Congress urged: Override veto on pension hike

CEBU, Philippines - Several cause-oriented groups are calling on the members of Congress to override the veto of President Benigno Aquino III on the proposed increase in the Social Security System pension.

Greg Perez, coordinator of Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper Nationwide-Cebu, said the issue is not only about the fight of the pensioners but of the Filipino people.

   "Amoang giawhag ang atong mga senador ug mga kongresista nga unta buhaton nila ang tanan mga ma-override nila ang veto sa presidente. Kay wa kami nalipay sa gibuhat sa presidente," said Perez.

Aside from PISTON-Cebu, the Panaghugpong Kadamay, urban poor groups and the student sector also joined yesterday in the protest action at the SSS regional office.

      Perez said that there will still be a series of protest actions nationwide in the coming days.

Leyte Representative and United Nationalist Alliance senatorial candidate Martin Romualdez also urged the government to help the pensioners because the retirees rely only on their monthly pension.

"This bill is already approved by both Houses. Sana sinabi na niya (Aquino) noon pa na ayaw niya. The approval of the bill goes through a process," said Romualdez.

"Yung sinasabi ng presidente na mawawalan ng pondo yung SSS, eh matagal pa yun. Mauubos yung pondo kung walang ginagawa ang SSS ngayon. Ang daming magagaling diyan sa SSS," Romualdez added.

Anakpawis Partylist also called on the other sectors to help pressure the members of Congress to override Aquino’s veto on House Bill No. 5842 which proposed a P2,000 increase in the monthly pension of SSS pensioners.

Anakpawis Representative Fernando “Ka Pando” Hicap, in a statement, said that he asked the group’s chapter members, supporters, as well as local government officials to pressure their respective House representatives to vote against Aquino’s veto.

To override the president’s veto, the House needs 217 votes while the Senate needs 16.

“Ang SSS pension hike ay hindi lang laban ng mga pensioners, laban ito ng members, at hindi lang ng members, kundi ng buong mamamayan dahil ang mga anak nila ay magiging member at kinalaunan ay pensioner ng SSS,” Hicap said.

Aside from protest actions, an online petition has been launched by SSS pensioners demanding Congress to override the veto.

Anakpawis also lambasted Aquino’s contention that the proposed pension hike would endanger the institution’s financial stability. — (FREEMAN)