SSS execs get P117 M in salaries – Colmenares

MANILA, Philippines – Officers of the Social Security System (SSS) received nearly P117 million in salaries, allowances and other incentives in 2014, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said yesterday.

“While SSS officials enjoy millions in salaries, perks and bonuses, they deny more than two million pensioners a measly pension increase of P2,000,” he said.

He said among the highest-paid officers and trustees of the pension fund for private sector workers were Elizabeth Bettina Antonio, board member/commissioner, who received P5,997,400; Rizaldy Capulong, executive vice president, P4,959,898.83; Eddie Jara, senior vice president, P4,949,365.24; Jose Bautista, senior vice president, P4,896,557.43; Judy Frances See, senior vice president, P4,858,929.87; May Catherine Ciriaco, vice president, P4,747,589.90; and Mario Sibucao, vice president, P4,557,731.53.

Board chairman Juan Santos was paid a total of P4,196,399.84; while president and chief executive officer Emilio de Quiros Jr. received P4,188,698.36 and P2,656,000 as board member/commissioner. Vice president for public affairs Marissu Bugante earned P4,070,048.65.

Colmenares said his figures are based on a Commission on Audit report.

The other officers and their compensation were Agnes San Jose, vice president, P4,414,748.40; Gwen Marie Samontina, vice president, P4,200,986.73; Josie Magana, vice president, P4,034,846.60; Daniel Edralin, board member/commissioner, P3,862,000; Nicholas Balbuena, vice president, P3,847,975.53; Antonio Argabioso, vice president, P3,816,354.33; Elvira Resare, vice president, P3,466,051.92; Milagros Pacayatan, vice president, P3,448,065.53; Voltaire Agas, senior vice president, P3,394,885.21; Ibarra Alonzo, board member/commissioner, P3,307,000; Diana Aguilar, board member/commissioner, P3,187,400; and Nestor Sacayan, vice president, P3,156,404.73.

Board member/commissioner Marianita Mendoza received P2,998,400; Jesse Caberoy, vice president, P2,866,869.27; Ma. Lourdes Mendoza, vice president, P2,556,590.01; former labor secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, board member/commissioner, P2,532,200; George Ongkeko, senior vice president, P2,392,922.27; Gamelin Oczon, vice president, P2,343,084.25; Hidelza Castillo, vice president, P2,162,399.84; Joel Layson, senior vice president, P1,793,339.17; and Edgar Solilapsi, executive vice president, P1,677,182.46.

Colmenares authored the Congress-approved bill seeking a P2,000 increase in the monthly pension of 2.15 million SSS pensioners.

President Aquino vetoed the bill upon recommendation by SSS and finance officials.

Aquino said the P2,000 increase, if granted, would eventually lead to the collapse of the SSS pension fund.

He said he chose to protect more than 30 million active SSS members, instead of giving more than two million retirees an additional P2,000 a month.

SSS officers have been criticized for pocketing millions in compensation and not increasing the minimum pension, which is only P1,200 a month.