Philippine Presidential platform of government which the country watches over once elected

Karen Davila (Moderator) Issue No. 3 permanent job. Every Filipino is hoping for this, the job for their subsistence. But how could it be if the job is good only for a few months and without assurance.  What are other alternatives that a father like Carlos could do? Carlos’ dilemma is very frustrating.  You know, he was able to finish third year college.  His course is Electrical Engineering.  This is the difficulty of majority of the Filipinos but until now he has no permanent job yet. Carlos: To those who are running for president, this year 2016, how would you remove the contractualization in the Philippines? And if you were in my shoes at this time, who has no regular employment, how would you support your family being without a permanent job, if contractualization here in the Philippines cannot be abolished? Karen Davila: Thank you very much.  Carlos is victim of the so-call “END CONTRACT” the “555.” Mayor Duterte?

	MAYOR RODRIGO DUTERTE
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 3 -  PERMANENT JOB
	3	0
Yes, ma'am. The moment I am elected as president, contractualization will stop. (1) They have to stop it. Because......it’s like this, we spend so much money of the government and the people. Children are studying in TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority). Then they apply and they are accepted as electrician, carpenter. The problem is after six months of bonuses and even the 13th month pay. Because as it reaches one year, they have to be paid, including the bonuses and all that. So to do away with it, they terminate them before six months, which has to be stopped to avoid cost. (2) And our laborers, cannot acquire the skills that they learned from TESDA because electrician for example is terminated every now and then, look for a job again and end up in a different work as a carpenter. And even you go abroad, it says three years experience. (3) Our people, the young people cannot ever, ever acquire the experience and the enterprise to really be an electrician because of the absence of focus, working as hauler in one job, boy in another job, bus conductor in different employment or jobless at some point. So that is an injustice committed against the people of the Republic of the Philippines. I will not allow that as President of this country.

	SENATOR GRACE POE
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 3 -  PERMANENT JOB
	3	1
You know, I understand your problem.  I will not tolerate that. “End Coontract” is injustice.  You know why?  Because you cannot plan your future if you’re aware that you’re no longer employed on the next day.  That’s why I understand that. (1) Second, humans are not machines.  They are not employed not to be junked when no longer needed.  We need to implement the law, so contractualization is outlawed. (2) But this is what I can say.  There is someone who’s working in a factory who says, “Ma’am, why is it like that?  The canned goods that we process have 5-year expiration, whereas our jobs only last for five months.  Are these canned goods useful than humans? (3) This is not fair for our country.  And as a mother who’s preparing the budget for the family, It’s hard to think that after five months my husband would lose his job. That’s why I’m your friend.  I will not allow “end contract” because employees need to be productive and – they can only be productive if they know that the company empathizes and the government protects them.  (1) 1). Mayor Duterte says he will remove contractulization the moment he is elected.  So it would also be better if she presented at least an estimated time table for its effectivity.
COMMENTARY:
Personally, I experienced to work as a contractual when I was new here in Manila.  It’s very tough because at that time I needed to finish my studies but I could not because aside from the low minimum wage which can’t be sufficient if education is included in the budget, the job can’t be depended on because this lasts only for five months.

	SECRETARY MAR ROXAS
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 3 -  PERMANENT JOB
	4	2
The question is how do we stop “end contract”?  You can count on me, within three months as a president, “end contract” will end. (1) Why?  The law is essential.  The loophole is in the law.  Our DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) has a memorandum circular which regulates.  But this cannot be implemented because it is deficient, it has a loophole. (1) It needs a law.  That’s why we will pass a bill in the Congress.  We will close these loopholes so these laws can be prolific.  (2) More importantly, “end contract” can be instantly stopped.  We can deregulate it.  We will just make a law on this.  More significantly is how could we create more jobs, quality and permanent jobs in our country?  Jobs in manufacturing sectors, call centers, factories.  We will reduce electricity cost because of the advent of bigger supply, more factories will come in. (2) We will increase incentives – of the ecozones for them to amplify, more factories will position here.  (3) Likewise, we will augment infrastructures here in these transport modes for quicker in and out of factory products here.  (4) These are the jobs that can be created by Mar Roxas administration.
COMMENTARY:
1). I’ve been working here in Metro Manila for more than 20 years and since the start, this has been like this.  If this is illegal, then why is it that the government could not do something about it? Does the government protects more the money of the investors than the sweat of the labor force?  2). Again the idea will be very beneficial to the labor sector.  However, it’s not mentioned in his plan of passing a bill to the Congress the importance of fair opportunity for everybody without discrimating by setting up age requirement in accepting applicants.  That everyone whether he is 35 or beyond can be accepted as long as he is psychologically and physically capacitated.

	VICE PRESIDENT JEJOMAR BINAY
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 3 -  PERMANENT JOB
	3	2
You know my friend I became a labor lawyer before I ended up in the government.  Your problem is not just clear to me because there is this so-called “job only.” Job only is illegal since the very start. (1) Now, if you’re an engineer based on what I heard, if you were employed as an engineer and that job is included in the corporation that hired you, then that’s illegal. (1) You’re not supposed to be terminated after five months. Because you’re already regular upon employment.  You should have sued them.  (2) As I’ve said, I have no idea on the nature of your three employments. Nevertheless, “end contract” is illegal. Unfortunately, this has not been implemented. (2) This is “end contract”, job-only.  There are two types, son - there is this job only which passes through independent contractor. I don’t know if you went through independent contractor. Independent Contractor acquires example, waiter and other jobs.  The employee-employer relationship is contained here in this independent contractor. But in all circumstances, workers should be protected to receive all the blessings that are stipulated in our law. (3)
COMMENTARY:
1). If contractualization is illegal, then why it has been existent for very long years?  What are the reasons behind that it has been overlooked?  Evidently, the lawmakers in this instance have been protecting the investors and see no importance the long-term employment of the masses.   I’ve been working here in Metro Manila for more than 20 years and since the start, this has been like this.  Of course, the employer should also receive equal protection but what is evident in this case is the inequitable treatment that the government shown toward the employee-employer partnership.

	SENATOR MIRIAM DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 3 -  PERMANENT JOB
	3	1
The line of asking is: “How can you provide me a job, and the others like me?” The mode of response is like this, first, we are creator of several infrastructures. roads, bridges, seaports, airports, urban transit systems. If we’ll unlock these projects, million jobs will be opened.  (1) Second, the government will help the factory owners to progress and open vacancies for the applicants. (1) Third, in agriculture, I've already said this before, but I repeat, government must pay attention to, number one, infrastructure, farm-to-market roads, irrigation, water impounding facilities, post-harvest facilities, (2) and so on. If you’ll create job, one has to work on it – people will approach you.  Unlike today, there are millions of graduates. They have no one to turn to because the government does not open opportunities. (3) That’s why this is what we should do to absorb these million graduates.
COMMENTARY:
1). Of the five candidates who’s pushing for job opportunities in the future, it’s only Sen. Grace Poe who mentions about giving the importance of giving jobs to the old people, which I heard in her advertisement campaign on the radio.  The unlocking of million jobs brought by different projects that will be opened is mentioned here, but it neither talked about whether the older people can be accommodated here so I treat this promise as unrealistic because of overlooking the significance of providing opportunity not for the young ones but also for the older labor force, given the culture of employment here in the Philippines that people between the age of 35 up could be diffiluctly hired.

Karen Davila (Moderator) Thirty seconds for our second round. Mayor Duterte you said, “you will stop it.”

	MAYOR RODRIGO DUTERTE
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 3 -  PERMANENT JOB
	2	0
Yes. I said, “immediately.” What I will do is I will call the House Speaker and the Senate President after their elections and everybody, there’s already a constitution there, internal. Then I will call all, mostly, the majority, Liberal Congressman, you pass this bill immediately. (1) I’ll tell the Senate, “I need it first week of my administration.” As simple as that. Do it. (2) That's the president ordering everybody.

	SENATOR GRACE POE
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 3 -  PERMANENT JOB
	1	1
You know we will give incentive to the investors.  Because they’re afraid of shrinking revenue in the absence of “end contract.”  This is what I can say: the bill that removes contractualization should already be filed.  I will ensure the reduction of corporate income tax so you can gain at least. (1) It is important to provide a support for the investors here in our country.  But our most deprived countrymen will be our priority.  So it’s a win-win solution.  Take care of them….We will not squeeze you in anymore. (1) 1). Saying that the employee will not squeezed in anymore that the government does really protect more the investors than providing fair protection.

Karen Davila (Moderator) But are you capable of going up against these major department stores, huge malls?  Thirty seconds Secretary Roxas.

	SECRETARY MAR ROXAS
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 3 -  PERMANENT JOB
	1	0
You know, Karen, in the past I fought huge interest. Pharmaceutical industry......cheaper medicine law, banking industry at insurance industry, our pre-need law. So in my experience, I wrestled with gigantic interest if it is for the benefit of the ordinary Filipinos.  I have no problem about this.

	VICE PRESIDENT JEJOMAR BINAY
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 3 -  PERMANENT JOB
	1	0
You know buddy, while you’re jobless, can your savings be depended on?  Because I will not just reduce it but completely remove income tax. In other words - your salary is ten thousand.  (Increases).  Somehow, you’re not paying income tax anymore.  That will catch you while looking for a new job.
COMMENTARY:
Athough this will automatically reduce millions of BIR revenue which is basically one of the sources of government’s financial provisions for its infrustrutures and other needs, I’m taking this as realistic because if the government could survive even with the existence of multi-million corruption perpetrated by different government officials, then it can also be possible for them for a balance budget management.

Karen Davila (Moderator): Senator Miriam Santiago first......then, Secretary Mar.

	SENATOR MIRIAM DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 3 -  PERMANENT JOB
	1	1
Sen. Miriam Santiago: Thank you. Will you repeat the question, please? Karen Davila (Moderator): It's the next 30 seconds, ma'am. You can react, or you can challenge any of your opponents right now. Sen. Miriam Santiago: Alright. I will not react or challenge any of my opponents, but to put on record what I forgot to say earlier that I am vehemently against contractualization. Not only is it illegal, but possibly unconstitutional. It waylays the security of tenure of an employee and places him under the power of an employer who needs only to threaten to replace him with a union member. (1)   I am also in favor of lowering......both the income and the corporate taxes. (1)
COMMENTARY:
1). As I’ve said earlier, I’ve been working here in Manila for more than 20 years but this contractualization which Sen. Santiago claims as unconstitutional and illegal has been  there ever since.  It’s ironic that she’s vehement about contractualization but her reaction never mentioned that she fought for it, which means that she did not do something about this.

	SECRETARY MAR ROXAS
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 3 -  PERMANENT JOB
	3	0
You know, Karen, I can’t take it that we’re talking about tax reduction.  Carlo is non-taxable because he’s minimum wage earner. And he has no tax to be paid…because of the law that I enacted when the people sent me to the Senate. (1) Up to Php100,000.00 of exemption is tax-free, the first Php100,000.00 of income is tax-free because of that implemented law. (2) What my rivals are planning, were already accomplished. (3)

Karen Davila (Moerator)  Anyone who would like to react?

	VICE PRESIDENT JEJOMAR BINAY
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 3 -  PERMANENT JOB
	0	0
This does not mean that the salary which the employee could receive is only up to P100,000.00.  There are employees who earn over Php100,000.00.  What we’re talking about is upon employment.  Because the compensation is dependent on the type of job provided.
COMMENTARY:
1). This is out of the context in reference to Sec. Mar Roxas’ objection that Carlo’s income is non-taxable as it falls under minimum wage. So it appears that he’s providing a solution to Carlo’s problem which has already been in the tax system, so his point is unrealistic.