House OKs Duterte power to stop PhilHealth, SSS premium hikes

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading two separate bills authorizing President Rodrigo Duterte to legally suspend the scheduled increases in Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and the Social Security System (SSS) premium rates this year. Voting 227-6-0, the House approved House Bill No. 8461 allowing the President to suspend the scheduled increases “in times of national emergencies” after consultation with health and finance secretaries. With 228 affirmative votes, six negative votes and no abstention, the House also passed House Bill No. 8512 granting Duterte the power to suspend the scheduled contribution hikes in SSS. —Nestor Corrales