The country's largest mall operator, SM, has claimed that it does not hire workers on "contractual" basis after all presidential candidates vowed to end the practice that has caused pain for tens of thousands.

Some companies in the country hire employees short of six months to avoid promoting them to regular status, which would entitle them to additional pay and benefits under law. Such practice of ending employment has been called "endo."

READ: Meet Miguel: Grappling with PH’s contractualization conundrum

"SM does not do contractualization. We do hire for seasons. We have a lot of regular employees. We have to follow the law, and we will find ways to survive." SM Investment Corp. President Harley Sy said on Wednesday.

The company owned by the company's richest man, Henry Sy, which operates 57 giant malls in the Philippines and several others in China, has 65,000 regular employees, he said.

The SM Group, which has expanded to banks, condominiums, resorts and casinos, has earmarked P85-billion for expansion this year, higher than last year's P80 billion, SM Investments Chief Investment Officer Jose Sio said.

"We have set 5-10 year goals. We will push through with it regardless of who wins the presidency," he said.