Duterte not closing doors on anti-endo bill despite no mention in Sona

President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his final State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 26, 2021, at the Batasang Pambansa. Screenshot from RTVM youtube live

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte’s promise of ending “endo” or contractualization “continues to be a promise” despite not mentioning it in the State of the Nation Address (Sona), Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Duterte administration would continue to work with Congress on an anti-endo bill or security of tenure bill that would be “acceptable” to all stakeholders.

Roque acknowledged that the tenure bill had previously stalled, with President Duterte even vetoing it, due to “objectionable portions.”

“Hindi na-mention ‘yan [anti-endo sa Sona] dahil it continues to be a promise. I think the administration will continue to work with Congress para sa final anti-Endo bill that would be acceptable to all stakeholders,” he said in a press briefing in Zambales.

Roque said the government would work to “reach a compromise” that is “acceptable to stakeholders.”

Duterte pledged to end labor contractualization upon taking office in 2016.

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