Neri fends off criticisms, says he's qualified for top SSS post

MANILA, Philippines - Incoming Social Security System (SSS) president Romulo Neri laughed off Thursday criticisms surrounding his appointment to the pension agency, as he declared he is qualified for the job. In a radio interview, Neri justified his appointment by saying he will bring to the SSS a "proper background" on money matters and a focus on proper collection and investments. Neri is scheduled to take over the top SSS post on August 1, a day after outgoing SSS president Corazon dela Paz's resignation takes effect. "They are entitled to their own opinion," Neri said after a chuckle, in an interview on radio dwIZ when told about criticisms to his appointment. Earlier, opposition Sen. Francis Escudero said Neri's appointment raises fears about the possibility of Malacañang influencing the handling of SSS funds. Escudero also cited Neri's track record of "covering up" for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the controversial national broadband network (NBN) mess. Neri, who was the former director general of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), was widely criticized for his reluctance to divulge information on the NBN deal other than saying that resigned Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos offered him a bribe for the approval of the $329.5 million project. Neri had clammed up about his conversation with President Arroyo regarding the controversial project, which critics said was an attempt at covering up for the President. In the radio interview, Neri enumerated his qualifications to justify his appointment to his new post. "I have a very good track record (in the) private sector. I was in the field of finance at Mobil Oil and Petron, PNOC, Petrophil. I have the proper background. I have a masters in business administration from the University of California in Los Angeles," Neri said. He also twitted some of his critics, saying he does not need a background in banking because lending money is not the primary function of SSS. Neri insisted the SSS' main function is an administrative fund that should invest money properly for the good of the members. When asked what he will prioritize in the SSS, Neri said he will improve the collection of contributions, especially from firms that do not remit them properly. "Make sure it's properly collected... May kumpanya kinukulekta sa members di nire-remit ang contribution. And the funds must be invested properly, ang buhay ng pension fund is to invest the funds well (There are some companies that collect SSS funds from members but do not remit them. And we have to invest the collected funds properly because that is the life of a pension fund)," Neri said. On the other hand, Neri said he will look into other "concerns" of members, including a bigger salary loan. "Pwede natin tingnan yan (We can look into that) but the primary function is not really lending but to invest the funds well," he said. Meanwhile, Justice Sec. Raul Gonzalez defended Neri's appointment, saying he is competent in his job. "Neri is competent insofar as matters like that are concerned... That (his appointment) is her (President Arroyo's) own prerogative," Gonzalez said in a separate interview on dwIZ. "There will always be critics on this but the choice of people to man certain important agencies of government belongs to the president," he added. Besides, Gonzalez said Neri has not been proven guilty of his supposed involvement in the $329.48-million ZTE broadband deal mess. "So the presumption of innocence under the Constitution holds in his favor," he said. - GMANews.TV