BAGUIO CITY – More lawmakers are joining the call of Anak Bayan Rep. Neri Colmenares to override President Benigno Aquino III’s veto of a bill seeking a P2,000 increase in the monthly pensions of retired Social Security System (SSS) pensioners.
This was bared by Colmenares February 23 during the campaign sortie of Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero, and their entire senatorial slate in Baguio City.
Colmenares said that 88 lawmakers in the House of Representatives have already signed his petition to override the veto which will be presented on May 23 when Congress resumes.
Baguio Rep. Nicasio M. Aliping Jr. signed the petition showing his concern for the pensioners.
Rep. Aliping said that should the two-thirds number of lawmakers needed to override the veto is not gathered by then, he would propose a bill, if he gets a second term, to adjust the increase to P1,000 a month in order that the SSS’ actuarial life would not be jeopardized.
According to the SSS, granting a P2,000 increase to its estimated two million retired SSS pensioners would drain the resources of the system and lessen its actuarial life. This in turn would put in jeopardy both the present and future pensioners.
Rep. Aliping said that his proposal would answer both the need of the pensioner, especially those who receive less than P4,000 a month, and the SSS’ need to remain liquid to support future pensioners./Carl C. Taawan
