Jinggoy readies for jail, delegates tasks to colleagues

MANILA, Philippines - Facing possible arrest, beleaguered Sen. Jinggoy Estrada manifested on Tuesday before plenary to turn over his duties as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development to his vice-chairman, Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara.

In case he will be incarcerated, Estrada designated Sen. Pia Cayetano to defend their measure on the age discrimination bill which penalizes discriminatory acts on the basis of age against workers and even job applicants.

Estrada, along with Senate minority leader Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Ramon Revilla, Jr., are facing the non-bailable plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). 

Since the case is non-bailable, it is expected that the warrants of arrest will be issued against the three senators and other respondents upon determination of the probable cause by the Sandiganbayan.

Estrada also tasked Angara to continue defending other bills pending before the labor committee, which Estrada had handled for many years. “Mukhang makukulong na talaga kami,” Angara said after his manifestation.

Angara, who was acting as majority leader, accepted the responsibility. 

He even suggested, in jest, that they can maybe continue interpellations via “Skype,” a “freemium” voice-over internet protocol service and instant messaging application which can be used on mobile phones or tablets.

Estrada took the floor on Monday to sponsor the anti-age discrimination measure.

 Estrada, chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, said the age discrimination claims in the workplace tend to rise, as young applicants are preferred by employers than the older applicants.

“But both young and older workers are part of the trend of discrimination by reason of age. The jobs of older workers are vulnerable because, with their longer tenure and greater experience, they cost employers more in a tight economy,” Estrada noted.

“Also, stereotypes about loss of speed and acuity might make employers question the employees’ productivity. Meanwhile, young workers are denied employment due to perceived lack of loyalty, instability and experience,” he said.

Committee Report 38 seeks the passage of the proposed act prohibiting the discrimination of the employment of any individual on the basis merely of age. Senate Bill 29 authored by Sen. Pia Cayetano enumerates the following acts as discriminatory:

Violation of the act shall be punished with a fine of not less than 50,000 but not more than 500,000 or imprisonment term of three months up to two years, or both at the discretion of the court.

“I believe that every qualified individual needing a job must be given the chance to get employed based on his/her experience, qualification, competencies and potentials,” Estrada said.

With the increasing labor force, Estrada noted that “competition is high and inevitable but impartial treatment among the jobseekers possessing competencies that best fit the market demands must be observed.”