VICE presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos on Thursday called President Benigno Aquino III to task for appointing “incompetent managers” to the Social Security System which resulted in failure to improve the SSS’ financial situation.
“Once you find that they cannot do their job, you should immediately look for those who are capable,” Marcos said following complaints on Aquino’s veto of a bill increasing SSS pensioners’ benefits by P2,000.
“If they cannot support the P2000, let’s look for their replacement. I’m sure, we have good people. I remember in previous years the SSS was much-better run.We know many in the private sector who are very very competent and who are quite experienced in doing this,” he said.
“I don’t think the problem is a lack of talent,” the senator added. “We’ve seen this not only in the SSS. We’ve seen this in other departments where people running very large organizations within the government have been clearly shown to be incompetent. They are incapable of doing their job.”
In the past, Marcos said the SSS did not have the present problems of poor collection, which was pegged at only 35 percent, because the people running the agency were very professional.
Marcos also bared that he has signed a proposed Senate resolution expressing the sense of the Upper Chamber that the P2,000 increase in the pension of SSS retirees should be given and that the President’s veto of the bill granting such pension hike is unfortunate.
Marcos also brushed aside allegations that lawmakers pushing for the SSS pension hike are using the issue to score political points, particularly because of the coming elections this year.
“I disagree. It’s an attempt to help the people and that started on income tax cuts and now the SSS pension. Both were vetoed by Aquino,” he said.
Both overriding the veto appears to be a long shot because the move must be initiated in the chamber were a vetoed measure originated, in this case the House of Representatives.
However, the Nationalist People’s Coalition appears to be interested in using its number in the House to muster a two-thirds vote, according to party president and House Deputy Speaker Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao.
“Increasing their pension would provide a meaningful boost to their income. NPC may have to take a party stand to override the veto, should it come to that,” Aggabao said.
“Many party members understand that the eroding values of the present pension has made it difficult for many retirees to escape poverty,” he said.