SC defers action on petition vs hike in SSS contributions

By: Tetch Torres-Tupas - 11 years ago

The Supreme Court building in Manila. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court has deferred acting on a petition by a militant group to stop the implementation of a 0.6 percent increase in premium contributions by the Social Security System (SSS).

At the same time, the high court ordered respondent SSS to comment within 10 days to the petition by the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).

“The Court required respondents to comment within 10 days from receipt but deferred action on the prayer for TRO,” the high court said.

KMU, in its petition said the increase was unnecessary, and “may simply go to the pockets of big capitalists in the form of start-up capital for projects under the government’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program.”

“The SSS definitely does not need to increase premium contributions just to continue their services. The truth is [it] already [has] more than enough funds from extorting its members,” KMU said.

Starting this January, SSS monthly contributions will increase to 11-percent from 10.4-percent.

For employed SSS members, the employer will shoulder 7.37-percent of the contribution while the employee will pay the remaining 3.63-percent.

Self-employed and voluntary members will shoulder the entire 11-percent monthly contribution rate.