SSS pension hike bill may lapse into law

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino only has a few days left to veto or reject the bill seeking a P2,000 increase in the monthly pension of Social Security System (SSS) retirees.

Based on the records of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO), it received the printed copy of the bill from the House of Representatives last Dec. 15.

Under the Constitution, a bill approved by Congress shall become a law if signed by the President. He can veto the bill if he does not want to sign it.

“The President shall communicate his veto of any bill to the House where it originated within 30 days after the date of receipt thereof; otherwise, it shall become a law as if he had signed it,” the Charter also states.

Since the PLLO is part of the Office of the President (OP) and is in fact its liaison with the legislature, its receipt of a Congress-approved bill is considered OP receipt of such measure.

Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, one of the bill’s authors, had said the President’s office had a different reckoning point for the 30-day period.

“The SSS pension increase bill was transmitted to PLLO last Dec. 15. Let us be generous and say the President received it Dec. 25, so the 30th day will be Jan. 24,” he said.

The House of Representatives passed the SSS pension increase bill on June 9, 2015 and the Senate adopted it without amendments five months later on Nov. 9.

House members have been urging Aquino to sign the measure. The latest member to make such an appeal is Mark Villar of Las Piñas.

Colmenares said the minimum SSS pension at present is P1,200 a month. – With Ding Cervantes