Issues

Sen. Bam: Tama na ang debate sa TRAIN, aksiyunan ang matinding inflation

The government must act now to ease the burden of high prices of goods and services on the Filipino people by immediately suspending the excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, according to Sen. Bam Aquino. 
 
Sen. Bam made the pronouncement after the country’s inflation rate hit 5.7 percent in July, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). 
 
“Wala nang ihihigpit pa ang sinturon ng taumbayan. Sagad na sagad na po dahil sa mahal ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against ratification of the TRAIN Law. 
 
“Huwag na tayong magtalo kung gaano kalaki ang epekto ng TRAIN sa taas presyo. Utang na loob, pag-usapan na po natin ang solusyon,” said Sen. Bam, who is pushing for the passage of his “Bawas Presyo Bill. 
 
Sen. Bam’s measure seeks to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period. 
 
“Sobra na ang hirap ng taumbayan, tama na po ang debate. Gawin na natin ang nararapat para ibaba ang presyo sa lalong madaling panahon,” said Sen. Bam. 
 
During his consultation with various sectors in different parts of the country, the senator said has received complaints from different sectors, about the negative impact of the TRAIN Law on their livelihood. 
 
In Sen. Bam’s recent visit to Tagbilaran City, a representative from the senior citizens group said that the TRAIN Law is killing them softly and urged the senator to help put a stop to it. 
 
“Iyong TRAIN, parang hindi pinag-aralan. Walang konsultasyon sa baba, kasi kung meron sana hindi iyan natuloy,” said Oni Kalinyahan, a representative from the fisherfolk sector. 
 
“Hindi na kami natutulog para makapantay man lang sa gastusin,” the fisherman added.

Sen. Bam: Bawas Presyo Bill is safer fix to inflation vs. lower tariffs on meat, fish

Rather than impose lower tariffs on fish and meat to lower inflation, Sen. Bam Aquino said the government should focus on the suspension and roll back of excise tax on petroleum products under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. 

“Natutuwa tayo na tanggap na ng administrasyong na napakalaking problema ang mataas na inflation at presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law. 

“Subalit, sa planong bawasan ang taripa, baka ang ating mga magsasaka’t mangingisda ang tamaan dahil sa pagbaba ng presyo ng imported na karne at isda,” warned Sen. Bam. 

“Tulungan na lang ang ating mga kababayang magsasaka at mangingisda na mapababa ang cost of production para bumaba ang presyo ng kanilang produkto at lumaki ang kanilang kita,” suggested Sen. Bam, adding that productions cost has even gone up because of the price of petroleum and government’s excise tax on fuel. 

Sen. Bam stressed that solutions to inflation shouldn’t burden poor families, especially our farmers and fishermen who are already struggling to compete with imported goods. 

“Gusto natin solusyunan at aksiyunan ang taas-presyo, pero gawin natin ito na walang nasasagasaang magsasaka’t mangingisda. Ipasa na sana ng Kongreso ang Bawas Presyo Bill,” said Sen. Bam as he renewed his push for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1798, or his “Bawas Presyo Bill.” 

Sen. Bam’s measure seeks to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period. 

According to Sen. Bam, a roll-back of the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law could help bring down the prices of goods and services and the rise in inflation rate. It will also help lower expenses of farmers and fishermen. 

Sen. Bam warned that another round of increase in the excise tax on fuel will happen on January 2019 under the TRAIN Law. 

“Huwag naman natin hayaan na itaas pa ng gobyerno ang presyo ng petrolyo habang nalulunod ang mga Pilipino sa gastos,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Sen. Bam to gov’t: Fulfill TRAIN’s promise to the poor

The government should fully implement the mitigating measures under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law first before even discussing the passage of TRAIN 2.

“Siguraduhin muna ng gobyerno na ang pinangakong tulong ng TRAIN 1 ay makuha ng mga Pilipino. May ilang milyong pamilya pa ang hindi nakatatanggap ng tulong pinansiyal, pati mga jeepney driver ay nirereklamo ang Pantawid Pasada Program,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

 The government has yet to complete the roll out of the unconditional cash transfer program and Pantawid Pasada Program, which should help jeepney operators and drivers cope with the increase in oil prices.

“Kung napakaraming pangako ang hindi natupad, bakit pa tayo maniniwala sa mga pangako ngayon? Magpakatotoo na tayo. Suspindihin na natin ang mga pahirap na buwis sa TRAIN,” said Sen. Bam, who filed Senate Bill No. 1798 or the “Bawas Presyo Bill” to roll-back and suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when average inflation surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

“Sa pag-uusap namin iba’t ibang komunidad, napakarami ang naghahanap ng solusyon sa taas-presyo. Nalulunod na sila sa gastos,” said Sen. Bam.

On the push to pass TRAIN 2 in the Senate, Sen. Bam says he cannot move on to TRAIN 2 without addressing the issues of TRAIN 1.

  “Mahirap maka-move-on sa TRAIN 2 habang maraming Pilipino pa ang pinapahirapan ng TRAIN 1. Hindi pa naipapatupad ang mga programa para sa mga nasagasaan ng TRAIN,” added Sen. Bam.

 

Sen. Bam to gov’t: Tulungan mag-modernize, huwag i-“phase out” ang kabuhayan ng mga jeepney driver

If the government is serious in modernizing public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in the country, Sen. Bam Aquino said it should provide affordable terms for the operators to avail of modern jeepneys. 
 
“Seryoso ba kayo sa jeepney modernization o gusto niyo ba silang i-phase out?”, asked Sen. Bam during the hearing of the Committee on Public Services.
 
Based on his consultations with jeepney drivers and operators in various areas, Sen. Bam said he received complaints about the steep terms of payment for the modern jeepney. 
 
“Gustong mag-modernize at umasenso ng mga jeepney driver. Tulungan natin sila,” added Sen. Bam. 
 
Sen. Bam urged transport officials to look into lowering the interest and extending the term period so that payments can be equivalent to the daily boundary of jeepney drivers. Different transport organizations present during the hearing supported Sen. Bam’s proposal. 
 
“Kung hindi natin itatapat ang offer ng gobyerno sa kanilang boundary, mawawalan ng kabuhayan ang mahihirap na Pilipino at baka malaking kumpanya pa ang pumalit at makinabang,” said Sen. Bam. 
 
“Suporta at hindi pahirap ang kailangan ng taumbayan, lalo na ang mga mahihirap na nalulunod na sa taas ng presyo ng petrolyo,” stressed Sen. Bam. 
 
Sen. Bam has been pushing for the quick implementation of the Pantawid Pasada Program and its expansion to other modes of transport like tricycles and UV Express vans. He also filed the Bawas Presyo Bill to roll-back and suspend TRAIN’s excise tax of petroleum products.

Sen. Bam: 900 Negosyo Centers now open to support small Filipino businesses

Residents of Carmen, Agusan del Norte can now visit their community’s Negosyo Center for help and support in starting a business or growing their family’s livelihood with the opening of the 900th Negosyo Center in the Philippines. 
 
“900 na ang mga Negosyo Centers na handang tumulong sa mga kababayan nating nais magnegosyo at magkaroon ng kabuhayan. Lahat po ay welcome kaya bumisita na kayo,” said Sen. Bam, principal sponsor and author of Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act. 
 
Located at the municipal grounds, the newest Negosyo Center was inaugurated by Carmen mayor Ramon Calo. He was joined by other local officials, Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya and other concerned stakeholders. 
 
Sen. Bam’s first enacted law in 2014, the Go Negosyo Act mandates the establishment of Negosyo Centers in all municipalities, cities and provinces that will assist micro, small and medium enterprises in the country. 
 
Negosyo Centers provide access to markets and financing for businesses, training programs, and a simplified business registration process, thus helping ease of doing business and fast-track government processes in putting up a business. 
 
According to Sen. Bam, Negosyo Centers provide a key role in fulfilling the dreams of many Filipinos who want to establish their own business as means of livelihood. 
 
“Malaking bagay ang ating Negosyo Centers para mabigyan ng karampatang tulong ang ating mga kababayan na nais magnegosyo,” said Sen. Bam. 
 
“Maliban pa rito, makatutulong din ang Negosyo Center para mabigyan ng suporta ang mga kababayan nating nais kumita ng extra, lalo ngayong mataas ang presyo ng bilihin,” added Sen. Bam, a long-time advocate of micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) development.

Sen. Bam to Congress: Manindigan at suportahan ang anti-dynasty bill

Sen. Bam Aquino urged political clans to make a stand and support the enactment of an anti-dynasty law for the sake of the Filipino people.

“Manindigan din dapat kaming mula sa political family. Suportahan natin ang anti-dynasty law, para sa ikabubuti ng taumbayan,” said Sen. Bam, co-author of Senate Bill No. 1765 or the Anti-Political Dynasty Act of 2018.

Sen. Bam said the passage of an anti-dynasty law will encourage and empower more excellent Filipinos with a passion for service, to run for office and be given the opportunity to effect change in government.

 “Matagal nang hindi pinapansin ang anti-political dynasty provision ng ating Konstitusyon. Panahon na para isabatas ito,” Sen. Bam stressed.

“Tatlumpung taon nang overdue na ang batas na ito, at hindi ito pakiusap, mandato ito ng Konstitusyon. Dahil hindi lalago ang ating demokrasya hanggang may political dynasties.” Sen. Bam added.

Sen. Bam also emphasized the importance of the law’s passage, especially with the government’s push for federalism, which will strengthen the grip of political dynasties in their respective turfs.

Sen. Bam is one of the co-authors of the Anti-Political Dynasty Act of 2018 in the Senate.

Sen. Bam Aquino pushes ‘Bawas Presyo Bill’ amid rising gas prices

Sen. Bam Aquino urged the government to address the rising prices of goods, especially that of petroleum products, by supporting the passage of his measure dubbed as “Bawas Presyo Bill.”
 
“Huwag na patagalin pa ang paghihirap ng ating mga kababayan. May magagawa tayo para maibsan ang pagtaas ng presyo,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.
 
“Simplehan lang po natin. Taas presyo ang problema, bawas presyo ang solusyon. Kailangang ipasa na ang Bawas Presyo Bill sa lalong madaling panahon,” added Sen. Bam, referring to his Senate Bill No. 1798.
 
Sen. Bam’s measure seeks to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.
 
According to Sen. Bam, the government cannot escape the fact that its tax reform program, particularly the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law, has led to the increase in prices of goods and services and the rise in inflation rate.
 
He added that under the TRAIN Law, another increase in the excise tax on fuel is scheduled for January 2019.
 
“Huwag naman natin hayaan na itaas pa ng gobyerno ang presyo ng petrolyo habang nalulunod ang mga pamilya sa gastos,” urged Sen. Bam.
 
Sen. Bam also urged Congress to prioritize the suspension and rollback of excise tax under the TRAIN Law, instead of focusing on the passage of TRAIN 2.

Sen. Bam: PET should take cue from Comelec 25% threshold

Now that the Commission on Elections has spoken on the issue of the 25-percent threshold, Sen. Bam Aquino is confident that the Presidential Electoral Tribunal will do the right thing in the election protest filed against Vice President Leni Robredo by losing candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“With no less than the Comelec saying that the 25-percent threshold should be used in the manual recount, we expect the PET to use it as guide in making the right decision,” said Sen. Bam, campaign manager of Vice President Robredo in the 2016 elections.

“In the end, I am confident that VP Leni will be vindicated from the false accusations made against her and her victory will be proven,” added Sen. Bam.

In its comment to the PET on the motion for reconsideration filed by Vice President Robredo, the Comelec informed the PET that the vote-counting machines used the 25-percent shading threshold in the 2016 elections.

The Comelec said it used the said threshold to ensure votes are not wasted due to inadequate shading or that no accidental or unintended small marks are counted as votes.

Earlier, VP Robredo filed a motion for reconsideration after the PET allowed the use of the 50-percent threshold in the manual recount for vice president.

If used, the 50-percent threshold, that was last utilized in the 2010 elections, could lead to massive disenfranchisement of votes for both camps, Robredo’s legal counsel Romulo Macalintal insisted.

Sen. Bam to govt: Solusyunan ang taas-presyo bago mag-TRAIN 2

Instead of pushing for the passage of its second package, Senator Bam Aquino urged the government the first address the woes inflicted by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law to the Filipino people.

“Hindi pa nakaka-move on ang taumbayan sa TRAIN 1, TRAIN 2 na ang pinag-uusapan. Alam naman po nating madami pa rin ang napeperwisyo ng TRAIN Law,” said Sen. Bam, one of senators who voted against the ratification of the government’s tax reform program.

On Monday, President Duterte said around four million Filipino families have benefited from the unconditional cash transfer given by the government as part of the TRAIN Law. However, Sen. Bam said there is a long way to go for the government as it has yet to release assistance to six million more poor Filipino families.

“Nabanggit pa sa SONA na maraming natutulungang mahirap ang TRAIN. Ipinagmalaki na apat na milyon ang nabigyan ng tulong sa TRAIN Law, pero kulang pa ng 6 milyon. Hindi ba bagsak ang grado na 40%?” added Sen. Bam.

“Aksyunan na lang natin ang problema. Kailangang isalba ang nalulunod sa taas presyo, lalo na ang mahihirap na Pilipino,” Sen. Bam insisted.

Sen. Bam said Congress should prioritize the suspension and rollback of excise tax under the TRAIN Law, instead of working on the passage of TRAIN 2.

Sen. Bam has filed a measure that seeks to suspend and roll back the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law.

Under Sen. Bam’s measure, the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law will be suspended and rolled back once average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

The senator emphasized that a suspension and rollback are necessary as there is a scheduled increase in excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law come January 2019.

Sen. Bam urges Congress to prioritize measure to suspend TRAIN, roll back excise tax on petroleum

With Malacanang firm on implementing the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, Senator Bam Aquino said poor Filipinos now look up to the Senate to save them from high prices of goods and services. 

“Malinaw ang pakiusap ng taumbayan na nalulunod sa taas presyo. Ang tanong lang ngayon ay kung makikinig ba ang Senado,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

With the government virtually turning its back on Filipinos, Sen. Bam said Filipinos have no one else to turn to but the Senate, which holds the capacity to ease the suffering of our poor countrymen.

“Nakinig tayo sa SONA na umaasang matutugunan ang tumitinding problema mataas na presyo ng bilihin, subalit tayong lahat ay nabigo,” said Sen. Bam, referring to President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).

President Duterte, in his SONA, insisted that the government has no plan of stopping the implementation of the TRAIN Law and pushed for the passage of its second package before the year ends.

“Dahil hindi kasama sa prayoridad ng gobyerno ang kapakanan ng taumbayan, tayo sa Senado ngayon ang inaasahan ng ating mga kababayan. Huwag sana natin silang biguin,” the senator added.

Sen. Bam emphasized that the suspension of TRAIN Law is not about politics, but about the lives of Filipino people, who are drowning in high prices of goods due to the government’s tax reform program.

Sen. Bam renewed his call to fellow lawmakers to support the measure that he filed, seeking to suspend and roll back the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law.

Under Sen. Bam’s measure, the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law will be suspended and rolled back once average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

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