Drilon says new ‘endo’ bill faces veto sans President’s support

MANILA – Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon reiterated Friday that reviving the Security of Tenure Bill or “endo” bill may be a futile exercise without the President’s support.

“We should secure Malacanang’s commitment that a new version of endo bill will not be vetoed. It will be a futile exercise to revive it without that commitment. The DOLE and NEDA should agree on one version,” Drilon said.

Drilon was referring to the two frontline departments – the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) – with opposing views.

The bill passed by Congress, which the President eventually vetoed, essentially carries the labor department’s position that differs from NEDA, the senator noted.

Drilon said that there is a bipartisan support for the measure in the Senate, hence its speedy enactment is possible.

“There is a bipartisan support for the anti-endo bill, so its passage is almost a guarantee insofar as the Senate is concerned. However, the question is: will it be signed into law or will it suffer the same fate?” Drilon said.

The bill is not included in the initial list of priority measures for 18thCongress that was sent to Congress during the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council last Monday, he noted.

“I am less optimistic that an endo bill is possible without Congress getting Malacanang’s full support. Let’s face it, it is the President who holds the veto pen. Therefore, it is critical that for measures as important as the endo bill that we must secure the full support of Malacanang,” he added.

Drilon said that before the Senate tackles the measure and spends resources and time to revive the measure, it is more practical for Congress leaders to get cabinet secretaries opposing the measure that assurance that they will not stand in the way of the bill’s passage.