DAVAO CITY – The proponent of the bill seeking additional P2,000 Social Security System pension for retirees asked the House leadership Friday, May 13 to allow the motion to override the President’s veto be tackled in the plenary on May 23 as Congress resumes.
Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares said he hopes to pursue the override resolution on the issue as the elections are over .
“I ask Speaker Belmonte and Majority LeaderNeptali Gonzales II to allow the motion,” said Colmenares.
Colmenares said there are already 95 congressmen who have signed the resolution.
“We hope to reach the required number when session resumes. We are thankful of the Congressmen who supported the fight,” he said.
Colmenares also reiterated that the pension hike is feasible and just.
“SSS has the gumption to give millions in bonuses, perks, and salaries for its top ranks. This alone belies their claim of bankruptcy if the pension increase passes. A total of P116,826,265.95 was given to the 34 officials as against the two million SSS members awaiting the P2,000 increase on their pensions,” Colmenares said.
He said the SSS collection rate “remains at a dismal 38%.”
“We urge SSS to go after big-time companies and demand SSS payments as required by law. Slashing off extravagant bonuses and improving collection efficiency will make SSS more robust and far from the apocalyptic scenario that SSS wants us to believe if the pension hike happens,” he added.(davaotoday.com)
