ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro commended the Supreme Court for reprimanding the Government Service Insurance System and compelling it to give a retired school teacher her pension.

“The Supreme Court’s decision is a significant victory not just for our retired teachers but to all government employees who have dedicated their lives to the noble profession of educating our nation’s youth and government service,” Castro said.

“It is a clear message that the rights and welfare of our educators should never be compromised,” she added.

Clarita D. Aclado challenged before the high court the decision of the GSIS to deny her pension on the grounds that she had outstanding loans that remained unpaid even after her retirement.

The GSIS had imposed interest and penalties on her loans, resulting in zero proceeds from her retirement benefits.

Aclado filed a petition to challenge the decision of the GSIS Committee on Claims, which denied her request to lower the interest and penalties on her loans.

The GSIS Board of Trustees also denied her appeal, saying that it was filed out of time.

Aclado sought relief from the high court, arguing that the procedural rules should be relaxed in her case.

The tribunal ruled that the GSIS Board of Trustees erred in basing its decision solely on procedural technicality and failing to consider the merits of her request.

The SC also noted the excessive penalty charges imposed by GSIS on Aclado’s unpaid loan balances.

“We call on the GSIS and other concerned government agencies to adhere to the Supreme Court’s decision and promptly address the pension concerns of our retired teachers,” Castro said.