Bam Aquino

Sen. Bam: Severe price increases with no cash transfer to poor families, grounds for TRAIN suspension

Senator Bam Aquino insisted that the excessive price increases, unprecedented inflation rate and government’s failure to deliver on the unconditional cash transfer program are sufficient grounds to suspend the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.
 
“Hirap na hirap na ang mga Pilipino sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin. Mula tatlo, ngayon dalawang beses kada araw na lang kumain ang ilang pamilya. Masasabi pa ba nating magtiis na lang sila?” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.
 
Sen. Bam was alluding to Socio-Economic Planning Sec. Ernesto Pernia’s pronouncement that Filipinos should just tighten their belts and live with the effects of the tax reform law.
 
“Ang malala rito, hindi pa nabibigay ng gobyerno ang pinangakong financial assistance ng TRAIN sa higit 6 million na pamilya. Sapat na dapat ito para isuspindi ang TRAIN law,” said Sen. Bam, who is pushing to suspend the TRAIN Law, particularly the excise tax on fuel.
 
Under Sen. Bam’s Senate Bill No. 1798, the excise tax on fuel under TRAIN will automatically be suspended when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.
 
Sen. Bam successfully included this safeguard during the TRAIN deliberations, but the provision was removed from the final draft of the law during the bicameral conference.
 
“Sagad na ang pagtitiis ng mga Pilipino sa pagtaas ng presyo. Gawin naman natin ang ating makakaya para bigyan sila ng kaunting ginhawa,” said Sen. Bam, adding that the targeted collections for excise tax on fuel in 2018 is only P70-billion, compared to government underspending last year amounting to P390 billion.
 
“Hindi lang TRAIN ang pinagkukunan ng budget. We can ‘Build, Build, Build’ and provide Filipinos free college tuition in SUCs even without collections from the excise tax on fuel,” Sen. Bam asserted.

Sen. Bam strengthens call to suspend TRAIN amid cries for fare increase

A senator stressed the need to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the government’s tax reform program, saying the transport sector is already crying out for support amid the increase in fuel prices.

“Para sa mga driver, operator at pasahero, i-ipreno na ang TRAIN para mapagaan naman ang kanilang sitwasyon,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, referring to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

“Ibalik na ang mekanismo para masuspindi ang excise tax dahil sa inflation upang mabawasan na ang pasanin ng parehong driver, operators at mga commuter,” added Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam made the pronouncement after several jeepney operators filed a petition asking for a P2 fare increase and the possible surge pricing during rush hours due to the recent increase in prices of petroleum products.

Sen. Bam submitted Senate Bill No. 1798, seeking to stop the collection of excise tax on fuel under TRAIN once the inflation rate breaches “target range.”

In Sen. Bam’s measure, the collection of excise tax will be suspended once the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Sen. Bam introduced that specific provision during the TRAIN’s deliberation and was approved by fellow senators. However, the provision was not included in the bicameral conference committee and the approved version of the measure.

“Bigyan naman natin ng kaunting ginhawa ang ating mga kababayan sa pagtaas ng presyo ng petrolyo at iba pang mga bilihin,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam Aquino on Senate resolution against SC’s quo warranto decision

The Supreme Court violated the Constitution with their decision to grant the Quo Warranto petition of the administration which unlawfully ousted Chief Justice Sereno.  
 
Nilagay nila sa peligro ang demokrasya at karapatan ng mamamayan.    
 
Hinahamon ngayon ang Senado na manindigan para sa taumbayan at demokrasya. Ang resolusyong ito ay pagtanggap sa hamon.  
 
We now call on the public to support the Senate in restoring the checks and balances in government, enforcing the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution.

Sen. Bam: PH start-up bill is passed by Senate

A measure that seeks to empower and encourage Filipino innovators and entrepreneurs to build better solutions for the nation was approved by the Senate on third and final reading, according to its principal author and sponsor Sen. Bam Aquino.

Via an overwhelming 18-0 vote, Senate Bill No. 1532 or the Innovative Startup Act was approved by the Senate, bringing it closer to becoming a law.

“This is great news for our innovators and entrepreneurs! We’re one step closer to giving them the support they deserve,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

“It isn’t easy building a successful start-up, specially in the Philippines. Still, they find ways to bring better solutions to problems in transportation, healthcare, agriculture, and other industries. Tama lang na tulungan sila ng gobyerno,” added Sen. Bam, a former social entrepreneur.

If enacted into law, the measure will provide support to innovative and tech startups, which pertain to businesses that provide unique and relevant solutions to pressing problems, such as transportation, financing, agriculture and healthcare.

“Our country has a number of promising start-ups and we need to provide them with the environment where they can grow and succeed, just like what their counterparts in other countries like United States and Israel are enjoying,” said Sen. Bam.

If enacted into law, innovative startups will enjoy benefits such as tax breaks and grants and other forms of assistance, including a faster process for business registration.

Innovative start-ups could also avail of technical assistance and training programs, use of equipment, facilities and support for patenting or licensing of their product through the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.

The measure also includes a P10 billion Innovative Startup Venture Fund that entrepreneurs can apply for.

Sen. Bam is an advocate of start-up, micro, small and medium enterprise (SMSME) development. During the 16th Congress, he passed the Go Negosyo Act, the Youth Entrepreneurship Act and other laws to empower local businesses.

Sen. Bam: Abolishing PCGG endorses corruption, historical revisionism

If the government is serious in eradicating corruption, it should work to strengthen the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), rather than move to abolish it, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Kung talagang determinado ang gobyerno na labanan ang katiwalian, bakit nais nitong buwagin ang PCGG na siyang naghahabol sa nakaw na yaman ng pamilya Marcos,” said Sen. Bam, alluding to the move of the House of Representatives to abolish the PCGG.

“Sa halip na buwagin, mas magandang palakasin pa ang PCGG dahil marami pang pera at marami pang bank accounts ang hindi pa naibabalik sa mga Pilipino,” added Sen. Bam.

The senator said the unrecovered money from the Marcoses, amounting to billions of dollars, could be put to good use and for the benefits of the Filipino people.

Sen. Bam also questioned the move to abolish the PCGG, saying it could be a part of a ploy to revise history about the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses.

“This will institutionalize historical revisionism. Pilit na binabago ang kasaysayan sa pagkilos na ito,” said Sen. Bam, adding that the measure has no counterpart measure in the Senate.

In its 30 years of existence, the PCGG has succeeded in recovering $3.6 billion or P170 billion pesos of the estimated $10 billion of Marcos ill-gotten wealth. 

The recovered funds have been used to support the government’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and reparation of Martial Law victims.

Sen. Bam on Senate’s stand against SC’s quo warranto

We appeal to the Senate to stand together and call out the Supreme Court for violating the rule of law and denying the Filipino people their right to hear the truth through a public impeachment trial.
 
A resolution is making the rounds in the Senate to categorically oppose the SC’s unconstitutional quo warranto decision.
 
This abuse of power threatens every Filipino and now we senators must make a stand and fulfill our mandate to uphold checks and balances, whatever our political color.
 
Together with the public, we must dissent this abuse to our rights and our sacred Constitution.
 
And we must now be fiercely vigilant and discerning of every decision made by the SC. They should know that the Filipino people are watching.

Sen. Bam Aquino is lone opposition, dissenting vote in Magic 12

As the lone opposition member within the top 12 in recent senatorial surveys, Senator Bam Aquino underscored the need for a dissenting voice amid contentious reforms and controversies hounding the Duterte administration. 

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa taumbayan at naisama ako sa top 12. Kailangan ng mga senador na handang tumutol sa mga programa ng administrasyon na hindi makatutulong sa pamilyang Pilipino. Mahalaga na balanse ang Senado,” said Sen. Bam, who was the only re-electionist senator who opposed the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. 

“We must strengthen the independence of the Senate by electing officials who are not afraid to oppose the administration and join the minority, especially now that the Supreme Court has shown its blatant bias. Kailangan ng mga senador na maninindigan para sa taumbayan, para sa demokrasya,” Sen. Bam added. 

Sen. Bam placed 11th in the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted last April 7 to 11 with respondents of 1,200. In the latest Pulse Asia senatorial survey conducted from March 23 to 28, he was also the lone opposition who made it to the top 12, landing in a tie for 10th place. 

Sen. Bam was one of four senators, and the only re-electionist senator, who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, due to the expected price increases and negative impact on poor Filipino families. 

Recently, Sen. Bam submitted 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.” 

In Sen. Bam’s 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.  

“Kailangan na muna nating i-preno ang TRAIN dahil marami na itong nasasagasaan na mahihirap na Pilipino sa dala nitong pagtaas sa presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam Aquino votes in Concepcion, Tarlac barangay elections

Sen. Bam Aquino, along with his wife Timi, proudly exercised their right to vote in this year’s barangay elections in Concepcion, Tarlac.

 Sen. Bam, who opposed any further postponements to the barangay and SK elections, encouraged Filipinos to participate in our democracy by voting.

“Bumoto tayo at lumahok sa eleksiyon. Mahalaga ito sa kasalukuyang panahon na kailangang marinig ang ating mga boses,” said Sen. Bam, who is the lone opposition member within the top 12 in recent senatorial surveys.

 “Huwag nating sayangin ang ating pagkakataong bumoto. Piliin natin ang mga lider na totoong magsisilbi at magbabantay sa karapatan at kapakanan ng mga Pilipino,” Sen. Bam said.

Sen. Bam on CJ Sereno’s removal

Talo na naman ang taumbayan.

Ano pa ang laban ng karaniwang Pilipino kung ang Chief Justice ay kayang tanggalin nang basta-basta at hindi batay sa tamang proseso?

Patuloy akong naninindigan na ang tamang proseso sa pagtanggal ng isang impeachable official ay sa pamamagitan ng impeachment court sa Senado.

Binalewala ang prosesong nakasaad sa Saligang Batas.

Natanggalan ang publiko ng karapatang malaman ang totoo at suriin ang kaso.

Tila ang may kapangyarihan na lang ang magdidikta ng hustisya. Talo na naman ang mga Pilipinong walang kalaban-laban.

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.
Scroll to top