medical needs of the 40 million PhilHealth members.

"We need to expand our services," observed Duque. He said that PhilHealth has 15 regional offices, 72 desk officers nationwide, an office in Metro Manila and a main office in suburban Pasig City.

The justice department ruled on April 11, 1997, that OFWs who are members of Medicare, which was previously under OWWA, will be covered by the national health insurance programme, which is being managed by PhilHealth.

Duque vowed transparency in the use of the OWWA-Medicare funding as he said there will be a regular accounting of the OFWs health insurance.