THE Nagkaisa Labor Coalition yesterday slammed a move seeking to give more benefits to the country’s former presidents, saying lawmakers would be more helpful if they made a similar proposal for the welfare of workers.
The group said former presidents do not need additional benefits while regular workers need more assistance, said Nagkaisa chairman Sonny Matula.
Senate Bill No. 1784 ( An Act Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Former Presidents of the Philippines) filed by Senators Christopher Go, Mark Villar, Francis Tolentino, and Ronald dela Rosa said former chief executives “perform post-presidential duties such as meeting with foreign and local dignitaries, and attending public events and other social engagements.”
These duties, the bill said, require the former presidents to tap the services of personal staff and to maintain private offices.
The additional benefits and privileges proposed under SB 1784 “will allow them to perform the duties and functions often required of a former President.”
Go, in a statement, said the benefits include personal security, office space, as well as “adequate staff provided by the Office of the President.”
The bill also provides them and their immediate family security protection “in order to thwart any attempt to harm them even after leaving public office,” the bill said.
Matula, in a statement, said, “We express disappointment regarding the priorities of Senators Bong Go, Mark Villar, Francis Tolentino, and Bato dela Rosa, who have filed a bill proposing additional benefits for former Philippine presidents.”
“It is worth mentioning that many former presidents in the past have not utilized public funds after their terms,” he added.
Instead of aiding former presidents, Matula said, “We believe that the focus of legislation should be on improving the lives of the ordinary Filipinos, and not the few who were once at the helm of power.”
The living former Philippine presidents are Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and Rodrigo Duterte.
In contrast, the labor force is composed of some 51.88 million workers as of November 2022.
