The Social Security System (SSS) is seeking public assistance to put a businessman behind bars two years after he was convicted for failure to remit the deducted SSS contributions of his employees.
In a statement on Thursday, SSS Assistant Vice President for Operations Legal Department (OLD)
Renato Jacinto Cuisia said Alberto Surla, owner of AS Surla Construction, was ordered by the Parañaque City Regional Trial Court to pay a fine of P10,000 and serve a prison sentence of up to seven years. Surla was found guilty of violating Republic Act No. 8282 or the Social Security Act of 1997.
Cuisia said the penalty imposed is nonprobationable or can no longer be reduced because the court decision is considered final and executory.
“Moreover, the total collectible of P1,117,013.52, consisting of contribution delinquencies and the 3-percent monthly penalty imposed for late payment of SSS premiums, shall continue to run until the principal amount has been fully paid, in accordance with Section 22 of the SSS charter,” the official said.
The Parañaque City RTC Branch 194 issued an arrest warrant against Surla, including a writ of execution dated March 18, 2014, for its decision dated Feb. 24, 2014, requiring the accused to remit the unpaid civil liabilities. However, the writ remains unsatisfied and the warrant of arrest remains unserved for the sentence imposed on him, the SSS said.
“We would like to seek assistance from the public that if they have any information regarding [his] whereabouts, kindly inform the SSS OLD at 9221057 in order for us to take the necessary steps since there is a standing warrant of arrest for Surla, who is now a fugitive of the law,” Cuisia said.
For the past six years, SSS sued over 15,400 employers for failure to report employees for SSS coverage and refusal to remit monthly contributions of workers.
Out of this number, 26 were sentenced to jail for noncompliance, while most opted to settle their liabilities, SSS said.