What, only 3 pension increases in 14 years?

This is in reaction to the reply of Marissa G. Bugante, vice president for public affairs and special events of the Social Security System (SSS), to Rudy Coronel’s letter regarding his monthly pension which has not been increased in 14 years (“Retiree apologizes to SSS but feels poorer still,” Opinion, 3/8/14). She pointed out that Coronel’s pension was increased three times in 14 years. Wow! That is equivalent to only 21 percent. How about the 11 years with no increase? Shall he suffer that long, considering prices of almost everything have been going up?

The SSS should raise the percentage to more than 50 percent. On the eve of Labor Day last year, President Aquino announced a 7-percent increase in benefits for SSS members. May I ask the good vice president whether this has been complied with?

Furthermore, I ask the vice president whether the unauthorized performance bonuses given to SSS officers were returned to the government in compliance with the Commission on Audit’s order.

A columnist of a local newspaper wrote that in 2012, SSS officers were paid P10 million in bonuses. Below are the eight officers who “shared” the P10 million. Allow me to indicate only their initials together with the amount they received:

1. I.A.M.—P1.41 million

2. D.V.P.A.—P1.33 million

3. B.E.L.—P1.30 million

4. J.B.S.—P1.17 million

5. D.L.E.—P1.12 million

6. E.S.Q.—P1.04 million

7. M.O.M.—P1.02 million

8. E.R.A.—P0.97 million

—BERNARDO V. PERALTA,

retired accounting professor,

Cebu City