SSS pension hike: Solons pressured to override veto

CEBU, Philippines - Members of the multi-sectoral coalition Sanlakas yesterday held a simultaneous picket rally nationwide at the various offices and even residences of the members of the House of Representatives to pressure the lawmakers to override the veto of President Benigno Aquino on the proposed pension hike of the Social Security System pensioners.

The picket rallies were held in Laguna, Cavite, Tacloban, Cebu, Negros, Bukidnon, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Zamboanga del Sur, and Iligan City.

Human rights lawyer Aaron Pedrosa led the group in Cebu in holding picket at the district office of Cebu City south district Rep. Rodrigo ‘Bebot’ Abellanosa.

Pedrosa explained that the activity was just a symbolic protest and was not meant to single out Abellanosa. He said the group is urging all Cebuano lawmakers to truly represent the people by voting to override the veto of the president.

Pedrosa, secretary-general of Sanlakas, has called on the legislative “to act as a co-equal branch of government by defending its previous position in an override of the presidential veto of the needed hike in SSS pensions.”

The Constitution allows Congress to set aside the president’s veto and preserve the bill approved by the bicameral committee through a vote of two-thirds of all the members of Congress.

Pedrosa said that without the political will to truly operationalize a check and balance mechanism between the two branches, the legislative becomes a mere rubberstamp of Malacañang.

The Congress earlier passed the bill granting P2,000 increase in the monthly pension of SSS pensioners. — (FREEMAN)