Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Reaular Session

H.B.No, 824

Introduced by HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO “SONN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The prospect of retiring either from a private or government employment should
be the most satisfying moment for every hardworking employee. This is because one
who retires can look forward to spending as leisurely as possible the remaining days of
his life, the duration of which may depend on his state of health. In most cases, retiring
individuals always look forward to many years of enjoyable living

in reality, however, many persons who have reached the retirement age find the
prospect of retiring a discouraging experience because of the thought primarily that they
will not be getting regular salaries anymore. Moreover, this is because also of the bad
experiences of many who encounter hardship in finally getting their application for
retirement approved either by the GSIS or by the SSS after a long period of time

In the SSS, for example, they say the application form to retire usually requires
‘only about four (4) supporting papers. However, an applicant is thereafter asked to
reproduce and resubmit the same number of documents not only for the second time
but also for the third time and maybe for the fourth time. They even say that the
documents are asked to be presented on installment basis. In one case, for a mere
clerical error of the employer in certifying that the retiring SSS covered member's last
day in office was December 31, 1992 although it should have been December 31, 1991,
the processing of his retirement application was delayed for more than one year,
because it took this much time for the SSS to notify the retiring member in Bohol,

Such a clerical error could be ascertained by the SSS personnel if only they are
mindful of the desired needs of the retiring members to get immediately their retiring
benefits and pensions.

One can easily imaging the pains and disappointment experienced by a retiring
member who cannot get his retirement benefits and pension because of the confusion
in the documentations which could have been detected earlier by the SSS or the GSIS
personnel with the exercise of due diligence. In practice, they say, the personnel in both
offices do not have the sense of urgency in attending to the application for retirement of
retiring members because of the absence of a law that mandates the payment of
retirement benefits and pension within a specified period of time and for lack of possible
criminal liability on their part in the event that they become instrumental to the delay in
the payment of such benefits.


We have heard the complaints of numerous retiring members from the GSIS and
the SSS who appeal for assistance from our office to intervene for them so that their
retirement benefits and pensions could be paid to them as early as possible. To end up
this agonizing experience for our retiring employees, which could trigger a heart seizure
or a stroke, the enclosed bill is hereby presented. As worded, the proposed measure
mandates the payment of retirement benefits to SSS and GSIS members within a
maximum period of thirty (30) days from the date of his retirement. Violation of this
mandatory provision will make such responsible employee criminally liable and for
which he could be sentenced to a one-year imprisonment plus fine of Ten Thousand
Pesos (P! 0,000.00).

In view of the foregoing considerations, the approval of the enclosed bill is

hereby requested

JGAN Et DO “SONNY” M. ANGARA
Representaive
Lone District, Province of Aurora


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

621

H.B. No. 2%:

Introduced by Honorable JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

AN ACT
MANDATING THE PAYMENT OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS TO SSS OR GSIS
MEMBERS WITHIN A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF THIRTY (30) DAYS FROM THE
RETIREMENT DATE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of thePhilippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Any law to the contrary notwithstanding the payment of retirement
benefits and pensions to all members of the Social Security System (SSS) and the

Government Service and Insurance System (GSIS) shall be made within a maximum

period of thirty (30) days from the retirement date.

SEC. 2. The requirements for retirement in the SSS and in the GSIS shall be in
simple forms and the retiring member shall be provided with the prompt assistance from
said offices in the accomplishment of whatever requirements shall be needed as early

as six (6) month prior to his retirement date.

SEC. 3. The penalty of one (1) year imprisonment and a fine of Ten Thousand
Pesos (P10,000.00) shall be imposed upon any person who shall violate any of the

provisions of this Act

SEC. 4. The respective boards of the SSS and the GSIS shall promulgate such
rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Act within a period

of three (3) months from the approvai hereof.


SEC. 5. All laws, decrees or executive issuances and any rules and regulations
or any part thereof which may be inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are

hereby deemed repealed, amended or modifies accordingly.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete

publication in two (2) newspapers of general publication.

Approved,