Marcos appoints finance executive Emmanuel Samson to Social Security Commission

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed finance executive Emmanuel De Leon Samson as a member of the Social Security Commission (SSC), the policy-making body of the state-run Social Security System (SSS), replacing Victor Alfonso A. Limlingan Jr., who was appointed the pension agency’s president and chief executive officer.

Samson will represent the employers’ group in the commission, which sets policies governing the SSS and oversees the management of its funds and investments.

The appointment was announced in a media release issued by SSS, which cited Samson’s more than 40 years of experience in banking, finance, corporate governance and risk management.

Department of Finance Secretary and SSC Chairperson Frederick D. Go administered Samson’s oath of office on Nov. 6, 2026, at the Department of Finance Central Office along Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

Samson’s appointment comes as the commission continues its oversight of the SSS, which administers social security benefits for private-sector workers and other covered members.

Background in finance and public-sector governance

Before joining the SSC, Samson served as a member of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Board of Trustees from November 2023 to October 2025.

He chaired the state pension agency’s Risk Oversight Committee and Provident Fund during his tenure.

He also served on the board of directors of the National Reinsurance Corporation from April to October 2025.

In January 2026, Samson was designated special envoy of the Philippine president to Thailand.

His private-sector experience includes serving as lead independent director of CTS Global Equity Group, a publicly listed proprietary trading firm, and chief financial officer of Nickel Asia Corporation.

At Nickel Asia, he was responsible for the company’s financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, treasury and risk management.

Earlier in his career, Samson held positions at Credit Agricole Indosuez Manila Offshore Branch, Indosuez W.I. Carr Securities (Phils.), Inc., Amon Securities Corporation and Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation.

His professional experience also covers equity brokerage, financial planning, asset management, client relationship management and project management.

Samson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Economics, History and Political Science, from De La Salle University in Manila in December 1981.

As an employers’ group representative, he joins the SSC in a policy-making capacity involving the administration and long-term financial sustainability of the country’s social security system.

The commission is responsible for setting policies for the SSS, whose contributions fund benefits for members, pensioners and their beneficiaries.