This story was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. V, No. 16, May 29-June 4, 2005

Duque is Unfit to Be Health Chief – Health Workers 

Militant health workers and professionals believe “the Philippine health care system needs Francisco Duque III like it needs another boil to add to the festering sore that is the Arroyo regime.”

BY BULATLAT

Dr. Darby Santiago, vice chairman of the Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD), scored in a statement May 28 the appointment of Francisco Duque III as health secretary.

“Once again, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has rewarded those who have been in cahoots with her in subverting the true will of the people during the elections of 2004,” he said.

Santiago cited how Duque was reportedly instrumental in putting Macapagal-Arroyo’s picture on both sides of millions of PhilHealth cards that were distributed during the campaign period. Duque was at the time PhilHealth president.

HEAD also accused Duque of being responsible for the juggling of various funds, including the P530 million from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), for the benefit of Macapagal-Arroyo’s election campaign last year.

“Duque’s mercenary character is the only criterion that Arroyo has considered in appointing him, thereby making him truly unfit for this office,” Santiago also said. “But because of the political patronage system that is a key feature of Arroyo’s ‘strong republic,’ he may yet join the cast of accused thieves (e.g. Winston Garcia of GSIS), killers (e.g. Gen. Jovito Palparan), and pro-capitalist elitists (e.g. Patricia Sto. Tomas of DoLE) that comprise Arroyo’s cabinet and bureaucracy.”

HEAD believes that Duque will only push for the faster implementation of the privatization and corporatization of the public health care system. This, it said, will endanger the security of tenure of thousands of health workers since it expects Duque to further streamline the government bureaucracy. The health group said Duque is known for batting for the integration of government hospitals.

HEAD vowed to reject Duque’s appointment as well as join other sectors in ousting Macapagal-Arroyo from the presidency. Bulatlat

© 2004 Bulatlat ■  Alipato Publications

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