Group dismayed over Neri's appointment as SSS chief

MANILA, Philippines - The Black and White Movement on Wednesday joined the opposition in the appointment of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Romulo Neri as new president of the Social Security System (SSS). “The Black and White Movement is dismayed at the appointment of Romulo Neri to the SSS,” the group’s convenor, Leah Navarro, said in a statement released shortly after Malacañang made the announcement on Neri’s new assignment Navarro claimed outgoing SSS chairman Corazon dela Paz was axed from her post because she did not allow the Arroyo administration to use her. “By all accounts, Corazon dela Paz tried to do her job without surrendering the keys of the SSS to the administration. The SSS, as a result, has not become a political and patronage tool like the GSIS (Government Service Insurance System),” she said. Neri is set to formally assume his new post on August 1. Navarro said Neri’s appointment is the result of him not implicating President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the $329.48-million national broadband network (NBN) controversy. She said Dela Paz has to go because they need someone, like Neri, who is loyal to the administration and who would do everything to save their faces. “Mr Neri’s refusal to implicate his boss has led GMA to show her gratitude by moving him around from one post to another: First, from NEDA (National Economic Development Authority) to CHED and now to the SSS,” Navarro said. “Neri must be like one of those cheerful ticks that practically infest cattle; happily using his silence to swindle the woman he labels as evil into giving him what he wants,” she added. Navarro said one of the positive aspect of Neri’s removal from the CHED is that those who are opposing his administration are now calmed. “The other value added in the latest Neri-related appointment would be the momentary restoration of calm at the CHED. It is no secret, the CHED workforce have no great love for their current commissioner,” she said. - GMANews.TV