Senators have filed a measure seeking to grant benefits and privileges to former Philippines presidents to enable them to perform their "post-presidential duties."
Senate Bill No. 1784 or Former Presidents Benefits Act of 2023 was filed by Senators Christopher Lawrence 'Bong' Go, Mark Villar, Ronald Dela Rosa, and Francis Tolentino on January 26.
Under the measure, they said former presidents are still expected to perform post-presidential duties even though their term had ended.
The said duties include attending meetings with foreign and local dignitaries and attending public events and other social engagements.
"The bill also provides them and their immediate family security protection in order to thwart any attempt to harm them even after leaving public office," the lawmakers said.
The benefits that the Senators have proposed are as follows:
- three personal security and protection personnel for former presidents
- two security and protection personnel for their immediate family for so long as the said former president is living
- adequate staff
- suitable office space appropriately furnished and equipped
The Senators said the security personnel shall be provided by the Presidential Security Group (PSG), and be augmented by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Meanwhile, the staff and proposed office shall be granted by the Office of the President (OP).
In addition to this, the former president will have the right to choose the head of his or her own security personnel and office staff.
Under the measure, the four Senators proposed that the fund that will support the provisions shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).
