Apostol appointed legal consultant for SSS policy-making body

MANILA, Philippines – Three weeks after he resigned as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, Sergio Apostol was given a post at the policy-making body of the Social Security Systems (SSS). In a telephone interview with GMANews.TV, Apostol confirmed that effective October 2008, he will assume his post as legal consultant of the SSS’ Social Security Commission (SSC). “Totoo iyan. Legal consultant ako sa SSS (That’s true. I’m a legal consultant at SSS)," Apostol said. He added that he will serve as concurrent member of the Union Bank of the Philippines ’ board of directors. Last week, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced that the Palace lawyer had resigned from office but that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has not yet named a replacement. Apostol was a former congressman of the 2nd district of Leyte and one of the prosecutors during the impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada, who was deposed in 2001 through a popular revolt. Apostol was appointed Chief Presidential Legal Counsel a year after his term as Leyte congressman lapsed. For his part, SSC Chairperson Thelmo Cunanan said Apostol will make a significant contribution as the government agency’s legal consultant. “The Commission would benefit from Apostol’s expertise in studying and evaluating possible amendments to the SSS Charter to make it more receptive in addressing the welfare of SSS members," Cunanan said in a statement. The statement noted that the SSC Charter was last amended in 1997 with the enactment of Republic Act 8282, the statement said. The nine-member SSC is composed of representatives from the government, management and labor sectors. These include Victorino Balais, Marianita Mendoza, Jose Donny Matula, Fe Tibayan-Palileo, Donald Dee and Sergio Ortiz Luiz. SSS President and Chief Executive Director Romulo Neri and Labor Secretary Marianito Roque serve as ex-officio members. - GMANews.TV