PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte might veto the proposed Security of Tenure Act if he finds the measure is not fair to both labor and business sectors, Malacañang said on Thursday, July 25.
"The President is always open to suggestion. He rationalizes. If he feels that signing the law will create not beneficial effects to the major players, he might consider vetoing it," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo told a press conference.
Panelo's statement came a day after Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said that the security of tenure bill needs to be "tweaked" to ensure the protection of interests of both employers and workers.
The security of tenure bill is set to lapse into law by Friday, July 27, if left unsigned.
Panelo said the President may sign the proposed measure if its provisions create a balance between workers and employers.
"If the President feels that the observations of Sec. Pernia is a good reason to vetoing the bill, he will," the Palace official said.
"But if he does not feel that way, he will sign that into law. Ganun naman si Presidente eh (That's how the President works)," he added.
Panelo said the President would look for a "win-win" solution.
Panelo said Congress may refile a similar bill, should Duterte feel the need to veto the measure.
"Hahanap ka ng win-win solution. Kung ano 'yung opposition ng business sector, pwede naman hanapan ng compromise 'yun eh. So if he will veto the bill, then a member of Congress can introduce another one with a win win compromise solution. Oh di ba. Everybody happy," he said.
(You'll look for a win-win solution. We can look for a compromise to address the business sector's opposition. So if he will veto the bill, then a member of Congress can introduce another one with a win win compromise solution. Everybody happy.)
"Members of Congress can always introduce amendments or pass another bill for the signature of the President. So depende (It depends). It’s the President’s call kung yung suggestion ni Sec. Pernia he will heed (It's the President's call if he will heed Sec. Pernia's suggestion," Panelo added.
Several business groups have opposed the passage of the security of tenure bill and instead called for the modernization of labor regulations to suit the needs of the labor sector.
Asked if there is a chance that Duterte might sign the bill, Panelo said: "Hindi pa natin alam kung (We do not know yet)... He’s just open to all. But the buck stops in his table." (SunStar Philippines)