MANILA, Philippines- Apat na senador ang naghain ng isang panukalang batas na magbibigay ng karagdagang benepisyo sa dating presidente ng bansa dahil inaasahang gagampanan nila ang kanilang “post-presidential duties.”
Magkakasama sina Senador Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Mark Villar, Ronaldo “Bato” dela Rosa, at Francis Tolentino sa paghahain ng Senate Bill 1784, o ang panukalang Former Presidents Benefits Act of 2023, nitong Enero.
“Despite the end of their term, they are also expected to perform post-presidential duties such as meeting with foreign and local dignitaries, and attending public events and other social engagements,” ayon sa explanatory note ng panukala.
“These duties often require them to employ the services of personal staff and maintain private offices,” dagdag nito.
Sakaling maisabatas, maaaring pumili ang dating chief executive ng sarili nitong security detail at bibigyan din ng katulad na seguridad ang pamilya ng dating presidente hanggang nabubuhay ito. Sa ngayon, binabantayan ang seguridad ng dating presidente ng tauhan ng Presidential Security Group members.
“Ex-presidents can also select “adequate staff” provided by the Office of the President, as well as a “suitable office space appropriately furnished and equipped” anywhere within the country,” giit ng panukala.
“The benefits will be for the remainder of the lives of the former presidents,” dagdag ng panukala.
Inatasan ng panukala ang Department of Budget and Management (DBM) na isama sa taunang General Appropriations Act ang pondong gagamitin dito.
Sa ngayon, ang nabubuhay na dating pangulong ay sina Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, at Rodrigo Duterte. Ernie Reyes
