SSS chief steps down, cites automatic end of term

MANILA, Philippines — Social Security System (SSS) president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Dooc has submitted his resignation to President Duterte following the expiration of his term upon effectivity of the new Social Security Law.

In his letter to Duterte submitted on March 5, Dooc said he is voluntarily and irrevocably stepping down from his position to provide the President the opportunity to name a new SSS president and CEO.

Dooc said his decision to resign came upon the effectivity of Republic Act 11199 or the Social Security Act, which has rendered his term as SSS chief expired.

Dooc said he was appointed under the old SSS charter.

“My term of office expired upon the effectivity of the new SSS charter on March 5, 2019. So, I informed President Duterte that I am voluntarily and irrevocably stepping down from my post effective immediately,” he said in a text message.

“I thanked him for his support and the opportunity to serve our country and the people,” he added.

While he was not required to resign upon effectivity of the law, Dooc said the submission of his letter to the Chief Executive was “a matter of delicadeza.”

“But I’m sincere and serious about it, that’s why I mentioned irrevocable,” he said.

Dooc said he would not recommend names for the next SSS president, but would instead leave the decision up to the President.

Currently, Dooc said he is staying at the SSS in a holdover capacity.

Dooc joined the SSS in November 2016 after serving as Insurance Commissioner starting 2011.

“I’m happy and I’d like to think that I’m leaving SSS in a better shape than when I found it. We have a new law, which empowers the SSS to introduce reforms,” he said.

“Our records would show that we have improved our collections. We have better collection efficiency. We have expanded the programs. Now, we have unemployment benefit. We will provide mandatory cover to all (overseas Filipino workers). Then, under the new expanded maternity benefits, SSS will be the implementing arm to provide the expanded benefits to our pregnant women and those who will suffer miscarriages,” he added.

As the 17th chief of the SSS, Dooc successfully pushed for the enactment of the new Social Security Law, which is expected to have a long-term impact on the viability of the pension fund. It is also considered critical in providing more benefits to its members and pensioners.

SSS said Dooc’s management also posted the highest members’ contribution collection in the history of the pension fund, which amounted to P181 billion in 2018.

SSS attributed this to the reforms introduced during Dooc’s term, including the Run After Contribution Evaders campaign, which aims for the issuance of show-cause orders in establishments that violate the Social Security Law.

He also initiated the SSS’s version of Oplan Tokhang, in which warrants of arrest are issued against court-convicted delinquent employers in coordination with the Philippine National Police.

The Warrant of Distraint, Levy and Garnishment was also implemented during his term.

Benefit disbursements were also highest during Dooc’s term, with P180 billion released in 2018, according to SSS. The P1,000 additional benefit for pensioners was implemented in January 2017.

Dooc also pushed for programs such as the Loan Restructuring Program with penalty condonation to allow members to settle their delinquent loans with easy payment terms minus the penalty.

The Calamity Loan Assistance Package was introduced during his administration.

Dooc also initiated a Pension Loan Program in response to the clamor of retirees who were forced to borrow from loan sharks due to financial contingencies.

Under his watch, the SSS launched the Real-Time Processing of Contributions, which prevents delays in processing benefit claims as contributions are posted immediately upon payment.