  We revisit local F-theory SO(10) and SU(5) GUTs and analyze their properties
within the framework of the maximal underlying E_8 symmetry in the elliptic
fibration. We consider the symmetry enhancements along the intersections of
seven-branes with the GUT surface and study in detail the embedding of the
abelian factors undergoing monodromies in the covering gauge groups. We combine
flux data from the successive breaking of SO(10) to SU(5) gauge symmetry and
subsequently to the Standard Model one, and further constrain the parameters
determining the models' particle spectra. In order to eliminate dangerous
baryon number violating operators we propose ways to construct matter parity
like symmetries from intrinsic geometric origin. We study implementations of
the resulting constrained scenario in specific examples obtained for a variety
of monodromies.
