As previous presidents of the Philippines are still expected to carry out obligations notwithstanding the end of their term, Senator Bong Go introduced a measure in the Senate that would offer them additional benefits and privileges.
Go explained that former presidents are expected to perform post-presidential duties such as meeting with foreign and local dignitaries, attending public events or other social engagements, and even entertaining those seeking their assistance or advice.
“Alam n’yo po, ang isang presidente po kapag nagtapos ang kanyang termino, ay considered na wala na siyang trabaho. Pero (sa totoo lang), kahit tapos na ang kanilang termino, hindi po nagtatapos ang kanilang trabaho at pagseserbisyo,” said Go during a television interview on Tuesday, 7 February.
“Once you are a president, you will always be a president. Ibig sabihin, yung puso mo, nasa pagseserbisyo pa rin,” he also stressed in another interview that day.
For this reason, these duties often require them to employ the services of personal staff and maintain their own offices.
Go, together with senators Mark Villar, Francis Tolentino, and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa filed Senate Bill No. 1784, or the proposed “Former Presidents Benefits Act of 2023” on 26 January.
If the bill is passed into law, all former presidents shall be entitled to additional benefits and privileges, such as personal security and protection, adequate staff provided by the Office of the President, and suitable office space, among others.
By tradition, assigning Presidential Security Group members to guard former presidents depends on the incumbent President. Whereas, the proposed bill shall institutionalize this practice and give the former presidents the right to choose the head of their own security team.
Apart from the said benefits, the proposed bill also seeks to provide the former presidents’ immediate family security protection in order to thwart any attempt to harm them even after leaving public office.
Underscoring their significant contributions and continuing vital role in society even after their respective terms, Go said it is only fitting to provide former presidents with additional benefits for the remainder of their lives as a way to recognize their service to the country.
Meanwhile, Go emphasized that the increased benefits will not have a significant impact on the nation’s budget since it is only seeking to grant a small office for former presidents while institutionalizing a current practice already being done by the PSG.
“Alam n’yo po, napakaliit na bagay lang po nito na pwede nating ibigay sa ating mga pangulo na nagsakripisyo po at nagtrabaho po para sa ating bayan,” he said.
“Wala naman tayong hinihinging dagdag na pension o suweldo or allowance para sa mga dating pangulo. Kaunting suporta lang naman, katulad ng limang staff at security lang,” Go also added.
When asked about a proposal that would make former presidents automatically become presidential advisers to the present government, Go said that it must still depend on the decision of the current president in office.
Go also cited that in other select countries, free travel and medical services, and a higher amount of lifelong pension, among others, are provided to former presidents. In the United States for example, past presidents who have not been removed from office are entitled to some staff, medical treatment, health insurance, a pension, office expenditures, and protection provided by the Secret Service.
“Pero ang importante po dito, alam n’yo sa ibang bansa po, marami sa United States, sa Indonesia, ang former president po meron silang lifetime benefits sa kanilang former presidents. Sa Indonesia, sa France, sa South Korea, sa Brazil, sa Sri Lanka, at India. So ang akin lang naman po dito, sana po ay maisabatas po ito. Ano ba naman ‘yung kaunting mga pribilehiyo sa mga dating lider natin na nagsakripisyo po para sa kinabukasan ng ating mga anak,” he said.
Meanwhile, Go expressed optimism that the proposed legislation will be supported by fellow lawmakers.
Go also underscored that the current law providing lifelong pensions to former presidents needs to be updated.
“Ang kasalukuyang batas na nagbibigay ng benefits po sa isang dating pangulo ng bansa ay Republic Act No. 5059. June 17, 1967 pa ito naisabatas… currently po na-adjust po ito sa executive order po ni former president Corazon Aquino. Meron silang natatanggap na PhP8,000 monthly lifelong pension lamang,” noted the senator.
“Tatlong former presidents na lang po ang natitira sa ngayon. Sila dating pangulong (Joseph) Estrada, (Gloria) Arroyo at (Rodrigo) Duterte at kung saka-sakali pong maisabatas po ito, makakabenepisyo din po kapag tapos na ang termino ng kasalukuyang Pangulong Bongbong Marcos,” he added.