Party-list Rep. Neri J. Colmenares of Bayan Muna on Tuesday said the 16th Congress missed a golden chance to be remembered in history.
Colmenares was referring to the last day of the 16th Congress on Monday night, when they failed to convince the majority to allow them override the controversial P2,000 across-the-board increase of Social Security System (SSS) pension vetoed by President Aquino.
“We could have made history last night through a legislative action that will long be remembered by the Filipino people, but we chose the darkness of oblivion instead. We could have made a legislative intervention that will set a precedent against an unjust presidential veto, but we abdicated from that role castrating congressional power, fearing the wrath of an outgoing president. We could have made a strong legislative gesture that will alleviate the plight of our senior citizens, but we abstained from doing so because of something that is not even in the job description of Congress—to ensure that the president is not embarrassed. Thus, we failed in our mandate as a Congress, and crashed the hopes of the elderly who we are supposed to be representatives of,” Colmenares said in his explanation on the last day of session.
Colmenares issued the statement after Majority Floor Leader Neptali M. Gonzales II refused to allow a vote on his motion to override the measure on the ground the Senate has adjourned sine die ahead.
“There is no rule that prohibits the House from tackling business just because the Senate has adjourned. The Senate can always reconvene any time, as it has done so in the past, before our term ends on June 30. The House leadership just does not want to put it to a vote for fear that our motion will get the necessary votes to override the veto of the President,” he said.
“All is not lost, however, because President-elect [Rodrigo R.] Duterte supports the P2,000 SSS pension increase. We hope he will immediately act on the increase once he takes office in July. The battle was not in vain because it has made pension increase a national agenda and gained the support of many. The chances of increase has become a possibility because of that battle by our senior citizens, which would not have been there had the bill not been filed,” said Colmenares, who was the principal author of the bill.
“Bayan Muna will refile the bill next Congress with the hope that it will pass into law in a short time. We are glad President-elect Duterte supports the pension increase, as it will hasten its congressional approval,” he said.
2 comments
It is absurd to legislate pension increases,it is theb fidicuiary duty of. The SSS investment manager, to effect the increase based on investment returns and solvency.The GSIS isrun by a formerinvestment manager and pension for its retirees is 90% of formersalary. This isbsomethingthat they can actually lived on.the SSS could copyits playbook.
Increasing the SSS pension of our seniors needs further study. The fund is not for those who have retired only but for the future retirees who are contributing to the SSS. While I agree that there should be an increase in SSS, it should not be legislated because our Senators and Congressmen will not think of the future as long as they look good in the eyes of the people. In short, “pogi” effect is all their after.