Duterte open to all views on Security of Tenure bill

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Tagum City on July 16, 2019. RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte is open to suggestions from all sectors on matters concerning the Security of Tenure (SOT) bill, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this remark after National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the SOT should be “tweaked” to benefit both employers and workers.

“The President is always open to suggestion. He rationalizes,” Panelo said in a Palace press briefing.

Senator Joel Villanueva, who sponsored the SOT bill, earlier asked if the NEDA was setting up the bill for the President to veto, saying the agency only raised concerns at the last minute.

Panelo, however, said he had no word on whether Duterte would sign or veto the measure that aims to prohibit all illegal employment schemes and subcontracting of Filipino workers.

“If he feels that signing the law will create not beneficial effects to the major players, he might consider vetoing it. But if he doesn’t feel that way, he will sign that into law,” he said.

“He’s just open to all. But the buck stops in his table,” he added.

Panelo explained that Duterte was open to all suggestions to find a “win-win” solution for all parties concerned.

“Hahanap ka ng win-win solution. Kung ano iyong opposition ng business sector, puwede namang hanapan ng … compromise iyon eh(We’re looking for a win-win solution. Whatever the business sector is opposing, we can always compromise),” he said.

“So if you will veto the bill, then a member of Congress can introduce another one with the win-win compromise solution. O di ba (isn’t), everybody happy?” he added.

Earlier, a coalition of business groups claimed that the SOT bill goes against the constitutional rights of businesses because it increases the cost of doing business, which may hinder their operations.

The group claimed the bill could even push employers to eliminate low-skilled jobs and instead prefer using technologies, such as automation and artificial intelligence.

The SOT bill, which was transmitted to Duterte’s office early this month, may lapse into law if the Chief Executive fails to sign it.