Issues

Sen. Bam: Itodo na ang tulong sa transport sector

Senator Bam Aquino lamented the government’s insufficient and late support for the transport sector, saying the Pantawid Pasada Program should be reviewed if it’s enough to cover the increase in fuel prices and other needs of jeepney drivers. 

“Atrasado na nga ang tulong, kulang pa ang ibibigay ng gobyerno sa mga tsuper ng pampasaherong jeep,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the July implementation of the Pantawid Pasada Program, a mitigating measure under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

Under the Pantawid Pasada Program, a total of P5,000 will be given to jeepney drivers for the last six months of 2018. This will mean an additional P833 per month or P27.7 per day. 

“Kung kukuwentahin, wala pang isang litro ng diesel ang tulong na binibigay sa ating mga jeepney driver. Kulang na kulang ito sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam urged the government to ensure that the Pantawid Pasada Program is sufficient to cover the rise in fuel prices and allow jeepney drivers to use it for other needs, such as food.

The senator also reiterated his call to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to expand the Pantawid Pasada Program to other modes of public transportations such as tricycles and UV express.

“Kung tutulong na rin lang tayo, bakit hindi pa natin lubus-lubusin at isama ang mga nagmamaneho ng tricycle at UV Express,” suggested Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam has been pushing for the suspension and rollback of the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law to help lower the prices of fuel and goods at the same time.

Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to stop and rollback the excise tax on fuel when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

“Suportahan na rin sana ng administrasyong and pag-roll-back sa excise tax sa petrolyo at siguraduhing sususpindihin ang dagdag na buwis sa petrolyo sa 2019 dahil sa TRAIN,” stressed Sen. Bam.

“Nalulunod na sa taas presyo ang mga drayber. Nababawasan na nga ang kita, tumataas pa ang presyo ng bilihin,” he added.

Sen. Bam has been meeting with different transport organizations all over the country to get their stand on the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam: Drop in President’s approval signals cry for help from high prices, poverty

The 11-point drop in President Duterte’s approval rating is a cry for help from the Filipino people amid the rising prices of goods due to the government’s tax reform program, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Paalala po ito sa ating pangulo mula sa ating mga kababayan na nalulunod sa taas presyo na pakinggan ang kanilang hiling na ipreno na ang TRAIN,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

“Senyales ito na lalo nang nahihirapan sa buhay ang mga Pilipino. Bigyan natin sila ng kaunting ginhawa,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam made the pronouncement after Duterte’s net approval rating dropped by 11 points from a “very good” 56 percent to a personal-low 45 percent, according to the latest survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

Sen. Bam is hoping that President Duterte will tackle the issue of TRAIN Law and high prices of goods in his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Umaasa kami na pupunan ng pansin sa SONA ang isyu ng pagtaas ng presyo. Sana suportahan ng Pangulo ang pagroll-back sa excise tax sa petrolyo,” added Sen. Bam, referring to his measure that aims 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.

Sen. Bam also is pushing for the full implementation of mitigating measures under the TRAIN Law, such as the unconditional cash transfer program for poor families and the Pantawid Pasada for jeepney operators and drivers.

Sen. Bam Aquino on VP Leni Robredo’s competence

Wala pa sa gobyerno si VP Leni napatunayan na niya ang malasakit sa mga kababayan nating mahihirap at inaapi. 
 
Sa akin po ang tunay na pamantayan ng kakayanan ng isang lider ay paghanap ng solusyon sa mga problema ng taumbayan. 
 
Iyong mga pamayanang natulungan ni VP Leni ang patunay ng kanyang kakayahan.

Sen. Bam: Pahirap ang TRAIN Law, hindi perpekto

How can you call a law perfect if it burdens the poor?

This was Sen. Bam Aquino’s reaction to Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno’s pronouncement that the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law is a perfect law.

“Paano magiging perpekto ang batas na sumasagasa sa mahihirap na Pilipino?” asked Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

“Konting malasakit naman po para sa mahihirap,” Sen. Bam stressed, adding that the government should not ignore the suffering of Filipinos, especially the poor, from high prices of goods.

“Huwag naman ninyong maliitin ang paghihirap ng mga kababayan nating nalulunod sa taas presyo,” said Sen. Bam.

“Tinitiyak ko po sa inyo totoong mabigat ang pinapasan ng taumbayan dahil sa taas presyo na dulot ng TRAIN,” the senator added.

Sen. Bam renewed his call to the President to listen to the cry of Filipinos, who are already burdened by the high prices of goods due to the government’s tax reform program.

“Sana lang marinig ng Pangulo ang hinaing ng mga pamilyang pilipinong nalulunod na sa taas presyo,” said Sen. Bam, adding that he expects the Chief Executive to address the issue during his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Earlier, Sen. Bam said the government should join hands with the legislative in finding ways to solve the problem to alleviate the plight of Filipinos.

As part of his effort to alleviate the suffering of the Filipinos, Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to suspend and roll back the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law once average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Sen. Bam also is pushing for the full implementation of mitigating measures under the TRAIN Law, such as the unconditional cash transfer program for poor families and the Pantawid Pasada for jeepney operators and drivers.

Sen. Bam Aquino, lone opposition standing in winning circle

Senator Bam Aquino remained as the lone opposition in the winning circle for the 2019 senatorial elections, according to the latest survey by Pulse Asia.  

In the Pulse Asia survey conducted from June 15 to 21, 2018, participated in by 1,800 respondents, Sen. Bam was among the probable winners. 

“Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa patuloy na suporta ng mga Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam, “Pero kailangan pa nating patibayin ang boses ng oposisyon sa Senado.” 

“Mahalaga na mayroong handang tumutol at handang lumaban sa administrasyon tuwing may programa na sasagasa sa mahihirap na Pilipino,” Sen. Bam added, referring to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. 

As one of four senators who voted against its ratification, Sen. Bam has been aggressively pushing for the suspension and rollback of the excise tax under the TRAIN Law. 

Sen. Bam believes that suspending the excise tax under the TRAIN law can help ease the burden on Filipinos who are bearing the brunt of the increase in prices of goods and services due to the government’s tax reform program. 

 “Kailangan pa ng mga pinunong handang tumutol at handang magpatupad ng mga solusyon sa mga nagpapahirap sa taumbayan, tulad ng pagtaas ng presyo,” the senator added. 

 “Kapag mayroong programang makakatulong, all-out dapat ang suporta. Ngunit kapag hindi ito nakabubuti sa pamilyang Pilipino, handa rin dapat kumontra,” Sen. Bam asserted. 

Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to suspend and roll back the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law once average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period. 

Sen. Bam also is pushing for the full implementation of mitigating measures under the TRAIN Law, such as the unconditional cash transfer program for poor families and the Pantawid Pasada for jeepney operators and drivers.

Sen. Bam: Tama na ang palusot sa taas-presyo, umaksyon para sa mahihirap na Pilipino

Senator Bam Aquino advised the government to squarely face the issues emanating from the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, such as high prices of goods, instead of being in a state of denial about it.

“Panahon na para tanggapin ng administrasyon na may malaki tayong problema, na nalulunod ang taumbayan sa taas presyo,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

While the government continues its inaction on the matter, Filipinos, especially the poor, continue to bear the brunt of the high prices of goods as they struggle to make ends meet.

“Sa bawat araw na nagdadaan, lumalala ang problema ng taas presyo na nagpapahirap sa pamilyang Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam.

“Hindi po nakakabawas ang mga palusot at paliwanag sa paghihirap ng mga kababayan natin,” he added.

Instead of evading the issue, Sen. Bam said the government should join hands with the legislative in finding ways to solve the problem to alleviate the plight of Filipinos.

“Harapin na po natin ang problema ng taas presyo, pagtulungan nating hanapan ng solusyon para gumaan ang buhay ng taumbayan,” said Sen. Bam, adding that the ideal way is to suspend the TRAIN Law immediately.

“Gawin po natin ito para sa mga kababayan nating pinapahirapan ng tumitinding taas presyo araw-araw,” Sen. Bam emphasized.

For his part, Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to suspend and roll back the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law once average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Sen. Bam also is pushing for the full implementation of mitigating measures under the TRAIN Law, such as the unconditional cash transfer program for poor families and the Pantawid Pasada for jeepney operators and drivers.

Sen. Bam: Be vigilant of Cha-cha moves, protect right to vote

Senator Bam Aquino urged the public to be vigilant about the government’s Charter change move, stressing that it could deprive people of the right to choose their next leaders.

“Nangangamba ako na dahil sa Charter change na isinusulong ng pamahalaang ito, mawawala ang kapangyarihan ng mamamayan na pumili at magdesisyon,” said Sen. Bam.

“Boto na nga lang ang natitirang boses ng ilang Pilipinong hindi napakikinggan ng gobyerno, ipagkakait pa ito sa kanila” added Sen. Bam.

 According to Sen. Bam, the Filipino people will be at the losing end if the administration insists on postponing the 2019 elections.

 “Agrabyado talaga ang sambayanan kapag hindi itutuloy ang eleksyon sa isang taon dahil mapagkakaitan ng boses sa pagpapasya ang mga kababayan natin,” Sen. Bam pointed out.

“Huwag naman po sanang tanggalan ng karapatan ang taumbayan na pumili at bumoto ng mga lider natin,” the senator added.

 Sen. Bam assured the public that the opposition will keep a close watch on the government’s effort to change the 1987 Constitution to ensure that the Filipino people’s interest will be protected.

“Kailangan po nating bantayan na interes ng taumbayan ang mamayani sa gitna ng planong Cha-Cha. Hindi natin hahayaang maagrabyado ang taumbayan sa isinusulong na ito ng gobyerno,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam: Gov’t should be alarmed, protect poor from high inflation rate

Senator Bam Aquino contradicted government’s claim that the 5.2-percent inflation rate in June is not alarming, saying it should be concerned about the suffering of the Filipinos on the high prices of goods due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.   

“Dapat lang na mabahala ang gobyerno sa matinding taas presyo. Huwag natin ito maliitin dahil pinapahirapan nito ang ating mga kababayan,” said Sen. Bam, in reaction to Malacanang’s statement that the current inflation rate is not something to worry about

“Hanggang nalulunod sa taas presyo ang mga kababayan natin, hindi magiging epektibo ang mga programa kontra-kahirapan,” added Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam hopes that the President will address the issue of the TRAIN Law in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) and focus on anti-poverty measures to help ease the burden of Filipinos, especially the poor.

“Umaasa tayong pagtutuunan ng Pangulo sa kanyang pangalawang SONA ang pagsugpo sa kahirapan para tulungan ang ating mga kababayan na maitawid ang pangangailangan araw-araw at makaahon,” Sen. Bam pointed out.

“Para maging matagumpay ang pagsugpo sa kahirapan, kailangan magsimula sa pagsugpo ng taas presyo sa pamamagitan ng pagsuspinde sa TRAIN,” he added.

Sen. Bam has been pushing for the suspension of the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law as it could help lower prices of goods and services. 

The senator has submitted a bill seeking to suspend and roll back the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law once average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period. 

In addition, Sen. Bam is pushing for the full implementation of mitigating measures under the TRAIN Law, such as the unconditional cash transfer program for poor families and the Pantawid Pasada for jeepney operators and drivers.

Sen. Bam: Inflation doubled in 1 year, suspend TRAIN now

Senator Bam Aquino slammed the government’s continued inaction on the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law amid the doubling of the country’s inflation rate in a span of one year.

“Sa loob lang ng isang taon, dumoble na ang inflation rate ng bansa pero nagmamatigas pa rin ang gobyerno sa TRAIN Law,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the government’s tax reform program.

“Malinaw ang mensahe ng 5.2 percent na inflation rate. Kailangan nang i-preno ang TRAIN sa lalong madaling panahon dahil nalulunod na sa taas presyo ang taumbayan,” said Sen. Bam

From 2.5 in June 2017, Sen, Bam said the country’s inflation rate soared to 5.2 in June 2018, based on the latest report by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The latest inflation rate surpassed the projection by the country’s economic managers. The Department of Finance (DOF) predicted the inflation rate at 4.9 percent while Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas economists placed it at 5.1 percent.

Sen. Bam has been going around the country and meeting with different sectors to get their views about the government’s tax reform program. During his dialogue with different sectors, the senator received numerous complaints about high prices of goods and services and the lack of necessary support from the government.

Sen. Bam has been pushing for the suspension and rollback of the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law to ease the burden of Filipinos due to high prices of goods and services.

Sen. Bam has submitted a bill seeking to suspend and roll back the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law once average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period. 

In addition, Sen. Bam is pushing for the full implementation of mitigating measures under the TRAIN Law, such as the unconditional cash transfer program for poor families and the Pantawid Pasada for jeepney operators and drivers.

Sen. Bam: President should address high prices, support TRAIN suspension during SONA

With the country’s inflation rate breaching the 5-percent mark in June, Senator Bam Aquino is hoping President Duterte would announce the suspension of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law in his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Hindi na makatarungan ang pagpataw ng excise tax sa petrolyo habang pataas ng pataas ang presyo nito sa merkado. Nalulunod na ang taumbayan sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) announced on Thursday that inflation rate reached 5.2 percent in June, the fastest level in at least five years.

On Tuesday, oil companies raised their pump prices by P0.65 per liter for gasoline, P0.55 for diesel and P0.70 for kerosene. Starting this month, the electric bill of Manila Electric Company consumers will reflect a higher generation charge due to tight power supply and the further weakening of the peso.

 “Ito ang numero unong alalahanin ng mga pamilya kaya sana talakayin ito ng Pangulo sa kanyang SONA. Tugunan natin ang pangangailangan ng Pilipino. I-roll-back at suspindihin na ang excise tax ng TRAIN,” added Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

During his dialogue with different sectors, Sen. Bam said he has received many grumblings about the high prices of goods and services and the lack of necessary support from the government.

Sen. Bam insisted that the suspension and rollback of the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law should provide welcome relief for Filipinos who are burdened by high prices of goods and services.

“Sana marinig ng Pangulo ang hinaing ng taumbayan,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam has submitted a bill seeking to suspend and roll back the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law once average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.  

Also, Sen. Bam is pushing for the full implementation of mitigating measures under the TRAIN Law, such as the unconditional cash transfer program for poor families and the Pantawid Pasada for jeepney operators and drivers.

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