Marcos appoints Victor Limlingan as new SSS chief

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday appointed finance and investment executive Victor Alfonso A. Limlingan as president and chief executive officer of the Social Security System (SSS), putting a former member of the pension fund’s governing commission at the helm of the agency.

Limlingan succeeds Robert Joseph Montes de Claro, who was appointed secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the SSS said in a news release.

In his new role, Limlingan will prioritize expanding and improving member loan programs, enhancing the risk-adjusted returns of the pension fund’s investment portfolio, and relaunching the Pension Booster Program.

The priorities come as the SSS manages contributions and benefits for millions of members and pensioners, making the sustainability of its funds, investment performance and delivery of member services central to its operations.

Finance and investment background

Limlingan previously served as a member of the Social Security Commission (SSC), the SSS policy-making body, representing the employers’ sector.

He was appointed on Nov. 19, 2024, and took his oath of office on Nov. 25, 2024, the agency said.

During his commission tenure, he chaired the SSC’s Risk Management and Actuary Committee and served on its Investment, Contribution and Collection, and Corporate Governance committees.

The commission sets policy direction for the SSS, oversees management actions and exercises quasi-judicial functions involving social security coverage, benefits, contributions and penalties under Republic Act No. 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018.

Limlingan is managing director of Regina Capital Development Corp.

He also previously served on the board of the state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines, where he chaired the Risk Oversight Committee.

He earlier worked as senior vice president of Small Business Corp., contributing to financial recovery initiatives for small enterprises and efforts to optimize treasury investments.

His public-sector experience also includes consultancy work for the National Economic and Development Authority and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, now known as the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.

Academic and professional credentials

Limlingan holds a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, majoring in history and humanities, from Ateneo de Manila University.

His appointment brings a finance and risk-management specialist with previous experience in SSS policy-making into the agency’s top executive position.

The planned expansion of loan programs, investment portfolio improvements and relaunch of the Pension Booster Program are among the priorities outlined in the SSS announcement.