The House Independent Bloc yesterday assailed the Social Security System (SSS) for closing the door on the possibility of a pension increase, describing the move as “insensitive and lack of concern” for its 2.15 million pensioners. “Our challenge is for the SSS and the government to reconsider its position. A small amount of increase is better than totally ignoring their plight,” Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said as he lamented SSS CEO and president Emilio de Quiros Jr.’s statement last Monday, closing the door on any possible pension increase under the Aquino administration. “The statement is lamentable. It shows insensitivity and lack of ‘malasakit’ on the part of the government despite public uproar on the President’s decision vetoing a proposed law seeking a P2,000 monthly pension increase,” he said. Romualdez, who heads the House bloc and is also the president of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), urged the SSS to instead [...]
