SSS files case over fraudulent funeral claim

MANILA, Philippines -  The Social Security System (SSS), the state-owned pension fund for private employees, has brought to court the daughter of an SSS member for filing a fraudulent funeral claim using her father’s account.

In a statement, the SSS said that Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Judge Manuel Sta. Cruz Jr. has sentenced Jhonabeth Barbadilllo to a maximum of four years and nine months in prison and ordered her to pay a fine of P5,000 for filing a fraudulent claim with the pension fund.

Barbadillo claimed that her father died and was buried at the Pasay Public Cemetery in 1997 and that she paid for his burial expenses.

“Documents she presented to the SSS such as the death certificate of her father purportedly issued by the Local Civil Registrar of Manila are spurious, to the damage and prejudice of the SSS and of public interest, contrary to law,” Sta. Cruz said.

The SSS filed a case against Barbadillo in 2000 after the agency completed its investigation on the alleged death of her father, Quirico Buendia, which is part of regular SSS procedures in verifying funeral claims.

SSS officer-in-charge for Legal Services lawyer Joselito Vivit said that it is mandatory for the pension fund to check members’ claims to detect fraudulent claims.

“The court decision serves as a clear warning to individuals who plan to deceive SSS through false statements and fake documents. They can face criminal charges and imprisonment for falsification of public documents, as provided by the Social Security Law,” Vivit said.

In his decision, Sta. Cruz said Barbadillo offered “no substantial facts or evidence” to contradict testimonies on the falsified documents by witnesses from the SSS, Manila City Civil Registrar and Philippine General Hospital presented by SSS lawyer Henry Pablo.

“Considering that [Barbadillo] was identified by witnesses by clear, explicit and positive testimonies, the bare denial of the accused will not suffice to overcome the overwhelming evidence of the prosecution,” Sta. Cruz said in his five-page decision.