MANILA – The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has assured its members and pensioners that all programs and transactions continue to operate normally despite the preventive suspension of several officials by the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a statement, the GSIS Board of Trustees confirmed that immediate measures have been taken to ensure business continuity and uninterrupted services.

“All programs, member transactions, and benefits delivery remain fully operational and unaffected,” the GSIS stated.

To maintain leadership continuity, the Board appointed Executive Vice President for Support Services Juliet Bautista as the officer-in-charge of GSIS during a special board meeting.

Bautista, a certified public accountant with over 20 years of experience in auditing, accounting, and financial systems, will temporarily take on the duties of president and general manager. She previously led the Internal Audit Services Office and played a crucial role in securing GSIS’s ISO 9001 (service quality) and ISO 27001 (data protection) certifications.

The Board stressed that the institution’s integrity and the security of members’ funds remain top priorities.

“Protecting the institution’s integrity and members’ funds is our utmost priority. We remain committed to governance reforms and strengthening internal controls to further improve system resilience and transparency,” GSIS said.

Bautista holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Ateneo de Manila University and a degree in Accountancy from the University of Santo Tomas.

Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)

The **Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)** is a Philippine government-owned corporation established in 1936 to provide insurance, pension, and other benefits to public sector employees. It was created under Commonwealth Act No. 186 to ensure financial security for government workers, replacing the former *Retirement and Insurance Act of 1907*. Today, GSIS remains a key social insurance institution, offering loans, life insurance, and retirement plans to civil servants.

Office of the Ombudsman

The Office of the Ombudsman is an independent institution tasked with investigating complaints against government agencies, ensuring accountability and fairness in public administration. Originating in Sweden in 1809, the concept has been adopted worldwide, with many countries establishing their own ombudsman offices to protect citizens’ rights and promote transparency. The office typically handles grievances related to maladministration, human rights violations, or bureaucratic inefficiencies, serving as a bridge between the public and government entities.

Ateneo de Manila University

The Ateneo de Manila University is a prestigious private Jesuit research university in the Philippines, founded in 1859 by the Society of Jesus. Originally established in Manila as the Escuela Municipal de Manila, it later moved to its current campus in Quezon City and has played a significant role in Philippine education, politics, and culture. Known for its rigorous academics and prominent alumni, including national hero José Rizal, the Ateneo remains a leading institution in the country.

University of Santo Tomas

The University of Santo Tomas (UST), founded in 1611 in Manila, Philippines, is Asia’s oldest existing university and one of the world’s largest Catholic universities. Established by the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), it was originally a seminary before expanding into a full university. Known for its historic Main Building and iconic Arch of the Centuries, UST has played a key role in Philippine education and history, including surviving World War II.