A coalition of women and labor groups on Thursday sounded the alarm over what they said was the possibility that President Duterte might veto the Expanded Maternity Leave measure, which has been awaiting his signature since Jan. 21. Women Workers for the Expanded Maternity Leave Law (Workers4EML) said it had come to their attention that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) sent a position paper to the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office opposing the bill due to cost considerations. “For us, that brings the real threat of a veto,” said Coronacion, who noted that the measure would lapse into law by Feb. 21 if Duterte did not sign or veto it before then. Under the current law, women are allowed 60 days of paid maternity leave, the shortest in Southeast Asia and which falls well below the 98 days stipulated in Convention No. ADVERTISEMENTShould the President veto the bill, Congress could override it, but only through a two-thirds majority.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer February 14, 2019 21:22 UTC