SSS could support promised pension hike if contributions would be raised – Diokno

MANILA, Philippines (Eagle News) — Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno on Tuesday said that Congress and the Social Security System board of trustees should not pass the problem to President Rodrigo Duterte in deciding on the proposed Php 2,000 across-the-board pension hike for SSS member.

“To me, it’s unfair to give the problem to him (Duterte). In fact, it’s unfair for Congress to have passed that law, which, as you know, President (Benigno) Aquino (III) vetoed. It should not have reached the president’s desk. The Board of Trustees should have exercised leadership and say, ‘no, we cannot do it unless we do the following things,’ okay,” the budget chief said.

It can be remembered that a bill seeking to hike the SSS monthly pension by Php 2,000 was vetoed by former President Aquino due to budgetary constraint.

“I understand some corporations have been indebted to SSS, maybe they could call on them, right. But you know, when you pass the buck and give it to the President, that to me is unfair for the president,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Diokno, along with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, submitted a memorandum to President Duterte opposing a congressional joint resolution for the Php 2,000 across-the-board increase for more than two million retired SSS members unless the contribution of its members would be raised.

“So if there’s any solution, I think they should find it within the system and what we are proposing is a salary — a contribution adjustment, a higher pay but we are not recommending it right now,” Diokno said.

When reminded that Duterte during his campaign for Presidency had promised the increase in the pension of retired SSS members, saying this would provide social protection to retirees, Diokno replied:  “Well, I am not a politician, but… the candidate Duterte is different from President Duterte.”

“You made promise but once you look on the data, you realized it’s not possible. That’s where I’m coming from,” he added.

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