THE Social Security System’s (SSS) Employees’ Union, Alert and Concerned Employees of the SSS (ACCESS), on Monday called for a speedy and impartial resolution of the on-going case against the four accused officials of the pension fund citing that the trial by publicity of the administrative complaint has already compromised the integrity of the institution.
All wearing a blue ribbon during the agency's flag raising ceremony on Monday, ACCESS President Amorsolo Competente asked SSS employees to show their support for the immediate and fair resolution of the on-going administrative complaint through proper investigation while observing due process.
“Ang asul na laso ay ating isusuot bilang simbolo ng ating pagkakaisa sa layunin na matuklasan ang katotohanan sa likod ng mga kontrobersiya ang pagpapakita ng masugid na suporta para sa ating minamahal na SSS,” Competente said.
“Baka iniisip po ninyo na tayo’y nandito para ipagtanggol ang mga nasasakdal, hindi po. Ang una po nating ipinaglalaban dito, ay yung integridad ng SSS, sapagkat ang integridad ng SSS ay integridad ng sambayanang Pilipino, integridad ng gobyernong Duterte,” Competente added.
Competente, likewise, appealed to Social Security Commissioner Jose Gabriel La Vina, to stop the “trial publicity” and let the case prosper in court, which in this case is the Social Security Commission (SSC).
“Ang pamunuan ng ACCESS ay naniniwala na marapat pairalin ang tamang proseso sa pagtuklas sa katotohanan upang makamit ang tunay na hustisya at hindi idinadaan sa publisidad. Lubos naming kinokondena ang kabi-kabilang alegasyon laban sa apat na matataas na opisyal ng SSS habang ang imbestigasyon ay kasalukuyang isinasagawa ng SSC,” Competente said during the flag raising ceremony of the agency.
“This [investigation] is about the thrust to know the truth and get to the bottom of everything, an impartial, speedy, resolution of the case kasi hanggang nabibitin po ito, ang integridad ng sss ay nakabinbin o nakabitin,” he added.
He also clarified that the officials included in the administrative complaint are career officials, contrary to reports saying they are presidential appointees.
The union head also plead not to use the on-going controversy for political mileage of several personalities. “Last word ko na po sa inyo Commissioner La Viña, kapag ipinagpatuloy ninyo ang trial by publicity maniniwala na ako na ginagamit niyo ang SSS for political purposes.”
SSS management, meanwhile, said it adheres to the ethical standards of the institution. “Everyone has a right to a due process, this blue ribbon is a gesture of support to the SSS ethical standards. We are all committed to entail the highest level of integrity of SSS which has been compromised by this trial of publicity of an administrative complaint.”
Based on the SSS Code of Ethics’ Prohibited Acts and Transactions under Section 8.A.I, any SSS official or employee is prohibited in using or divulging confidential or classified information officially known to him by reason of his office and not made available to the public, either to further his private interests, or give undue advantage to anyone; or to prejudice the public interest.
Section 8.A.II, likewise, stated that disclosing confidential information given by parties, counsel, witness, or any other person during investigation in a pending administrative case except when expressly authorized by the disciplining authority.
SSS said it welcomes and supports the congressional probe being contemplated by Congress, as well the participation of other government agencies like National Bureau of Investigation, Office of the Ombudsman, and Capital Market Integrity Board to ensure that the investigation will be complete and thorough.
“SSS is equally committed to pursue a no-nonsense investigation to ensure that we ferret out the truth and duly establish the guilt or innocence of persons complained of with due regard to due process. We assure Congress of our full cooperation and support in the conduct of its investigation,” the pension fund said in a statement during the flag raising ceremony.
“But in no way that our operations will be affected by this media fiasco. We have about 3,500 members and pensioners joining us today for our Members’ Day. Let us embrace them with our dedication to public service,” it added
Amid the on-going media controversy, SSS held its “Members’ Day” dubbed as “Handog Serbisyo Para sa Miyembro” at the SSS Quadrangle at East Ave., Diliman, Quezon City.
SSS invited its members to the said activity, where the first 2,000 SSS members can avail of free medical, dental and optical services. Free haircut and reflexology services are also being offered during the program. (PR)