MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has vetoed the bill which will grant benefits to surviving children of deceased retired officials of constitutional offices, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said yesterday.

Sotto said he received a letter from Duterte on Friday indicating that the Chief Executive vetoed the measure, which seeks to amend Republic Act 10084 to extend benefits to children of an official who is a solo parent, or the surviving parents, or up to two nominated persons of the deceased retiree who died without issue.

The current RA 10084 only offers benefits to surviving legitimate spouse of deceased retired officials of the Commission on Audit (COA), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Ombudsman.

Sotto told radio dwIZ the President said in his letter the bill would create confusion on the salaries and pension programs of the government.

Last January, the Senate approved on third and final reading the proposed bill granting survivorship benefits to dependent children or surviving parents of deceased retired officials of constitutional offices.

Sen. Loren Legarda, principal author of Senate Bill No. 1917, said: “Recognizing the emerging nuances in the set-up of modern-day Filipino families, and heeding the call for fairness and equality to the members of these constitutionally-created offices who are unmarried or are solo parents, such measure is needed to ensure that qualified beneficiaries are rightfully provided with benefits and entitlements as allowed by law. Ultimately, this will contribute in our effort to recognize the commitment and sacrifices rendered by these officials in their service of our country and of the Filipino people.”