Netizens: Veto a kiss of death for LP

MANILA, Philippines – Netizens are expressing anger at President Aquino for vetoing a bill seeking to grant a P2,000 across-the-board increase in pensions that the Social Security System (SSS) gives out to retirees.

Some want to abandon candidates of the administration Liberal Party (LP) in the May polls to get back at Aquino.

Even the Facebook page of the Official Gazette, the government’s official publication where it was explained why Aquino vetoed the bill, also contains public complaints.

“Tuwid na daan is only for the rich and oligarchs,” Rone Rentoy said. “It was never intended for the poor.”

Another said that Manuel Roxas II, the LP standard bearer, should now say goodbye to his presidential ambitions.

“PNoy’s veto of the much needed SSS pension hike (is) a kiss of death for you,” said Roy Angana.

Several comments called for the boycott of the entire LP slate in the polls.

Millions of allowances were given to SSS officials in the past, netizens said.

Previous reports, which started circulating following the veto, showed previous statements from Malacañang defending the bonuses given to SSS officials.

In the comments sections of the column of STAR Associate Editor Marichu Villanueva about the veto, several Internet users noted the basis for the veto.

“The question is what sort of actuarial analysis formed the basis for the proposed law, and if PNoy studied the same actuarial analysis before deciding to veto,” one comment read.

“You can look at the political flipsides of this issue but at the end of the day, it’s the actuarial science that should be driving any decision to either veto or to sign.” 

Some noted that the government should have looked for ways to increase the pension, not just say that it cannot be done.

Defense

A number of supporters, however, came to the defense of Aquino.

One user, who claimed to be a pensioner, said he would be happy with the increase but asked at what expense.

“It’s the legislators fault for legislating a nonsensical bill,” he said.

Another said Aquino made a wise decision when he chose to prioritize the majority despite the unpopularity of his decision.

“Never bow to pressures,” Tony del Rosario said. “At least you proved that you are for the greater good of the Filipino people.”

Several others accused the bill’s proponent Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, a candidate for a Senate seat, of using the bill to get public support.