Press Release
May 18, 2006

COURTS AND DOJ URGED TO BE FAIR WITH COMPLAINING
PRE-PAID PLAN HOLDERS

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today decried that leaders of aggrieved plan holders of the pre-need firms have to face the ordeal of criminal prosecution after incurring the ire of the company owners while they are fighting for their rights.

Pimentel emphasized that fairness and justice must prevail as court officials and government prosecutors examine and render judgment on the libel case filed by the PPI management against the 16 officers of the Parents Enabling Parents (PEP) Coalition.

I caution the courts and the Department of Justice to scrutinize carefully the facts before jailing the parents who complain against the misuse of their pre-need educational insurance plans. They have every right to seek justice, he said.

He said he sympathizes with the leaders of the PEP Coalition who had to scrounge for funds to pay the P30,000 bail each which he said is like rubbing salt to the wounds after the pre-need company reneged on its obligation to pay the tuition fees of their children due to alleged financial difficulties.

Pimentel reminded pre-need companies that they should refrain from acts that are tantamount to harassment of the complaining pre-need plan holders to evade settlement of their legal obligations.

He also expressed the hope that the companies and the complaining educational plan holders will muster the patience and perseverance to strike an acceptable compromise to the problem.

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