The President of the Republic of the Philippines insists that his veto of the SSS pension increase is for the good of the entire SSS members. He noted during an event in Bulacan that it was unfair to grant the increase at the expense of the other SSS members. The move by the president was seen by some political analysts as a gamble on part of his administration’s chances in the 2016 elections.
During the event, Pres. Aquino reiterated and reasoned out for his decision not to approve the SSS pension increase. He was quoted as saying “Matutuwa yung 2 million, mapapahamak yung 30 million. Tama ba ang pagbabantay natin ng pondong ito?” he said during an ambush interview broadcasted over state-run Radyo ng Bayan.
The 55-year-old bachelor President of the Philippines discussed the factors considered, including the current income generated by SSS and the current economic and financial situation affecting the agency’s holdings.
“Hindi kapritsyo ito. Pinag-aralan,” he insisted, adding that there is always a need to take into consideration the future of the nation.
Pres. Aquino has been receiving flak for vetoing the bill, which was due to lapse into law in a few days. The proposed measure, House Bill No. 5842, provides for a two thousand pesos (P2,000) across-the-board increase in the SSS monthly pension.
