Teacher's group unfazed by GSIS chief's libel suits

MANILA, Philippines — The militant Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on Saturday accused Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) chief Winston Garcia of resorting to intimidation and harassment in filing libel suits against his critics, instead of answering the issues raised against him. But the teachers said they won’t be cowed into silence by the libel suits and “will continue to seek redress of our grievances." “We stand by our right to freely express our views, which merely reflect the widespread anger and discontent felt by GSIS members," said the group, whose members are mostly public school teachers. Charged by Garcia with libel were ACT chairperson Antonio Tinio and a number of journalists who wrote about the issued raised by the group. The journalists include columnists Federico Pascual Jr of the Philippine Star, Dan Mariano of Manila Times, Raul Valino and Lito Gagni of the Business Mirror, as well as editors Ramon Lim (Philippine Star), Rene Bas (Manila Times), and Lyn Resurreccion (Business Mirror). Tinio was charged for statements attributed to him by the columnists claiming that the GSIS sale of its Meralco shares to San Miguel Corporation was “inimical to the interest of public school teachers." Tinio, in a statement, said ACT members have consistently criticized the policies introduced by Garcia, such as the Premium-Based Policy and the Claims and Loans Interdependency Program, that have unfairly deprived hundreds of thousands of public school teachers and other GSIS members of the full enjoyment of the benefits granted them by law. ACT, he said, has also criticized GSIS for its lack of transparency regarding the placement of GSIS funds in certain local and foreign investments. “Since 2003, these and other policies and related practices have burdened members with unwarranted deductions, onerous interest charges and other penalties," he said. “Unfortunately, instead of addressing the grievances of its members, Garcia and GSIS choose to file libel suits," he added. - GMANews.TV