Bam Aquino on Train Law

Sen. Bam to gov’t: Use your power to limit price increases, ease Filipinos’ burden

While there are many elements contributing to the increase in prices of goods and services, Sen. Bam Aquino stressed the need to focus on factors under the government’s control, like the excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

 

“Maaaring kontrolin ang TRAIN at pagpataw ng buwis sa petrolyo. Bigyan natin ng kaunting ginhawa ang mga pamilya, isuspindi natin ang excise tax,” said Sen. Bam, referring to his measure to stop the collection of excise tax on fuel under TRAIN once the inflation rate breaches “target range.”

 

Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 1798, the excise tax on fuel under TRAIN will be suspended when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period. 

 

During the TRAIN’s deliberation, Sen. Bam introduced an amendment to include a safeguard where the implementation of TRAIN Law will be stopped once inflation rate breaches the “target range.”

 

Fellow senators approved Sen. Bam’s amendment but the provision was not included in the bicameral conference committee and the approved version of the measure.

 

“Kailagang aminin na nahihirapan na ang mga Pilipino sa pagtaas ng presyo. Gawin naman natin ang ating makakaya upang tulungan ang mga pamilya,” added Sen. Bam.

 

Sen. Bam expects his colleagues to support his measure since many of them approved it during the deliberation of the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam: Poor Filipinos are collateral damage of TRAIN and Build-Build-Build

Senator Bam Aquino urged the government to put the welfare of poor Filipinos first, instead of letting them become collateral damage of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

”Hindi puwedeng collateral damage ang ating mga kababayan sa hangarin na magkaroon ng maraming tulay at kalsada sa bansa. Habang mahalaga ang infrastructure projects, huwag nating hayaang magdusa ang mahihirap na kababayan natin,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Act.

Sen. Bam was reacting to Department of Finance’s claim that funds for free college education and salary hike of uniformed personnel will be affected if the TRAIN Act is suspended.

The senator said the government should balance statistics with the welfare of Filipino families carrying the burden of high prices of goods and services due to the TRAIN Law.

“Ang problema, kapag puro numero ang tinitingnan, nakakalimutan ang mamamayan. Pakinggan naman natin ang hinaing ng mga nasasagasaan ang TRAIN Law,” said Sen. Bam, also the principal sponsor of the free college law in the Senate.

“Napakatindi na ng pag-aray ng ating mga kababayan sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin,” he added.

Sen. Bam said the DOF’s pronouncement was baseless since the government has an unobligated appropriations amounting to P390 billion in the 2017 national budget.

“Malinaw na may pera ang pamahalaan kaya maling sabihin na hindi mapopondohan ang libreng kolehiyo. Huwag ipagkait sa mga estudyante ang libreng kolehiyo,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam recently filed a measure seeking to suspend the TRAIN Law, particularly the excise tax on fuel, once inflation rate breaches the prescribed “target range.”

In Sen. Bam’s Senate Bill No. 1798, the excise tax on fuel under TRAIN will be suspended when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

During the TRAIN’s deliberation, senators approved Sen. Bam’s amendment to include a safeguard where the implementation of TRAIN Law will be stopped once inflation rate breaches the “target range.”

However, the provision was not included in the bicameral conference committee and the approved version of the measure.

Sen. Bam to govt: Care for poor families, support TRAIN suspension

Senator Bam Aquino called on the government to prioritize poor Filipinos and support the suspension of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act, particularly the excise tax on fuel. 
 
Sen. Bam made this pronouncement as he filed Senate Bill No. 1798 that seeks to amend the controversial tax reform program that will suspend the collection of excise tax on fuel once inflation rate breaches the prescribed “target range.” 
 
“We must protect Filipinos from the rising prices of goods and services,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the TRAIN law’s ratification. 
 
“Milyon-milyon ang mga pamilyang nababalisa tuwing tumataas ang presyo ng bilihin tulad ng bigas, sardinas, kuryente at pamasahe,” said Sen. Bam, adding that the government needs to play an active role in managing inflation and ensure that our countrymen can survive the rise in prices. 
 
“Kakaunti na lang ang nabibili ng pera ng pamilyang Pilipino dahil sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin na dulot ng TRAIN,” added Sen. Bam. 
 
In his measure, the excise tax on fuel under TRAIN will be suspended when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period. 
 
“It is our responsibility to be flexible and responsive when the weight of inflation becomes too heavy for the poor Filipino families to bear,” said Sen. Bam. 
 
During the TRAIN’s deliberation, senators approved Sen. Bam’s amendment to include a safeguard where the implementation of TRAIN Law will be stopped once inflation rate breaches the “target range.” 
 
However, the provision was not included in the bicameral conference committee and the approved version of the measure.

Sen. Bam to hit the brakes on TRAIN Law

Senator Bam Aquino will file a measure that will restore his earlier proposal to stop the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law once the inflation rate breaches “target range.”

“Importanteng may mga safeguards ang TRAIN para mai-preno ang pagpataw buwis kapag sumobra ang pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam during the hearing of the Committee on Economic Affairs on TRAIN Law. 

“We pushed for these safeguards even before the TRAIN Law was passed, but they were disregarded. Siguro ngayong nakikita nilang nahihirapan na ang taumbayan, susuportahan na nila ang amyenda kong ito,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law. 

During the TRAIN deliberations, the Senate approved Sen. Bam’s amendment to include a safeguard where the implementation of TRAIN Law will be stopped once it breached the “target range.” 

However, Sen. Bam said the provision was not included in the bicameral conference committee and the approved version of the measure. 

“Kung hindi inalis ang safeguard na ito, napatigil na sana natin ang TRAIN Law ngayong napakataas na ng presyo ng mga bilihin,” said Sen. Bam. 

Earlier, Sen. Bam warned the country’s economic managers, led by the Department of Finance (DOF), that will country’s inflation rate will surpass the four-percent mark due to the TRAIN Law. 

“Noon pa tayo nagbabala sa pamahalaan na ang mahihirap ang masasagasaan ng TRAIN, kaya tayo kumontra sa pagpasa nito. Kailangan nating banggain ang mga repormang lalong nagpapahirap sa taumbayan,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam to push for TRAIN suspension to ease price crisis

After months of calling for a review on the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN), Senator Bam Aquino expects tomorrow’s Senate probe on TRAIN and inflation to produce tangible results, even look into the suspension of excise taxes.

“Sa aking pag-iikot sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa, umaalma na ang taumbayan sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin. Napakatindi ng epekto ng TRAIN sa presyo ng bilihin na nagpapahirap sa ating mga kababayan,” said Sen. Bam, one of the four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN law.

“We owe it to the Filipino people, especially the poor, to ensure that TRAIN is not making lives more difficult. We must look for immediate solutions, like the suspension of excise taxes,” Sen. Bam added.

Sen. Bam was referring to the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Act, which imposes P7 and P2.50 additional levy on gasoline and diesel, respectively.

“Umaalma na ang taumbayan sa presyo ng bilihin. Baka panahon nang ipasuspinde ang excise tax para mabawasan ang pasanin ng mga Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam.

As early as January, Sen. Bam filed Senate Resolution No. 597, urging the appropriate Senate committee to scrutinize the implementation of the unconditional cash transfer to ensure that it is sufficient to cover the increase in prices of goods and other services.

More recently, Sen. Bam also filed Senate Resolution No. 704, urging the appropriate Senate Committees to conduct an inquiry on the TRAIN’s inflationary impact and effect on the economy, particularly the P7 and P2.50 excise tax increase on gasoline and diesel, respectively.

The Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, headed by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, will conduct the hearing on the effects of TRAIN on the prices of goods and services and in the inflation rate, which reached a five-year high in April at 4.5 percent.

Sen. Bam to gov’t: Protect Filipinos from killer combo of rising prices and unemployment

Senator Bam Aquino called the increase in prices of goods and the rising unemployment a killer combo that needs to be addressed immediately.

“Huwag natin i-knockout ang pamilyang Pilipino sa combo na pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin at kawalan ng trabaho,” said Sen. Bam, one of only four senators who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act.

A recent Pulse Asia survey indicated that 98 percent of respondents claimed the prices of basic goods they usually purchase have increased due to the tax reform law, and around 86 percent said they were strongly affected by the prices increases.

In addition, a latest survey by SWS showed that the number of unemployment Filipinos rose to 10.9 million, the highest since 2016.

“Hindi na biro ang epekto ng TRAIN sa mga Pilipino, kaya tayo tumutol dito. Ngayon na mas malala pa pala ang kinalabasan nito, dapat lang na pag-aralan at solusyunan ang matinding pagtaas ng presyo,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam said he will present stories of Filipinos affected by the TRAIN Act from the series of community dialogues that he conducted in different parts of the country when the Senate conducts a hearing on the tax reform program on May 9 (Wednesday).

“Mahalagang mailabas natin ang bigat na ibinibigay ng TRAIN upang ito’y marepaso at nang maibsan ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam also urged Congress not to move forward with TRAIN 2, as it may exacerbate the problem of unemployment by removing incentives for certain businesses.

 Sen. Bam has filed Proposed Senate (PS) Resolution No. 704, calling for a review of the TRAIN Act, claiming it greatly contributes to the increase in prices of goods and services that burdens Filipinos, mostly the poor.

Sen. Bam: Working Filipinos should be supported, not burdened further

In commemoration of Labor Day, Senator Bam Aquino called on the government to prioritize the welfare of Filipino workers and protect their livelihood through sound policies and actions.

 “Dapat isipin ng pamahalaan sa bawat desisyon at reporma ang kapakanan ng mga Pilipinong nagtatrabaho tulad ng mga magsasaka, mangingisda at OFWs. Subalit sila ngayon ang binibigo ng administrasyon,” said Sen. Bam, one of four who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act.

Sen. Bam insisted that the recent tax reform packages proposed by the government only burden the working class with increasing prices of goods and potential loss of livelihood.

 The administration’s push to enact the second tax reform package, which will remove incentives for companies, could lead to loss of jobs for many Filipinos.

“Nagdurusa na nga ang marami nating mga kababayan sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin sa unang bugso ng tax reform ng gobyerno, ngayon naman aalisan natin sila ng ikabubuhay,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the TRAIN Act.

Sen. Bam has filed Senate Resolution No. 704, calling for a review of the TRAIN Law, claiming it greatly contributes to the increase in prices of goods and services that burdens Filipinos, especially ordinary workers.

Sen. Bam also submitted Senate Resolution No. 597, urging the appropriate Senate committee to scrutinize the implementation of the unconditional cash transfer to ensure that it is sufficient to cover the increase in prices of goods and other services.

 In addition, Sen. Bam pointed out that the government’s decision to remove restriction on rice importation could be detrimental to the work of Filipino farmers, who rely heavily on their harvest for their livelihood.

“Posibleng makasama pa sa ating mga magsasaka ang ura-uradang desisyon ng deregulasyon ng rice imports. Hindi quota ang problema natin kundi ang kakayahan nga NFA na gawin ang kanilang trabaho,” said Sen. Bam.

 In the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam has filed several measures that focus on the welfare of Filipino workers, includingg overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), freelancers and reservists.

Sen. Bam to admin: Listen to Filipino people, review TRAIN law

Senator Bam Aquino urged the government to listen to the Filipino people in light of the latest Pulse Asia survey showing pay hikes and increase in prices as major concerns of the public.

 “Pakinggan natin ang hinaing ng mga Pilipinong nabibigatan sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin at hindi sapat na kita,” said Sen. Bam, who has visited a number of local communities to hear out their concerns on the rising prices of goods.

The survey conducted by Pulse Asia from March 23 to 28 showed that 50 percent of the respondents mentioned salary increase as the most urgent issue while 45 percent pointed to inflation.

“Sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, sapat ba ang 200 pesos per month na cash transfer ng gobyerno? Panahon na para suriin ang totoong epekto ng TRAIN law at siguraduhing hindi pinapahirap ng gobyerno ang buhay ng mga Pilipino,” Sen. Bam stressed.

 With this development, Sen. Bam reiterated his call to review Republic Act No. 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act as it contributes to the increase in prices of goods and services that burdens Filipinos, especially the poor.

Recently, Sen. Bam filed Senate Resolution No. 704, urging the appropriate Senate Committees to conduct an inquiry on the TRAIN’s inflationary impact and effect on the economy, particularly the P7 and P2.50 excise tax increase on gasoline and diesel, respectively.

Sen. Bam also filed Senate Resolution No. 597, urging the appropriate Senate committee to scrutinize the implementation of the unconditional cash transfer to ensure that it is sufficient to cover the increase in prices of goods and other services.

In his resolution, Sen. Bam said the Department of Finance assured lawmakers that TRAIN’s impact on inflation would not be more than 0.7 percent.

However, latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the country’s inflation rate for March hit 4.3 percent.

Sen. Bam calls for review of TRAIN amid inflation, rising prices

A senator insisted on evaluating the government tax reform program as he expressed alarm over the latest inflation projections on top of the rising prices of petroleum products and rice in the market.

“Nakakaalarma na para sa mga pamilya ang pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin. Ngayon, mas mataas pa sa inaasahan ng pamahalaan ang inflation rate,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, referring to several projections that the inflation rate might range from 4.2 percent to 4.8 percent due to higher excise tax. 

 The latest projections were beyond the government’s forecast of between two to four percent, according to Sen. Bam.

“We should evaluate the tax reform law and consider suspending excise taxes given the surge in prices,” added Sen. Bam, who plans to file a resolution to assess the real impact on inflation and economy of the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

 “Congress should determine the real and actual impact of TRAIN on the economy and especially on the lives of Filipinos,” said Sen. Bam, adding that the sharp rise in inflation could lead to a higher cost of living and can aggravate poverty. 

 “The continued implementation of TRAIN could lead to greater marginalization and suffering for many Filipino families,” Sen. Bam emphasized.

During the Senate hearings on TRAIN, Sen. Bam said the Department of Finance (DOF) insisted that the tax reform program’s inflationary impact would not be higher than 0.7 percent, meaning inflation should not go higher than 3.6 percent in 2018.

“We have to review the implementation of excise taxes as it was passed by Congress based on wrong information,” said Sen. Bam. 

Earlier, Sen. Bam voted to reject the TRAIN Law during its ratification. 

Sen. Bam also filed Senate Resolution No. 597, urging the appropriate Senate committee to scrutinize the implementation of the unconditional cash transfer to ensure that it is sufficient to cover the increase in prices of goods and other services.

Sen. Bam repeats call for immediate financial assistance for Filipinos amid rapid rise in prices

Alarmed by the rapid increase in prices of goods and services due to the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, Sen. Bam Aquino renewed his push for the immediate implementation of financial assistance to poor Filipinos. 

“This is the reason I keep pushing for the immediate implementation of financial assistance. Alam na namin ang kahihinatnan ng tax reform ng nagbotohan, kaya ako kumontra sa TRAIN,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam’s pronouncement came after the country’s inflation rate reached four percent, the highest in four years, due to the effects of the TRAIN Law. 

Republic Act No. 10963 mandates financial assistance to 10 million poor Filipinos to counter the expected increase in prices of goods. In 2018, they will receive P200 monthly followed by a P300 monthly cash subsidy in 2019 and 2010.   

 During the measure’s period of amendments in the Senate, Sen. Bam pushed for the immediate implementation of the financial assistance program to help poor Filipinos absorb the expected increase in the prices of goods and services. However, Sen. Bam’s proposal was not accepted.  

 “The government is failing the Filipino people, especially the impoverished. We must implement a sufficient financial assistance program immediately to cushion the blow of TRAIN and the price increases,” Sen. Bam said.   

 Recently, Sen. Bam filed Senate Resolution No. 597, urging the appropriate Senate committee to scrutinize the implementation of the unconditional cash transfer to ensure that it is sufficient to cover the increase in prices of goods and other services. 

 Sen. Bam is also calling on the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) to check if household incomes are enough to absorb these rising costs. 

“Gusto rin natin alamin kung sapat na ang 200 pesos kada buwan na cash transfer, lalo na ngayong tumataas na rin ang presyo ng kuryente at bigas,” said Sen. Bam.   

Sen. Bam is the former chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship and passed several measures to provide livelihood by supporting small, local businesses in the country. He is also the principal sponsor of the free college law passed last year.  

Sen. Bam voted no to the ratification of the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

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