GMA names manicurist to Pag-IBIG, gardener to Luneta Park

MANILA, Philippines - Malacanang confirmed that President Gloria Arroyo has appointed her manicurist as a trustee of the Pag-IBIG Fund and her gardener as deputy of the Luneta Park Administration.

Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar confirmed reports that Arroyo appointed Anita Capron, her manicurist, as a Pag-IBIG trustee with a fixed two-year term and a monthly allowance of P130,000, among other perks.

The Pag-IBIG Fund, also known as Home Development Mutual Fund, is a nationwide savings fund was established in December 14, 1980, through Presidential Decree No. 1752.

Olivar also confirmed that the President appointed her gardener Armando Macapagal as deputy of the Luneta Park Administration. He said Macapagal is not related to the President.

The appointment of the two household helpers to government offices has raised questions of credentials and capability to handle subordinates and multi-billion peso funds.

Capron, as board of trustee member, will be joining several Cabinet rank officials led by Vice President Noli de Castro who is board chairman, and Finance Undersecretary Roberto Tan, vice chairman.

The other trustees are Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos; Jaime Fabiaña, chief executive officer of the Home Development Mutual Fund; Trade Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya; Labor Secretary Marianito Roque; Francisco Duque, chair of the Civil Service Commission; Ruben Arcay of the Office of the Corporate Secretary; and Jose Luis Vera, Rowena de Rosario, Teresita Alegre, and Edgardo Lacson who are representing private employees.

Olivar said Arroyo gave them government positions because she wanted to have "ordinary people represented in government offices and agencies whose activities impinge on the lives of ordinary people."

He said Pag-IBIG Fund, for instance, impacts on the daily lives of many ordinary Filipinos. He said the two are regular members of Malacañang’s staff and have regular appointments.

The appointment was supposed to be within the March 10 deadline for appointments to executive positions. (Regina Bengco)