ROXAS TO ADMIN: SHOW NERI'S JOB DESCRIPTION AS SOCIAL WELFARE CZAR
CLEAR CONFLICT OF INTEREST SEEN IN NERI AS CONCURRENT SSS HEAD

Senator Mar Roxas challenged the administration to divulge the full details of Romulo Neri's job description, his mandate, powers, and deliverables as the new head of the "National Social Welfare Program;" as he cited a clear conflict of interest in Neri's concurrent appointment as Social Security System (SSS) administrator.

"Neri's new post as 'National Social Welfare Program' cluster head will certainly conflict with his responsibilities to the 27-million members of SSS who are ordinary workers and employees in the private sector," he said.

He added that the administration must tell the public if there are existing safeguards vis-a-vis Neri's dual role as SSS head and as social welfare cluster head.

"Kung magkagipitan at inutusan siya ng Palasyo na maglabas ng pera ng SSS para sa isang proyekto na hindi naman para sa mga SSS members, makakatanggi ba siya? (If push comes to shove and he is instructed by the Palace to release SSS money for something that will not be for SSS members, will he be able to say no?)," he said.

He noted that Neri's new post as administrator of the Social Security System (SSS) does not have a Cabinet rank, which had been granted to him by Malacañang by virtue of Administrative Order (A.O.) No. 232.

"What exactly is Neri's new role and task that makes him deserve a Cabinet rank? The AO doesn't say much, except that he now heads this new cluster composed of all agencies dealing with social welfare, including SSS, the Government Service Insurance System, DSWD and the Department of Health, among others," he said.

At the same time. Roxas also said that "Romy Neri may be well-educated, capable, qualified, and have a well-decorated CV. But aside from that, competence, integrity and independence are expected of Neri by millions of SSS members."