‘Ending the evils of endo is within reach’ — Villanueva

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Joel Villanueva on Wednesday said the growing support of Cabinet members to the Security of Tenure bill shows the government’s will to end illegal labor contractualization in the country.

The bill, which awaits President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature, has been received positively by several Cabinet members, including Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, who recently supported the bill.

“The latest vote of confidence on the Security of Tenure bill boosts our hopes that ending the evils of “endo” (end of contract) is within our reach. Malapit na po natin maabot ang pangarap na wakasan na ang endo sa lipunan,” Villanueva, who authored and sponsored the bill, said in a statement.

Villanueva said the support of the Cabinet members serves as an “encouraging sign.”

“The support from no less than three Cabinet members is a very encouraging sign, considering that two of them are part of the economic cluster. We take it to mean that the bill, when signed into law, bodes well for our economy,” Villanueva said.

The senator also expressed hopes that Duterte would sign the bill.

“With a stroke of his pen, the President can fulfill one of his hallmark campaign promise of getting rid of this terrible practice of “endo”,” Villanueva said.

“We hope and pray that the President relegates ‘endo’ to the annals of history by signing the Security of Tenure bill into law,” he added.

Bello earlier said the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) informed him that the Security of Tenure bill had been enrolled and sent to the Palace.

The labor secretary explained that the law would “strengthen workers’ security of tenure by prohibiting unlawful contracting arrangements, and provide penalties for its violations.” /ee