Duterte lets go of SSS chairman and commissioner

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has terminated the services of Social Security System chairman Amado Valdez and SSS commissioner Jose Gabriel La Viña, Malacañang announced yesterday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the terms of Valdez and La Viña expired on June 30, 2017. Roque could not say why the President did not reappoint them.

“The executive secretary has formally informed Mr. Jose Gabriel M. La Viña as well as Mr. Amado D. Valdez that their term of office, both of which expired 30 June 2017 as commissioners of the SSS, will not be renewed,” Roque said in a press briefing.

Roque said the President did not cite any reason for terminating the services of the SSS officials. Roque noted that discontinuing the services of Valdez and La Viña was part of presidential prerogative.

Valdez and La Viña were asked to step down from their posts as the SSS is seeking an increase in members’ contribution rate to 14 percent from 11 percent to extend its fund life.

Duterte has yet to approve the proposal, which is being opposed by some lawmakers and labor groups who believe that it would pose additional burden to workers.

Valdez was dean of the University of the East College of Law while La Viña was social media director of Duterte during the 2016 presidential election.

Sought for comment, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said he was surprised by the President’s decision not to renew the terms of Valdez and La Viña.

“Surprised. I don’t know who recommended,” he said.

Asked who he thinks will be appointed to take over their positions, Dominguez said, “I suppose the President in his wisdom will appoint some people who are qualified.”

The finance chief said he would be ready to recommend possible appointees if asked by the President.

The SSS has recently been embroiled in controversy after La Viña filed an administrative complaint against four SSS officials for allegedly trading stocks using information acquired from an SSS-accredited stockbroker.

The state fund had then conducted an investigation on the involved officials, namely, SSS executive vice president Rizaldy Capulong, equities investment division chief Reginald Candelaria, equities product development head Ernesto Francisco Jr. and chief actuary George Ongkeko Jr.

La Viña also filed graft complaints against 21 SSS executives for allegedly entering into 253 illegal media contracts with disbursements amounting to P145 million.

This developed as Malacañang released the names of five new appointees in state agencies and local governments.

Jose Arturo Garcia was named officer-in-charge and general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, replacing Thomas Orbos, who has been appointed transportation undersecretary.

Kelvin Lee was appointed chairman of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) appeals committee while Marvin Gatpayat was designated vice chairman.

Michael Mamukid was named director IV of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples while Joselito Macrohon was appointed member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Zamboanga City.