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.