Panelo corrects self, says bill to end 'endo'—a key Duterte campaign vow—not yet vetoed

MANILA, Philippines (Update 1 12:21 a.m., July 26) — After saying that President Rodrigo Duterte already vetoed the Security of Tenure bill, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo corrected himself and clarified that the chief executive is still studying the measure's pros and cons.

"PRRD still studying the pros and cons. Sorry about the error. We will know tomorrow for sure," Panelo said late Thursday minutes after telling reporters that Duterte, who certified the bill as urgent, already vetoed it.

The measure also known as "End Endo" bill seeks to curb ambiguities that allowed employers to skirt laws on labor-only contracting. 

READ: Outspoken Duterte silent on 2 key policies in his 4th SONA

The bill will lapse into law on July 27 if the president does not act on it.

READ: Palace: Duterte may veto Security of Tenure bill if...

Ending labor-only contracting, locally known as "endo," is one of the campaign promises of Duterte, who won by landslide in 2016.

Business groups have urged the president to veto the bill, which they said would intrude into management prerogatives and result in the removal of low skilled jobs.

READ: Security of Tenure bill not quite end of 'endo', labor groups say

— with Alexis Romero/The STAR