Recto wants GSIS charter to specify members’ rights

The charter on the state pension fund Government Service Insurance System must undergo revisions to include a provision on members’ rights, Senator Ralph Recto said Sunday.

In a statement, Recto said the GSIS Charter, or Republic Act 8291, must include a provision on the rights of GSIS members mandating the agency to expedite the processing of claims, to act with courtesy towards members, to regularly update its members on GSIS benefits, and to give its aggrieved members the “right to be heard."

In its present version, the GSIS Charter does not have a provision on the rights of members.

“With these rights [upheld], no member of GSIS would sail into their sunset feeling bitter, empty and shortchanged by the same agency that they helped keep afloat through their monthly contributions," Recto said.

The senator added that administrative sanctions await any GSIS official or unit violating the rights of the pension fund’s members.

In an episode of the public service program “On Call" on GMA News TV, GSIS members raised complaints ranging from faulty records and delayed benefits.

Retired teacher Zenaida Yasay told the program, “For 44 years of service, naku, ‘di mas maganda pa pala ‘yung mga nanananalo d’yan ng one million sa mga palaro sa television (For someone who spent 44 years in service, those who win a million pesos in television game shows seem to be better off)."


On the same television program, GSIS executive vice president for operations Connie Manansala assured the members the pension fund can adequately respond to their needs.


Recto also called for a revamp of the GSIS Board of Trustees to include the secretary of the Department of Education and the chairperson of the Civil Service Commission.

The senator explained that the move will “strengthen the ranks of government workers in the board and ensure that their welfare is protected at all times."

In its present setup, the GSIS Board includes the president and general manager of the GSIS, the president of the Philippine Public School Teachers Association or the president of the Philippine Association of School Superintendents, a GSIS lawyer-member, two representatives from the ranks of government employees, and four from the banking, finance, and insurance sectors.

Meanwhile, stories about the state pension fund hogged the headlines last week after the Bureau of Internal Revenue filed tax-evasion complaints against current and former GSIS executives. — LBG, GMA News