Maza Questions Use of SSS funds for economic stimulus package

Gabriela Women's Party Representative Liza Maza today said that SSS chief Romulo Neri's authority to commit Social Security System (SSS) funds for the Malacanang's P300 billion economic stimulus package is questionable.
Citing possible violations of the SSS charter with regards to the use of the employees' or workers' funds, Maza said it is explicit in the SSS charter that their funds should be used to finance the benefits of the members.

"Such should not be used nor diverted for government use to mitigate the impact of the economic crisis. Did SSS chief Romulo Neri even consult or seek the approval of SSS members?"

"Instead of using the funds to the increase of dividends, the delivery of retirement and pension benefits for government and private sector employees, such move imperils the hard-earned money of the employees and workers."

The Gabriela solon also criticized the proposed use of the funds for financing of private sector projects, largely for infrastructure
projects for pump-priming.

"These proposals will, in no way, provide relief measures to address the immediate impact of the global financial crisis. Clearly, the ones who will benefit from these proposals are big businesses, not the poor Filipino families who face threats and realities of job lay-offs, insufficient agricultural subsidies and support services," Maza concluded.