EO ending ‘endo’ fulfills Duterte campaign promise – Roque

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in a press briefing in Malacañang. INQUIRER PHOTO / JOAN BONDOC

Promise fullfilled?

The executive order (EO) issued on contractualization fulfills the campaign promise of President Rodrigo Duterte to stop illegal labor contracting in the Philippines, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

“As far as the the President is concerned, itong EO na ito ‘yung katuparan ng pangako dahil ito talaga pinapatigil at pinapatawan ng parusa ang nag-eendo o nag-555,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview over Radyo Inquirer 990 AM.

During a Labor Day speech in Cebu City on Tuesday, the President signed EO no. 51 that prohibits illegal labor contracting in the country.

READ: Duterte signs executive order on endo

While the EO still allows some forms of contractualization, Duterte said he would certify the security of tenure bill as urgent as he urged Congress to pass the measure.

Labor groups slammed the EO, saying it only reiterated what was stated in the Labor Code.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate insisted on a policy that would prohibit all forms of labor contracting.

Roque explained why Duterte could not totally ban labor contracting.

“Kung ang ninanais ng mga manggagawa ay lahat ng kontraktwalisasyon ay ipagbawal, kinakailangan talaga ng batas diyan. Hindi kakayanin ng ehekutibo ‘yan dahil walang ganyang kapangyarihan ang ating Presidente sa ating Saligang Batas,” he said.

The Palace official said labor groups should stop complaining, adding that they should first read the EO.

“Tingnan n’yo dahil talagang ipinagbabawal ‘yung kontraktwalisasyon na labag sa security of tenure,” he said. /cbb