Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Around a hundred people on Monday (January 18) marched from Recto to Mendiola to demand for the P2000 pension hike from the Social Security System (SSS).
The bill raising pensions was vetoed by President Benigno Aquino III last January 14 for fear it would bankrupt the SSS and leave nothing to future retirees.
Related: Aquino defends veto of SSS pension hike bill
Protesters condemned the president’s decision, demanding that Congress override the veto and do everything in their power to make sure the increase happens.
Lawmakers can override the veto of the President with two-thirds vote from both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Throwing rotten tomatoes and eggs at a mounted image of the president in Mendiola, the protesters insisted on the P2,000 increase in monthly pension and refused to compromise on a lesser amount.
Related: SSS pensioners dismayed by Aquino’s decision to turn down hike bill
Another group is marching to the House of Representatives on Monday afternoon to support a privilege speech on the vetoed bill by led by Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Neri Colmenares, who authored the proposed law.
The group plans to hold more protests in front of SSS offices all over the country, and at the Senate and the lower House, to show their disappointment at the president’s decision.
Related: SSS pension hike bill author denounces veto, calls Pres. Aquino anti-poor
