Statement of Senate President Franklin M. Drilon on the President's veto of the SSS Pension Increase Bill

I respect the decision of the President to exercise his veto power over the proposed measure that would have granted a P2,000 across the board increase in the monthly pension under the Social Security System.

It is within his prerogative as President to do so and this is part of the system of check and balance that is a critical component of our democracy.

If the President, after a thorough review of the bill, believed that the enactment of the measure would, in the long run, negatively impact on the agency's fund life and ability to provide a meaningful social security protection to its members and beneficiaries, then we fully respect his judgment.

We may have a different opinion with the President on this particular matter, but I am confident that the executive branch is looking into other alternatives that will help the pensioners, without compromising the viability of the SSS as an institution tasked by the State to establish, develop, promote and perfect a sound and viable tax-exempt social security system suitable to the needs of the people.

The Senate, for its part, will continue to legislate measures that it believes are critical and will be effective in uplifting the lives and welfare of our people. The Senate will not be hindered by this veto. We will look at it again and we will work hard to perfect the bill and finally give the people what it so deserve.

Finally, I would like to note that it is the first measure that was vetoed by the President insofar as the 16th Congress is concerned. The President and the Congress -- both the Senate and the House of Representatives -- have a harmonious and productive working relationship that resulted in the passage of numerous laws that help our people, including the mandatory Philhealth coverage for all senior citizens and the law that raises the tax exemption ceiling on the 13th month pay, among others.