Participants to the WEF come from business, politics, academe, media, and civil society.

This is the second WEF participation of Arroyo (the first was in New York in 2002) but this will be her first visit to Switzerland.

The Swiss trip is the answer to questions why the Arroyo administration decided to file graft and extortion charges against former Justice Secretary Hernando Perez even as Malacañang, specifically Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita declares him innocent.

Remember her signing of the repeal of the death penalty before her latest Vatican trip? It’s all part of her image-cleansing agenda.

Arroyo expects to be asked by Swiss officials and the media about something that they referred to the Philippine government almost four years ago.

Now, she can say that charges have been filed against the recipient of the $2 million that ended in a Swiss account. She may even say that it’s proof that her government is serious about eradicating graft and corruption, which we all know is big lie.

Anti-graft crusader Frank Chavez is not impressed with the Ombudsman’s action against Perez and sees it as part of a charade. "Had they charged him with money laundering and plunder which are non-bailable, I would have saluted them," he said.

Chavez advised Ombudsman lawyers who say Perez’ crime does not constitute plunder which should be a series of acts to accumulate ill-gotten wealth of at least P50 million because it was just a single act, to review his Sept. 18, 2003 letter to then Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo.

Chavez said Perez’ crime took at least 10 acts. Here’s a portion of Chavez’ letter:

"It’s a matter of record that as of April 15, 2003, the Embassy of Switzerland requested the Philippine Government to extend judicial legal assistance in criminal matters relating to what Switzerland presents to be money-laundering activities of a certain Hernando Benito Perez, reportedly a former Secretary of Justice, Republic of the Philippines. The request of the Embassy of Switzerland is based on the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters between the Swiss Confederation and the Republic of the Philippines signed in Manila on July 9, 2002.

"Documented proof shows the following facts:

"On March 5, 2001, EFG Private Bank SA, Geneva Branch, opened Deposit Account No. 338l18 in the name of Rosario Salvador Perez and Ramon Castillo Arceo Jr., both Philippine citizens.

"Ms. Perez and Mr. Arceo executed power of attorney in favor of Hernando Benito Perez, husband of Rosario Salvador Perez. Account No. 338118 was closed on Oct. 31, 2001.

"On March 27, 2001, EFG Private Bank SA, Geneva Branch, opened Deposit Account No. 338128 in the name of Ernest de Leon Escaler, a Philippine citizen.

"On March 11, 2001, EFG Private Bank SA, Geneva Branch opened at the request of Ernest de Leon Escaler, Deposit Account No. 338372 in the name of Lucky Clover Enterprises Ltd. Incorporated in British Virgin Islands (BVI). A person authorized by a company named Capcept Limited signed all the documents relating to the opening of this account. The company EFG Financial Advisory Pte Limited, with head office in Singapore, undertook the aforesaid banking transactions.

"The documents relative to the opening of Account No. 338118 indicate that Ernest de Leon Escaler is the ‘center of influence of EFG Financial Advisory in the Philippines.’ In parallel transactions, accounts were also opened in the names of the same holders, under references 348118, 348128 and 348372 with the EFG Private Bank SA, Guernsey Branch.

"Documents from Switzerland identified Hernando Benito Perez as the Justice Secretary who would have collected the amount of USD2 million resulting from acts of corruption or from extortion.

"On March 6, 2001, Account No. 338118 actually received the amount of USD1 million from the account of Ernest de Leon Escaler at the Coutts (Schweiz) AG Hongkong.

"The account of Rosario Salvador Perez and Ramon Castillo Arceo with EFG Private Bank, Guernsey Branch, was credited in May 2001 with the amount of USD699,985 which amounts came from different investments and inter-account movements.

"With the closure of Account No. 338118, the account number 338128 (with Escaler as holder) received capital in return in several transfers. Two important transfers took place from this last account in favor of a company named Swordtail Limited, which is the holder of an account in BNP Hongkong.

"Finally, USD833,000 went back from Swordtail Limited account to the Lucky Clover Enterprise Ltd. Account.

"Given all these facts, supported by documents coming from Switzerland, the citizenry is puzzled why no action has been taken thereon either individually or collectively by the Office of the President, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman." Chavez asked this question three years ago.

Unlike the repeal of the death penalty that Arroyo cannot undo after the trip, the charges against Perez can be dismissed later on. Brilliant script. Shady agenda.