Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Seeing the poor attendance at the House of Representatives on Monday (January 18) — the first session day of Congress for 2016 — Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares deemed it wise to reschedule his privilege speech against the president’s veto on a proposed state-pension fund hike.
A two-thirds vote is needed to override President Benigno Aquino III’s veto on House Bill 5842 which aims to hike the Social Security System (SSS) monthly pension by P2,000.
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Without a quorum, it will not be possible to muster about over 191 votes out of the 287 congressmen — and absenteeism has been a nagging problem at the House.
Colmenares said he planned to deliver the speech instead on February 3 — the last session day of Congress before it goes on a break again.
He added that Aquino turned down the bill because he would rather put money on power subsidy to private corporations and debt interest payment.
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Refuting Aquino’s claim of SSS insolvency, Colmenares held that the agency could instead improve on its collection efficiency — which now stood at only 38 to 45 percent — to beef up its resources.
The lawmaker added that the SSS should also review other items, such as the hefty bonuses of its board members that range from P2.3 million to over P7 million.
Belmonte not keen on override
Meanwhile, the House leadership was not about to override the veto — which they said would embarrass a popular president.
Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. said that he planned to write a letter instead to the president, the SSS and the Senate to ask for at least P1,000 hike.
Belmonte said he would ask senators to pass House Bill 6112 that empowers the SSS board to approve an increase in member contribution.
The bill was passed in the House last year but remains pending at the Senate.
The Speaker said this proposed measure would make sure that the state-pension fund agency would not go bankrupt.
CNN Philippines’ Pia Bonalos contributed to this report.
