COA orders return of excess benefits, Christmas gifts given to SSS employees

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COA orders return of excess benefits, Christmas gifts given to SSS employees

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

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MANILA - The Commission on Audit has ordered the return of P71.612 million in excess allowances and benefits given by the officials of the Social Security System to its officers and employees in the National Capital Region for calendar year 2010.

The amount covers overtime pay, incentive awards such as variable pay and Christmas gifts or bank certificates and the allowance of a special counsel.

In a resolution of the commission dated November 21, 2018, COA denied the motion for reconsideration filed by SSS and affirmed the the notice of disallowance issued by the COA corporate government sector cluster.

According to the COA, the Supreme Court said in SSS vs. COA that it has been “very consistent in characterizing the funds being administered by SSS as a trust fund for the welfare and benefit of workers and employees in the private sector.”

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“It has long been settled by the Supreme Court that the SSS has no unbridled authority to grant additional benefits to its officials and employees,” the COA said in the resolution signed by COA Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo and Commissioners Jose Fabia and Roland Pondoc.

In its appeal, the SSS stressed it had autonomy to allocate its budget as mandated by Republic Act No. 8282 or the SSS charter.

It also reiterated that the allowances and other benefits were neither new nor additional or increased benefits.

But the COA noted that the SSS cannot authorize the grant of allowances and benefits without the President's authority.

In the initial notice of disallowance, the following were determined to be liable: SSS commissioners Thelmo Cunanan, Marianito Roque, Jose Sonny Matula, Victorino Balais, Donald Dee, Marianita Mendoza, Sergio Ortiz Luis, Jr., Fe Palileo; human resources Officer-in-Charge Marissa Tizon, section head Joselito Delos Reyes; Assistant Vice President Amelita Dela Torre; and payees or employees of SSS main office.

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Those who received the allowances however should not worry as they are not required to refund the amounts.

“Nevertheless, the passive recipients or payees of the disallowed benefits and allowances, who took no part and are not directly responsible in approving the transactions, may be considered in good faith,” the COA said.

The order of the COA proper also said a supplemental notice will be issued by the audit team leader to include the members of the Board of Trustees who authorized the allowances.

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