The Philippines’ Social Security System (SSS) has a new head, the second in three weeks since former chief Rolando Macasaet left to join politics.
Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, president of the Southeast Asian nation, appointed Voltaire P. Agas, a lawyer who has worked at the SSS since 2012, as head, or officer in charge, of the 936.3 billion peso (US$16.2 billion) pension fund.
The SSS announced the appointment in a statement on October 28.
Agas replaces Robert Joseph De Claro, who had only headed the fund since October 7. According to the statement, the Social Security Commission, the policymaking body of the SSS, named him to succeed Macasaet to ensure “continuous day-to-day operations” until Marcos appointed a new chief.
De Claro will remain a member of the commission, where he represents the employers’ group.
The SSS says Agas is the first career official from its ranks to head the pension fund. He began his career at the SSS as chief legal counsel and was most recently executive vice president for branch operations. He has also worked at the Public Attorney’s Office.