From the Office of Rep. Crispin Beltran

South Wing Room 602 House of Representatives

Constitution Hills 1126 Quezon City, Philippines

Reference: Rep.Crispin Beltran (+63)9278711080

Ina Alleco R. Silverio, chief of staff  931.6615, 09195065269

 

 News Release   Monday, January 24, 2007

 

Lawmaker calls for 'pre-election audit' of GSIS, SSS and OWWA funds and have them protected against possible diversion to Malacanang's electoral campaign coffers

 

 Anakpawis Representative and political detainee Crispin Beltran today that the release of funds from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Social Security System, as well as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration,  should be closely monitored as the countdown to the May midterm elections begins.

 

Beltran said that these public security and welfare agencies have long before been the subject of  congressional inquiries, "The funds of the SSS, GSIS and the OWWA have long been alleged to be tapped by Malacanang   for corrupt and self-serving purposes that endanger the security of the said funds.  The Macapagal-Arroyo administration is certain to be casting a wide net to secure the greatest amount of money to fund its election campaign, and agencies such as the GSIS, SSS and OWWA are certain to be in Malacanang's list of immediate cash sources," he said.

 

"The release of cash from the said agencies and other similar offices should be closely monitored. We cannot allow the contributions of our workers, government employees and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) be diverted to the campaign coffers of Malacanang."

 

Beltran said that even now, the funds of the GSIS, SSS and the OWWA should be subjected to a 'pre-election audit' and records on the weekly or monthly release of funds regularly turned over to the Commission on Audit. "That way we can somehow monitor the flow of money from the said agencies. We want to make sure that not a single centavo of the contributions of our hardworking kababayans will be utilized for Malacanang's electoral efforts including widespread and various forms of fraud; or thrown away on the purchase of campaign paraphernalia, vehicles and  sound systems."

 

Beltran said that in 2003, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was accused of ordering the transfer of OWWA Healthcare funds to Philhealth, and  Philhealth released membership cards to OFWs in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan bearing pictures of Macapagal-Arroyo. Migrant groups said that the transfer of the funds was anomalous and the money was used for Arroyo's electioneering. The issue remains unresolved and investigations remain pending in both the senate and the Lower House.

 

The activist lawmaker said that an eagle eye should also be kept on the funds the US government have released to the Philippine government supposedly to help the latter strengthen its military capability in fighting terrorism. He said that it was not unlikely that a chunk of the said military aid will be utilized to ensure that the AFP continues to conduct its counter-insurgency campaign which actually targets civilians.

 

"The last few weeks have seen and heard the AFP holding massive information drives demonizing progressive party-lists and threatening the public against supporting them and their candidates. It's also been reported that the AFP is also using these   venues to campaign for Malacanang and its programs, including the slate it will field in the midterm polls. If the military aid is subjected to public audit, chances are it will be revealed that the money is also being funneled into Malacanang's preparations for elections – the preparations which comprise arming paramilitary groups that will assist Malacanang's campaign efforts while terrorizing those of the opposition and progressive party-lists," he said. #