Puno welcomes move to defer hike in SSS dues

Opposition senatorial candidate Ricardo "Dong" Puno Jr. welcomed Friday Malacañang’s sudden decision to defer for two years its plan to raise the contributions of members of the Social Security System (SSS), but stressed that the government should conduct a thorough review of the salaries and perks received by officials not only in the SSS but in other government financial institutions (GFIs) as well to ensure that their mandate remains pro-masa.

Puno said belt-tightening measures and efforts to shore up the cash position of GFIs should start with the officials of these institutions, instead of passing on this burden to the masa, which they are duty-bound to serve.

"While we welcome the good news on the Palace decision to defer the planned hike in SSS contributions, the government should also make a reassessment of the salaries and benefits of the high officials in this agency and other GFIs with the end in view of reducing these parks," said the frontrunning Laban-Puwersa ng Masa senatorial candidate.

The former press secretary and presidential spokesman was one of the first senatorial candidates who strongly opposed the Palace proposal to hike the premiums paid by the country’s 23 million SSS members.