The Government Service Insurance System has filed a libel case against GSIS members under the banner of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and several media outfits.

According to a GMANews.tv report, the GSIS is mad over ACT’s criticisms of GSIS head Winston Garcia.

Also included in the libel suit were journalists from the Philippine Star, BusinessMirror and The Manila Times where ACT’s criticisms saw print.

In a statement, ACT chair Tonchi Tinio said:

In behalf of the members and constituency of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, I have, as its chairperson, 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. Since 2003, these and other policies and related practices have burdened members with unwarranted deductions, onerous interest charges and other penalties. ACT has also criticized GSIS for its lack of transparency regarding the placement of GSIS funds in certain local and foreign investments.

Unfortunately, instead of addressing the grievances of its members, Garcia and GSIS choose to file libel suits.

ACT is composed mainly of public school teachers, all members of the GSIS.