Issues

Sen. Bam to gov’t: Guarantee financial assistance before price increase

Senator Bam Aquino urged the government to ensure that financial assistance for the poor through the cash transfer program is implemented by the time the tax reform program is rolled out.
 
“Mahihirap na pamilya ang masasagasaan ng tax reform dahil sa pagtaas ng bilihin. Kaya dapat talagang isabay ang financial assistance sa pagpapatupad ng TRAIN sa Enero 2018 kapag ito’y naisabatas,” Sen. Bam said in a radio interview.
 
Sen. Bam was referring to the financial assistance that will be given to poor Filipino families to help them absorb the brunt of the effects of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) once it is enacted into law and implemented in January 2018.
 
Under the Senate version of financial assistance, poor families will be given P300 a month for three years.
 
During the period of amendments, Sen. Bam worked for the retention of the financial assistance program in the Senate version of the measure and pushed for its implementation on January 2018 to help the poor Filipinos bear the brunt of the expected increase in prices of basic commodities and services.
 
However, the Department of Finance (DOF) said it cannot implement the cash transfer program and the TRAIN at once but will try to do so.
 
Even the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) stated that they cannot roll out the cash transfer program in January 2018, as they still need to finalize the database of families, among other preparations.
 
“Sana makita natin sa final version na magkasabay ang programang iyan para sa mahihirap. Kung may mangyayaring pagtaas ng presyo, dapat kasabay sa Enero ang tulong na ibibigay sa kanila,” said Sen. Bam.
 
“Kailangan masiguro natin na may makukuhang suporta ang ating mga mahihirap na kababayan na magsisilbing pambalanse sa mga epekto ng panukalang ito, kabilang na ang pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin,” Sen. Bam added.
 
Aside from the financial assistance, Sen. Bam pushed for the amendment to exempt micro-enterprises from paying the 3% percentage tax, on top of their income tax exemption.
 
With Sen. Bam’s amendment, micro-entrepreneurs like sari-sari stores, vendors, and farmers would enjoy tax-free status and be spared from harassment by tax agents. The senator also proposed to simplify bookkeeping records and requirements for micro businesses. Sen. Bam’s amendments would come at no additional cost to the government.

Sen. Bam pushes for more players in internet, telco sector

In celebration of the World Competition Day, Sen. Bam Aquino announced that the Senate is moving forward with measures to remove barriers to competition in telecommunications and data transmission services.
 
“I am happy to announce that the Senate will start tackling the Open Access Bill in my Committee next week.” said Sen. Bam Aquino, the principal author of Senate Bill No. 171, otherwise known as the Open Access in Data Transmission Bill.
 
On Tuesday, the Committee on Science and Technology, chaired by Sen. Aquino, will hold its first hearing on the Open Access in Data Transmission Bill, which will formulate regulations to encourage the entry of more players in different segments of our telecommunications and data transmission industry, while ensuring that safeguards are in place to maintain fair competition.”
 
“The price of internet service in our country has been tagged as one of the most expensive in our region. Healthy competition is our best bet to promote affordability and finally improve services for the Filipino consumers,” said Sen. Bam, who is the principal sponsor and co-author of Republic Act 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act in the Senate during the 16th Congress.
 
It was during Sen. Bam’s tenure as chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship that the Philippine Competition Act was passed into law. This landmark legislation took twenty-five (25 years) to pass.
 
The Philippine Competition Act is expected to eliminate cartels, and penalize anti-competitive agreements and abuses of dominant players in the markets that lead to high prices of goods and services.
 
In addition, the law promotes a culture of healthy competition that inspires ingenuity, creativity, and innovation in addressing market needs.
 
The measure will also prohibit anti-competitive agreements and abuses of dominant position that distort, manipulate, or constrict the operations of markets in the Philippines.

Sen. Bam calls on stakeholders, leaders to unite for education reform

After the passage of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, Sen. Bam Aquino called on different education stakeholders and leaders to unite and work together for education reform to give more Filipino students a chance at a better future. 
 
“Now that we’ve passed our major reform, giving more Filipinos access to a college education through the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, we must move to strengthen the quality of education in the country,” said Sen. Bam during his speech at the 2017 Philippine Education Summit. 
 
At the event, various stakeholders including the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Deveopment Authority (TESDA) presented their accomplishments over the past year, the challenges that lay ahead and their plans to improve access to quality education in the Philippines. 
 
“Let’s work together to ensure that there is a seamless transition from student to employee or entrepreneur through strong academic-industry linkages,” added Sen. Bam. 
 
During his time as chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam worked with stakeholders in the crafting of reforms that can give more Filipinos access to quality education. 
 
While his chairmanship was a short one, Sen. Bam spearheaded the passage of one of the most important education reforms in the country –Republic Act 10931 or Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which he pushed in the Senate as principal sponsor and co-author. 
 
The law provides free education to students in state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges and TESDA-run vocational schools. Aside from tuition fees, the government will shoulder miscellaneous and all other mandatory fees. 
 
Scholarship grants will be made available to students of both public and private college and universities. It also provides a new and improved student loan program, where students can apply for financing for other education expenses. 
 
In addition, students taking post-graduate studies can avail of the new and improved student loan program and scholarships under the law. 
 
During his speech, Sen. Bam has given his commitment to ensure that the law will be funded and implemented properly to ensure that “every Filipino has access to quality education and better opportunities to make a living.”

Sen. Bam pushes for more opportunities for PWDs

As the world celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Sunday (Dec. 3), Sen. Bam Aquino reiterated the call for the passage of his two measures that support Filipino PWDs and provide them with the needed assistance.

“We need to ensure that our PWDs are given proper assistance and opportunities to make a living,” said Sen. Bam, who filed Senate Bill No. 356 and 1249 in the 17th Congress.

 Under Senate Bill No. 1249, government agencies and private offices must allot two and one percent of their workforce, respectively, to PWDs.

“This bill seeks to create more job opportunities for PWDs in the workforce and provide commensurate compensation, benefits and employment terms for PWDs as any other qualified employee,” Sen. Bam said.

 Senate Bill No. 356 aims to provide mandatory Philhealth coverage for PWDs, to ensure that their health is protected.

 “Social services should be provided to those with the least in society. Health services should be provided to those who need it the most,” Sen. Bam said, referring to Senate Bill No. 356.

 The two measures aim to amend Republic Act 7277 or the “Magna Carta for Persons with Disability” to accommodate the latest benefits and privileges for PWDs.

 In the 16th Congress, Sen. Bam worked for the welfare of PWDs as co-author of Republic Act 10754 in the Senate. The law exempts PWDs from paying the value added tax (VAT) and gives tax incentives to persons with PWD dependents, up to fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity.

Sen. Bam: Balik Scientist Bill hurdles Senate on third and final reading

The Senate has passed on third and final reading a measure seeking to attract scientists and experts of Filipino descent residing overseas to return to the Philippines and help boost the country’s research and development, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

Principally authored and sponsored by Sen. Bam, Senate Bill No. 1533 under Committee Report No. 143, or the Balik Scientist Bill, hurdled the third and final reading via a 13-0 vote.

 “This is a step towards improving the country’s research and development sector. We must support more initiatives to empower our scientists and researchers,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

 The measure aims to provide overseas Filipino scientists with financial benefits and incentives to encourage them to return to the Philippines and help boost the country’s research and development.

 It seeks to institutionalize the Balik Scientist Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which successfully encouraged some of our scientists to return and contribute to research that will help address development gaps in the Philippines.

 If enacted into law, Sen. Bam hopes that it will also address the lack of science professionals caused by the exodus of scientists and researchers to other countries.

 In a recent committee hearing spearheaded by Sen. Bam, it was revealed that the Philippines has 189 scientists per million, a far cry from the ideal ratio of 380 scientists per million.

Compared to other countries, the Philippines lags behind South Korea and United States, which have 5,300 and 3,500 scientists per million, respectively. Malaysia, for its part, has 2,000 scientists per million.

 A Balik Scientist is a science and technology expert or professional, as certified by the DOST, who is currently or who was formerly a Filipino citizen or a foreigner of Filipino descent, residing abroad, and contracted by the government to return and serve in the Philippines along his or her field of expertise under short, medium, or long term engagement.

Sen. Bam: No more taxes for micro businesses

Micro enterprises earning less than P250,000 annually will no longer be required to pay percentage taxes thanks to the amendment pushed by Sen. Bam Aquino on the proposed tax reform program.

 During the period of amendments on the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN), Sen. Bam pushed for an amendment that exempts micro enterprises earning below P250,000 from paying percentage tax, on top of their income tax exemption.

“Exempted na sa percentage tax ang mga fishball vendors, sari-sari store owners, pati ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda na kumikita ng 250,000 pesos or less sa isang taon,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, a former social entrepreneur and principal sponsor of the Go Negosyo Act.

“We moved for this amendment because we have received many reports that some micro businesses are being required to pay the 3% percentage tax,” Sen. Bam added.

 Sen. Bam said the amendment will ensure a tax-free status for our micro entrepreneurs and free them from harassment by tax agents, at no additional cost to the government. The senator also proposed to simplify bookkeeping records and requirements for micro businesses.

 Sen. Bam is thankful to Sen. Sonny Angara, chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, for accepting both these amendments in support of the micro enterprise sector.

 “Protektahan natin ang kita ng mga maliliit na negosyo at kabuhayan ng maraming pamilyang Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam, adding that this will help one million Filipinos or more.

 The Senate will continue to deliberate on the amendments to the TRAIN on Monday. “We will ensure that this amendment will make it to the end,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam fears whitewash at Customs

A senator expressed shock over the Department of Justice’s decision to clear Bureau of Customs (BOC) officials in connection with the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of shabu into the country last May.

“Kakaiba iyan. Sa aming pagdinig sa Senado, kitang-kita na hindi mangyayari ang pagpasok ng droga sa bansa kung walang kasabwat sa loob ng BOC. It takes two to tango,” said Sen. Bam Aquino during a radio interview.

“Whether pinapasok iyan dahil kasangkot sila, o dahil sa corruption dahil nasilaw sila sa pera. Whatever the case, liable pa rin sila at kasama pa rin sila sa nagpasok ng droga sa bansa,” added the senator.

“Kakaiba ho iyan pero marami namang kakaiba sa DOJ ngayon,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam stressed that the draft report of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, headed by Sen. Richard Gordon, recommended that cases be filed against Customs officials, led by former commissioner Nicanor Faeldon.

Sen. Bam: Shield the poor from admin’s tax increases

How about the country’s poor?

 Senator Bam Aquino raised this question as he opposed moves to remove the earmarking provision of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN), which is aimed at helping country’s poor cope with the expected increase in prices of goods and services brought about by the government’s proposed tax measure.

 “This tax measure will hit the poorest of our countrymen the hardest. It’s necessary on our part to have the earmarking and an effective cash transfer program para sa ating mahihirap na kababayan,” said Sen. Bam during the period of amendments for TRAIN.

 Earmarking allots parts of revenues generated from the tax measure to several priority programs, including financial assistance to the country’s poor through an unconditional cash transfer program to help them cope with the expected price increase once the measure is enacted into law.

 Based on computation, the country’s poor will be given a P300 monthly financial assistance for a certain period of time to help cover the increase in prices of basic goods due to additional tax on sugar beverages and petroleum. 

“Kailangan matiyak na mayroong makukuhang tulong kada buwan mula sa pamahalaan ang mga mahihirap na pamilya upang mabalanse ang pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin. Kung hindi natin gagawin iyan, we will be passing a measure which will hit our poorest countrymen the worst,” Sen. Bam stressed, adding that the Department of Finance itself presented the cash transfer program as the best solution to help the country’s poor cope with the increase in prices.

 During the period of amendments, Sen. Bam committed to present proposals on how to ensure that the welfare of the country’s poor will be protected under this tax reform program.

 “Kailangan nating isipin ang kapakanan ng mga kababayan nating mahihirap na siyang tatamaan nang husto sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam: Increase in taxes will hit poor Filipinos

Sen. Bam Aquino said the proposed tax reform measure would lead to higher prices of basic goods and other services if the government insists on passing it.

“Alam naman natin na ang pagtaas ng bilihin ay napakasakit sa bulsa ng maraming Pilipino,” Sen. Bam said in a radio interview.

But without the necessary number to block its passage, Sen. Bam said the minority could only work on easing the measure’s burden on the public.

“Kaya sinisikap naming siyasatin ang lahat ng probisyon. Ang binabantayan namin sa minority ay masiguro ang mga benepisyo sa tao, tulad ng pagkakaroon ng bagong bracketing sa personal income tax,” added Sen. Bam, vice chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means.

“Para naman sa mahihirap nating kababayan, hindi dapat ipataw ang mga bagong tax na magpapataas ng presyo ng bilihin, tulad ng excise tax on fuel, hangga’t hindi nasisigurado ng gobyerno na magiging maayos ang unconditional cash transfer program,” Sen. Bam stressed.

“Kailangan matiyak na mayroong makukuhang tulong kada buwan mula sa pamahalaan ang mga mahihirap na pamilya upang mabalanse ang pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin,” Sen. Bam said.

Sen. Bam assured that minority senators are working to ensure that the public will be able to bear the brunt of the proposed tax reform measure, especially with the expected rise in prices of basic commodities and other services.

“Sana mas maging aktibo ang taumbayan, na kung ayaw nating tumaas ang bilihin, dapat magsalita tayo. Dumulog tayo sa ating mga congressman at senador kasi masakit sa pamilyang Pilipino kapag nagkaroon ng pagtaas sa presyo ng bilihin,” added Sen. Bam.

In the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam has filed Senate Bill No. 697 that seeks to revise the current income tax bracket set by the National Internal Revenue Code, which was passed in 1997.

The measure seeks to amend Section 24 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, by adjusting the levels of net taxable income and simplifying the nominal tax rates for the purposes of computing the individual income tax. 

If enacted into law, Sen. Bam said the measure effectively lowers the taxes on the 22-million Filipino working class.

Sen. Bam on the President’s invitation to China Telco players

Natutuwa tayo sa pagkilala ng Pangulo na kailangan nating pagandahin ang ating sektor ng telekomunikasyon sa pamamagitan ng kumpetisyon, subalit hindi tayo dapat malimita sa isang bansa lamang.

 Kung ang maliit na bansa gaya ng Singapore ay mayroong anim na players sa telco sector, dapat maging ganito rin kasigla ang kumpetisyon sa ating bansa.

Habang isinusulong natin noon ang Philippine Competition Act, nakatagpo tayo ng interes mula sa mga kumpanyang galing Japan at Korea na gustong pumasok sa ating industriya ng telco.

 Kahit ang maliliit nating local cable operators ay nais magsamasama upang makipagkumpitensya sa malalaking Telcos.

 Gawin nating madali para sa mga kumpanyang ito na makapasok sa merkado at tanggalin na ang red tape upang mapaganda ang serbisyo ng internet at bumaba ang presyo nito para sa mga Pilipino.

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