SSS, cops nab 2 delinquent employers

MANILA, Philippines — Two employers were arrested last week for failing to remit Social Security Systems (SSS) contributions of their employees.

Police officers served arrest warrants to Florida Jose of Falcon Maritime & Allied Services Inc. and to Ana Marie Celestia Vasquez of Applebee Inc. for violating Republic Act 1161 or the Social Security Law, according to a statement issued by SSS president and chief executive officer Aurora Ignacio.

Jose had unpaid contributions and penalties amounting to P7.92 million as of Sept. 13 while Vasquez failed to remit contributions worth P1.5 million as of Sept. 12, Ignacio said.

SSS chief legal counsel Voltaire Agas said 15 employers were arrested since the Philippine National Police started serving arrest warrants for RA 1161 violations.

While three employers are being tried in court, others chose to apply for inclusion in the Contribution Penalty Condonation Program, which allows delinquent employers to settle their employees’ unpaid premiums without incurring penalties, he said.

The SSS offered the program from March 6 to Sept. 6.