FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1316 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
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 
(P10,OOO.00). 
In view of the foregoing considerations, the approval of the enclosed bill is 
hereby requested. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1316 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
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 the 
Philippines 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. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 3. The penalty, of one (1) year imprisonment and a fine of Ten 
Thousand Pesos (P10,OOO.OO) shall be imposed upon any person who shall 
violate any of the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 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 approval hereof. 
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SECTION 5. All laws, d!,!crees 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, 
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