Former Negros Occ gov named GSIS chairman

CAGAYAN, Philippines – President Aquino announced here yesterday the appointment of former Negros Occidental Gov. Daniel Lacson as chairman of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

He said the GSIS must stop blaming the computers for the delay in the release of pensions and claims by its members.

Lacson was Philippine National Bank president during the term of Aquino’s mother, former President Corazon Aquino.

Mr. Aquino made the announcement in an interview with reporters after paying his respects to the three soldiers who died in action. The President visited their separate wakes in the soldiers’ houses.

Mr. Aquino said he signed the appointment papers of Lacson Wednesday night. The new GSIS head will take over from Winston Garcia who has been under fire for several issues including a computer system that had bogged down and being blamed for the delay in the release of claims and pensions of its members.

“I want to know what is really the condition of the GSIS? I do not buy their claim that the computers did not work that’s why they were not able to service their members. Computers are only tools. There is the hard copy. Why can’t they service (the members using the hard copy?)” Aquino asked.