Statement on veto of bill raising the SSS pension

The veto on the bill raising by P2,000 the pension of 1.9 million Social Security System (SSS) pensioners is most unfortunate.

Our elderly and the retired sector have been eagerly awaiting the enactment of this bill. It is very sad that the merit of the bill and the help it intends to bring were overlooked and will no longer be enjoyed by the pensioners.

The committee that I chair, the Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises, worked tediously and studied this bill carefully. It remains my position that the additional P2,000 can be given without putting the stability of the SSS fund in jeopardy.

Nonetheless, we will try to look for alternative ways to help the pensioners. If unable, we will prioritize the passage of the same bill next Congress.