The welfare of the Filipino workforce remains at the top of President Rodrigo Duterte’s priorities, Malacañang said even as it admitted that the passage of the Security of Tenure Bill is “still up in the air.”
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the remark after Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III claimed that the said bill, which seeks to prohibit all means of illegal employment and subcontracting of Filipino workers, was enrolled last June 21.
According to Bello, the Labor department already anticipates the passage of the SOT Bill, which will become a “landmark legislation” under the Duterte administration.
“Ensuring the workers’ security of tenure is among the priorities of our President and we are hopeful that the President will soon sign the bill into law to enhance the enjoyment of their constitutional rights to job security,” Bello said.
“The Congress-approved measure will strengthen workers’ security of tenure by prohibiting unlawful contracting arrangements, and provide penalties for its violations,” the Labor chief added, hoping that the measure will be signed by Duterte before the latter delivers his 4th State of the Nation Address.
Sought for comment, Panelo said the Palace is still “unsure” whether Bello’s wish will be granted prior to the SONA.
“Yes, that is his [Bello’s] wish. I don’t know whether his wish will be granted prior to the SONA,” he said in a Palace press briefing.
“But whether or not it will be signed before or subsequent to the SONA, the welfare of the people is still there, it’s in the mind of the President,” he added.
According to the Palace official, although the Chief Executive signed the said measure after the SONA, its passage will still benefit the Filipino laborers.
Almost two months ago, the President called on Congress to pass legislative measures for the Filipino workers. Despite his administration’s strong actions to illegal contracting, Duterte bared the “plight” of workers “remains the same.”
The Chief Executive had signed Executive Order 51 to ban the practice of endo (end of contract), which violates the employees’ security of tenure.
Meanwhile, in the Senate, the Senate Bill No. 1826 or the Security of Tenure or End Endo Act of 2018, was approved on third and final reading in May. It was later on adopted by the House of Representatives.
Then, it has been certified as urgent in September 2018 in accordance with the President’s campaign promise to cap off the widespread illegal employment practices in the industry.
The bill, however, might lapse into law if not acted upon within 30 days after it was enrolled in Malacañang.
