BY BULATLAT

Legislators want to investigate the use of Social Security System (SSS) funds for the Arroyo administration’s economic stimulus package.

Recently, SSS President Romulo Neri committed P12.5 billion to the economic stimulus fund.

Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Representative Liza Maza, Gabriela Representative Luz Ilagan and Anakpawis Representative Rafael Mariano filed a resolution today seeking to probe the implications of such move to the benefits of private sector workers. The legislators also want to push for a review of the SSS charter.

Maza said SSS members have the right as fund owners to determine and decide on where their contributions should be invested or channeled.

She asserted that the SSS funds should be used to directly assist the members who have been retrenched and those who may lose their jobs because of the financial crisis instead of directing the funds to infrastructure projects.

Maza added, “SSS President Romulo Neri has to account to the about 27 million SSS members on how he is going to use their hard-earned money. We expect him to appear before the committee hearing this week to explain why he is committing P12.5 B SSS funds without due consultation to the members.”

Maza has also set up an internet campaign, “Protect our funds” through her Facebook account. An online petition, has also been launched by SSS and GSIS members to stop the use of their funds by the Arroyo government.(Bulatlat.com)