Proposal seeking 2-year probation period ‘dead on arrival’ in Senate – Drilon

MANILA, Philippines — Consider the proposal seeking a two-year probationary period “dead on arrival” in the Senate.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said this as he expressed opposition to House Bill 4802, filed by Probinsyano Ako parti-list member Rep. Jose Singson Jr., which seeks to extend probationary employment from six months to two years.

“I will oppose its passage. If the House passes it, consider it DOA (dead on arrival) in the Senate. Hindi ito makatarungan. Hindi makatwiran,” Drilon said in a message to reporters.

(I will oppose its passage. If the House passes it, consider it DOA (dead on arrival) in the Senate. This is not fair. It is unreasonable).

For his part, Senate labor committee chair Senator Joel Villanueva said “it is up to the employer to set performance indicators to determine if the applicant is the fit for the job.”

“Applicants go through a battery of tests and a series of interviews to determine their fitness to the job. The six-month probationary period is the window of opportunity for employers to vet if the skills of the applicant meets their requirement,” he said in a statement.

“It is likewise the responsibility of the employers to check the progress of their employees to make sure they meet their companies’ standards,” he added.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has earlier rejected the said proposal saying that six months probation period is enough for an employer to determine an employee’s qualifications.

“Delaying a worker’s assurance of permanent employment is no longer in keeping with the administration’s policy on security of tenure,” Bello said in a statement over the weekend.

READ: Palace backs Dole against 2-year probation period