Palace execs: Neri appointment won't mean diversion of SSS funds

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Friday sought to downplay fears that the appointment of former Commission on Higher Education chief Romulo Neri to the top Social Security System (SSS) post would mean diverting the agency's P248-billion fund to finance government programs. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Press Secretary Jesus Dureza issued their statements amid fears that Neri's appointment was part of a Palace plan to divert funds to finance its programs. Ermita said that Neri - who had also been appointed to the Malacañang task force which would oversee pro-poor programs - will not have the power to solely decide on how the agency's fund would be used. "Siguradong hindi magagamit iyan. Ang lagay lang niyan, dahil naninniwala lamang kasi si Presidente Arroyo na kinakailangan ang isa lamang oversight ng programang iyan. Sabi ko nga kay Secretary Neri, hindi nangangahulugan na ikaw ang magpapatakbo ng programa ng DSWD, DOH, Landbank at kung ano pa,"he said. Ermita was referring to the recent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directive which created the National Welfare Social program. Under that directive, the different social welfare and related programs of different agencies like the Departments of Health, and Social Welfare and Development were consolidated. Neri, as SSS chief, heads that cluster. For his part, Dureza said Friday that critics of the Neri and the President are entitled to their opinion, but he is confident that "Secretary Neri will do what is appropriate". He added that it was better to give Neri a chance to prove himself instead of prejudging him or "assuming" that the funds would be used for other purpose. Dureza feels that it is unlikely that Neri or any other official would be able to misuse or divert the pension funds of the SSS or other matters with the commitment of the agency's own workers union to be vigilant in monitoring the developments in their office. "With the very vigilant constituency not to say that he seats in a commission and decisions are done collectively in a commission, and not to mention the vigilance of press, and not to mention incisive watchdog work of many in the opposition, these are factors that will ensure na those apprehensions can be assuaged," he said. Ermita on Friday said that the consolidation was necessary to ensure that the programs of the government reach the intended beneficiaries especially at present when the prices of oil and other commodities continue to rise. - GMANews.TV