EXCLUSIVE: Bizman blames ex-employee for legal woes

By: Francis Allan Angelo

Ilonggo businessman Ian Pama blamed a former employee for the legal woes they are facing. But Pama said they expect the case for alleged violation of Republic Act 1161 (Social Security Law) will be settled soon. In a phone interview, Pama told Daily Guardian said a former employee in charge of their Social Security contributions made them believe that they were following the law. “We were made to believe that the SSS contributions were updated but it was not so. That employee even made reports to make it appear that everything was okay.

We only knew of the problem when SSS called out our attention through notices and filed the case,” he added. Pama said they eventually settled their arrears with SSS way back in February 2019 and the latter even filed a motion to withdraw the case being heard at the Iloilo Regional Trial Court Branch 37. But the public prosecutor was unable to sign on the withdrawal motion thus the case lingered until the RTC issued an arrest warrant against five members of the Pama clan on June 20, 2019. When the warrant was served on July 3, the Pamas presented an order from RTC Branch 68 in Dumangas, Iloilo indicating that they have posted the recommended bail totaling P320,000 (P72,000 per respondent). Assisting Judge Domingo Casiple Jr. signed the order. Pama said they hope to conclude the matter once SSS completes the withdrawal of the case.