97 Iloilo businesses face raps for non-remittance of SSS contributions

Almost a hundred business establishments in the province and city of Iloilo are facing charges for violating the Social Security Law.

The Social Security System (SSS) filed lawsuits against 97 delinquent employers in the first half of 2018.

These employers failed to register their workers for SSS coverage and remit monthly contributions to the pension fund.

Under the law, violators face up to 12 years in prison and a fine of P5,000 to P20,000.

As of October this year, SSS served 40 warrants of arrest to erring employers in Iloilo. Ten posted bail bonds; eight settled their dues; and 22 are still at large.

On Nov. 16, a team led by lawyer Renato Cuisia, vice president for Operations Legal Services Division of SSS, went to two stores inside a mall on Ledesma Street, City Proper to serve arrest warrants.

But the Chinese employers of Changxing Cellphone Merchandising and Gizmo Cellphone and Accessories were nowhere to be found.

Cuisia said Lu Coo of Changxing failed to remit a total of P63, 445 in premium contributions from February 2014 to October 2017.

On the other hand, Mark Anthony Chua of Gizmo did not register his employees with SSS.

Cuisia said Chua’s store was no longer existing.

“Iba na ang pangalan pagdating natin doon. Baka pinalatan lang. Hennes Cellphone Accessories na ang nakapangalan,” he told reporters.

Cuisia said their operation, which he likens to the PNP’s “Oplan Tokhang”, is part of the Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign of SSS.

SOURCE: Iloilo Metropolitan Times

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