Former OWWA, DOH chiefs deny wrongdoing

MANILA, Philippines—The former head of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Ver Angelo, maintained Thursday that the transfer of P530 million in OWWA health insurance funds to Philhealth was above board.

Angelo said at a news conference that the transfer of the money in 2005 did not constitute plunder, a capital offense.

“It was a government-to-government transaction. It was all documented and transparent,” he said.

Angelo said he was confident that the money did not benefit public or private individuals, noting that it was placed in a trust fund.

Former health secretary Francisco Duque III said the money was not used for electioneering. He noted that the funds were sent to PhilHealth in 2005.