PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has vetoed a measure granting survivorship benefits to dependents of deceased retired officials of constitutional office.

In an April 12 letter sent to the Senate and the House of Representatives, the President announced his decision to veto an enrolled bill that would extend benefits to dependent children of deceased solo parents, and surviving parents or nominated persons of deceased retiree from constitutional offices.

The proposed measure seeks amendments to Republic Act 10084, which merely grants benefits to surviving legitimate spouses of deceased retired officials of the Commission on Audit, Civil Service Commission, Commission on Elections, and the Ombudsman.

Duterte, in his veto message, explained that the bill may be "too onerous to the government."

"I am apprehensive that the provisions granting benefits beyond the current compensation framework for other government offices may prove to be too onerous to the government," the Chief Executive told Congress.

The President explained that the new benefits would "erode" the National Government's thrust to standardize and rationalize the current compensation framework in the bureaucracy.

He added that the proposal would create "too much disparity and inequality" in compensation among public servants.

"Additional benefits proposed in the enrolled bill are extraordinary benefits that are not granted to any government official under the current government compensation framework," he said.

"In view of these considerations, I am constrained to veto the above-mentioned enrolled bill," Duterte added.

Palace released a copy of the veto letter on Monday, April 15. (SunStar Philippines)