Attn GSIS: ‘A single case, a difficult life’

This is a continuation of my letter “Napocor retirees want to know: Where are the GSIS’ ‘responsive’ reforms?” (Opinion 7/16/14).

My sincere thanks to the Inquirer. On July 18, 2014, we received a copy of the GSIS Board of Trustees Resolution No. 93, partially granting our Motion for Reconsideration and Motion for Clarificatory Judgment.

Only the decision for our Motion for Reconsideration for the refund of the very high 6-percent interest per annum that was deducted to us under Republic Act No. 1616 appeared, ordering the GSIS South Luzon Operations Group to process the refund.

There was no mention of our Motion for Clarificatory Judgment which we filed, asking for a re-computation of our monthly pension based on the total length of service, contesting the erroneous use by the Government Service Insurance System-Legazpi City branch of the GSIS premium-based policy computation that was not yet in effect during our retirement on March 1, 2003.

This premium-based policy and the operations manual were only approved by the GSIS Board of Trustees under Board Resolution No. 221 dated Sept. 17, 2003, and took effect on the same date for adoption to its system. It should not be retroactive. This policy adversely affected all GSIS members and pensioners since it was not explained for our appreciation.

On July 28, 2014, we filed our last and final Motion for Reconsideration for the GSIS to re-compute our monthly pension, even challenging the GSIS to require all Napocor employees who also retired on March 1, 2003, but were paid their retirement benefits based on their total length of service, to refund what they received “in excess.” The premium-based policy computation should not apply only to the four of us.

Our case is more than two years old now, a single case the resolution of which is staggered by separate issuances of resolutions that leave pensioners suffering a difficult life.

—ALEXANDER TUGADE,

Purok 5, Barangay Lourdes,

Tiwi, Albay