AT least 81 lawmakers have already signed the resolution overriding the veto of President Aquino on the measure increasing by P2,000 the pension of Social Security System (SSS) members.
Party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares of Bayan Muna, main author of the bill, said he is still gathering signature to reach the 194 needed votes.
“We are very optimistic that we can have the needed votes when session resumes or by May 23. Win or lose we will still push for the override resolution at the plenary,” Colmenares said in a text message.
He added that they are eyeing to get the signature of 211 lawmakers who have voted to pass the P2,000 pension hike on final reading at the lower chamber. Almost all of the lawmakers who supported the move are reelectionists or running for other positions for the May national elections.
Under Article VI, Section 27 of the 1987 Constitution, Congress could pass a bill into law despite the President’s veto if two-thirds of the members of each chamber vote for its approval.
At least 194 of the 291 remaining House members would have to vote to approve a vetoed measure to overturn the President’s opposition to it.
“We expect more support as we gather the signed resolution from the offices of many congressmen,” added Colmenares, also senior deputy minority leader.
Earlier, Majority Leader and Liberal Party Rep. Neptali Gonzales II of Mandaluyong said that there should have been no problem in passing the bill increasing the pension hike into law, if only the Senate approved the accompanying measure that will prevent the SSS from going bankrupt as a result of the pension increase.
In January Mr. Aquino vetoed the bill providing a P2,000 across-the-board increase in the monthly pension of SSS pensioners, and adjustment of the minimum monthly pension from P1,200 to P3,200, for members who have contributed the equivalent of 10 credited years of service (CYS), and from P2,400 to P4,000, for those with at least 20 CYS.
President Aquino said he was worried that the stability of the SSS would be compromised if he would allow the pension hike of 2.1 million pensioners.
Gonzales also admitted that overruling President Aquino veto was next to impossible.
“In my experience as a member of the House, there were no records that Congress override the President’s veto because it will require two-thirds vote of all the members of both houses of Congress…it will be hard because of this requirement of the Constitution,” he said.
For his part, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said it would be difficult for them to gather the needed two-thirds votes to overturn the presidential veto.