MANILA - Malacanang tagged as "malicious" and "anti-people" those insinuating that President Benigno Aquino III is distributing PhilHealth cards and rice to promote candidates of Team PNoy.

In a statement, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said: “The public service agenda will not be held hostage by such remarks motivated by electioneering.”

On Wednesday, militant groups accused Aquino of doing a Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in giving away the PhilHealth cards for the sake of his candidates.

Anakpawis, Unyon ng mga Mangagawa sa Agrikultura and the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas filed a letter asking the Commission on Elections tonvestigate Aquino's alleged use of government resources in campaigning for the administration candidates.

"For the record, the PhilHealth cards were delivered to MILF beneficiaries as part of the Sajahatra program, as a gesture to build good will and sustain the forward momentum of the peace process," Lacierda said.

He noted there is no truth that PhilHealth cards were distributed during a campaign sortie in Bohol. “PhilHealth never sanctioned the release of their benefits in the alleged Bohol campaign activity; no PhilHealth representative was present during the distribution of supposed health cards, which, upon investigation, were not even from PhilHealth."

On the accelerated infrastructure projects, Lacierda explained this was “to ensure that their economic benefits reach our people before the election ban takes place.”

He said there was no single instance in Aquino’s almost three years in position that services were rendered in exchange for a favor.

"We call on the citizenry to be vigilant of the motivations behind such insinuations; the media to present the facts fairly, completely, and accurately; and the candidates and their allies to participate in the democratic process in a manner that is honorable, and that does not sacrifice public welfare upon the altar of politics," he said.