MANILA, Jan. 15, 2015— President Benigno Aquino III drew the ire of a Catholic bishop after he vetoed a bill increasing the pension of Social Security System (SSS) members.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said Aquino’s action only shows his lack of empathy for ordinary Filipinos.
“By vetoing the bill for increase of pension of SSS members, PNoy has clearly shown that his program of ‘inclusive growth’ is mere rhetoric,” Pabillo said. “Do we vote those who will continue this anti-poor policy?”
Malacañang said the stability of the SSS would be compromised if it would allow the additional fee of P2,000 for each of almost two million pensioners.
According to prelate, this is not the first time that the President has rejected a measure that aims to uplift the condition of the poor.
“We must remember that PNoy also vetoed the bill on Magna Carta for the Poor,” he said.
The prelate said millions of poor Filipinos needed the measure because it would provide them shelter, livelihood and health services.
Aquino, however, rejected the bill in 2013, saying that the government does not have the money to implement it. (R. Lagarde/CBCPNews)
