The Alliance of Concerned Teachers today held a demonstration at the main office of the Social Security System (SSS) in Quezon City to protest the appointment of Romulo Neri as the pension fund’s new president. Today is Neri’s first day at work as the new administrator of SSS.

“We’re here first of all to denounce Malacañang for appointing Romulo Neri to this post. It’s a brazen attempt to take control of the multi-billion peso pension funds of private sector workers so they can be used to promote the interests of Pres. Arroyo, her political allies, and business cronies,” said ACT chairperson Antonio Tinio.

Tinio noted that the teachers’ organization was holding the protest in behalf of its members from the private sector. “We’re afraid that the pension funds of private school teachers and other private sector employees will suffer the same fate as the GSIS funds.  Winston Garcia has been using the pension funds of public sector employees as the administration’s war chest, waging a proxy war against Meralco in behalf of the Arroyos and their cronies. Meanwhile, the long-running issues brought by its members against GSIS remain unresolved.”

ACT reiterated its call, first made at the height of the NBN-ZTE corruption scandal, for the resignation of Neri from government service.

“The key role played by Neri in covering up Pres. Arroyo’s role in the NBN-ZTE scandal as well as his active participation in the attempt to silence the testimony of Jun Lozada shows that he is just the type of dependable lackey the Palace needs to take control of the SSS funds. Neri and his ilk who place the interests of their political patrons over and above the interests of the people have no right to remain in public service,” said Tinio.

Around 20 ACT members picketed the main gate of the SSS compound, holding placards with slogans such as “Malacañang, hands off our pension funds!” and “Neri, resign!” #