Bam Aquino

Senate Bill 1798: Automatic Suspension of the Excise Tax on Fuel Under RA 10963 (TRAIN Law)

Philippine laws must protect, serve and empower the Filipino people.

One major threat we need to protect our countrymen from is inflation – rising prices of goods and services that put a strain on the average Filipino’s daily struggle.

By the end of  2017, over 10 million Filipino families still considered themselves poor. That is 10 million households struggling to provide food and shelter, striving to earn education and desperately searching  to find sufficient livelihood.

Higit sa sampung milyong pamilya ang nababalisa tuwing tumtaas ang presyo ng bilihin tulad ng bigas, sardinas, kuryente at pamasahe.

More than just tightening their budget, these families will have to scramble for higher pay, for odd jobs and ‘sidelines’, and even micro-loans just to cover basic household expenses.

With so many Filipinos living in the fringes, the government needs to play an active role in managing inflation and ensure that our countrymen can survive the rising prices.

As such, this measure seeks to protect underprivileged Filipino families from increasing fuel prices, and its effect on the prices of goods and services, by suspending the excise tax on fuel under TRAIN when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target range over a three-month period.

Should the average inflation rate stabilize and fall below the annual target for three consecutive months, then the Department of Finance (DOF) will have the prerogative to lift the suspension and re-impose the excise tax on fuel based on its rate at the time of suspension.

While we have little control over global fuel prices, the imposition of excise taxes in our hands.

It is our responsibility to be flexible and responsive when the weight of inflation becomes too heavy for the poor Filipino families to bear.

Progress cannot be built at the expense of hungry Filipinos with little opportunity to improve their day-to-day lives.

Our challenge is to strike a balance between our macroeconomic goals and providing relief and support to Filipinos with the least in our society; and with open minds, open hearts, creativity and innovation, I believe we can find that delicate balance and create a prosperous future for all.

 

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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: Stop recycling of corrupt officials

The President is sending mixed messages again, this time on the issue of corruption. 
 
May malinaw na double standard sa patuloy na pag recycle sa mga opisyal na nasasangkot sa anomalya gaya nina Nicanor Faeldon, Jason Aquino at iba pa. 
 
Kung seryoso tayo sa pagpapatupad ng mga hangarin laban sa korapsyon, hindi na ibabalik ang mga opisyal na nasangkot sa korupsyon at kakasuhan ang mga ito.

Sen. Bam to hear updates on ‘Nakaw Load’ fixes

Telecommunications companies are expected to present an update on their respective solutions when Senator Bam Aquino resumes the probe into consumer complaints about disappearance of prepaid loads or the so-called “nakaw load” on Monday (April 23).

“We identified specific solutions during the first hearing so that prepaid consumers no longer encounter dubious load deductions,” said Sen. Bam, who is spearheading the investigation as chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

“Mahigit isang buwan na mula noon kaya inaasahan nating naipatupad na ang mga solusyong ito,” Sen. Bam added.

During the committee’s initial hearing on March 5, Sen. Bam insisted that telecommunication companies must be transparent by issuing notifications to their subscribers when load is credited or deducted to their account

“Mahalagang agad na malaman ng subscribers kung may nadadagdag o nababawas na load sa kanilang account sa pamamagitan ng abiso mula sa telco,” said Sen. Bam.

Through notifications, subscribers will be able to monitor their load spending and will allow them to immediately cancel services they do not wish to avail.

Sen. Bam also called on telcos to implement an audit of all their value-added service (VAS) subscription, to protect consumers against unwarranted deductions from their prepaid load.

A telco also committed to implement a system refresh that will opt-out all of their subscribers to all VAS subscriptions and impose a stricter procedure when availing of these extra services.

The committee will resume its investigation on Monday (April 23), 10 a.m. at the Recto Room of the Senate of the Philippines.

The hearing was called by Sen. Bam through Senate Resolution No. 595, directing the committee to determine the capacity and readiness of relevant government agencies and regulators to implement rules that will protect prepaid mobile subscribers.

Sen. Bam to BIR: Ensure zero harassment of small businesses in intensified inspections

While he welcomes the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s move to intensify inspection of businesses, Sen. Bam Aquino said the agency must ensure that this action will not be a tool for harassment and corruption.

“We laud the BIR’s effort to go after tax evaders, but the agency should also guarantee that they will target large businesses and not harass our micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Walang kalaban-laban ang mga maliliit na negosyo kung sila ay gipitin,” said Sen. Bam.

“Lalo na ngayong tumataas ang presyo ng bilihin, inaasahan ng mga pamilya ang kanilang maliit na negosyo, tulad ng sari-sari store at carenderia. Tiyakin dapat ng BIR na hindi papahirapan ng mga inspectors ang mga kababayan nating nasa laylayan,” added Sen. Bam.

Earlier, Sen. Bam pushed for the exemption of micro enterprises earning less than P250,000 annually from paying the required percentage taxes, on top of their income tax exemption, under the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) Act.

“Malaki ang naitutulong ng mga maliliit na negosyo at sideline sa mga mahihirap nating pamilya at komunidad. Dapat lang na suportahan sila ng gobyerno,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam is a former social entrepreneur and long-time advocate for MSME development.

His first law, Republic Act 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act, has established more than 800 Negosyo Centers around the Philippines to help Filipinos put up and manage successful businesses.

Sen. Bam also filed Senate Bill No. 169 or the Small Business Tax Reform Act, which seeks to provide small businesses with a lower income tax rate, VAT exemption and simplified filing of taxes.

Under the measure, all small businesses shall be exempt from payment of income tax for the first three years of its operation from date of establishment and will be subjected to lower income tax rates thereafter.

“This bill also proposes the lowering of the income tax rate for MSEs and an exemption from VAT, among other methods to help our small businesses grow,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam lone opposition in top 12

Senator Bam Aquino stood firm as the only member of the opposition within the top 12 of the senatorial race in the Pulse Asia survey conducted from March 23 to 28 – a sign the Filipino people still acknowledge the need for dissenting voices.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa tiwala ng taumbayan, sa karangalang maisama sa listahan ng posibleng manalo bilang Senador sa 2019,” said Sen. Bam, whose first term in the Senate ends in 2019.

“Umaasa tayo na madagdagan pa ang kababayan nating pipili ng mga tao na handang tumayo laban sa maling polisiya ng pamahalaan,” the senator added, emphasizing that the country also needs a dissenting voice that will stand up for the people.

 “Sa kasalukuyan, marami nang Pilipino ang nawalan ng boses at hindi na kayang ipaglaban ang kanilang paninindigan. Naririto ang oposisyon para maging tinig at tagapagtanggol nila,” Sen. Bam pointed out.

Sen. Bam underscored the need for an opposition coalition that is willing to stand and oppose government policies detrimental to the welfare of the Filipino people.

 “Kailangan natin ng isang oposisyon na handang tumayo, kahit alam nating hindi ito popular sa kasalukuyan, upang ipaglaban ang karapatan ng taumbayan at protektahan ang demokrasya,” stressed Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam said the Liberal Party (LP) will join a coalition slate, which will be made up of people willing to speak out and stand up against Malacanang’s policies that may be damaging to the people.

 

Sen. Bam to join ‘The Resistance’, genuine opposition slate

Senator Bam Aquino insisted that he will join a genuine opposition slate for the 2019 midterm elections, saying the country needs a coalition that is willing to dissent and oppose government policies that are not helpful or even detrimental to the Filipino people.
 
In a television interview, Sen. Bam clarified that he has never spoken to Sen. Koko Pimentel about PDP-Laban or Mayor Sara Duterte about Hugpong ng Pagbabago. 
 
“In 2019, hindi lang ‘The Force’ kailangan, we need ‘The Resistance’ – a genuine opposition slate. Kailangan ng mga taong magsasama-sama, magtutulong-tulong para labanan ang polisiya ng administrasyon na nakakasakit sa tao. You will find me on that slate,” said Sen. Bam.
 
“You need a slate that’s independent from PDP-Laban, that’s willing to oppose, willing to stand up even if it’s unpopular, and even when it’s dangerous. Kailangan natin ng oposisyon para sa ating demokrasya,” the senator added.
 
Sen. Bam said the Liberal Party (LP) will join the coalition slate, which will be made up of people willing to speak out and stand up against Malacanang’s policies that may be damaging to the people.
 
“The people willing to answer the call should join forces,” Sen. Bam pointed out.
 
Sen. Bam also stressed the importance for the 2019 elections to push through to show the true sentiment of the people.
 
“Let’s fight any no-election scenario that might be in the works,” Sen. Bam said.
 
However, Sen. Bam said it’s too early to talk about politics, saying the country is facing problems that need to be addressed immediately.
 
“Mas maraming isyu na dapat pag-usapan ngayon kaysa sa pulitika at eleksiyon, na isang taon pa bago mangyari,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam to gov’t: Protect 1.4M BPO jobs from impending threats

A senator reminded relevant government agencies to protect the 1.4 million jobs in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector from identified threats and prepare for the next Senate hearing.

“Our resource speakers have identified 3 major threats to jobs in the BPO sector: Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), the tax reform law and the shifting economic policies of other countries. We must prepare for these threats and not be caught flat-footed,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, who recently held a second hearing on threats to the BPO sector as the chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

“Hindi maaaring mawalan ng kabuhayan ang Pilipino, lalo na sa panahon ngayon,” he added.

During the first Senate hearing on the threat of AI, the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) mentioned that they are anticipating a decline in demand for low-skilled jobs in the IT-BPO industry of about 43,000 jobs by 2022.

On the bright side, there is potential to open up 388,000 jobs for mid-skilled tasks, and 309,000 jobs for high-skilled tasks also by 2022, jobs that Sen. Bam hopes the Filipino workforce can be ready for.

“The clear solution is to retrain our workers and upgrade their skills to be viable for higher job levels. Our training centers and academic institutions must start offering courses for these higher-skilled BPO jobs. Kailangan din na mayroong scholarships at TESDA vouchers,” said Sen. Bam, who also pushed the free college law as principal sponsor in the Senate.

However, Sen. Bam says the government agencies are not working quick enough.

“I want to see urgency in our agencies to move this forward quickly and with purpose. This is the first time in years that the BPO industry will be at risk. We need to protect our countrymen’s jobs,” said Sen. Bam.

 

Sen. Bam: Balik-Scientist Act one signature away from becoming law, to boost country’s R&D

Senator Bam Aquino expects the country’s research and development to get a much-needed boost, now that the Balik-Scientist Act is one signature away from becoming a law.

“This is our way of supporting the field of research, science and technology in the country, which has been undervalued for too long. We hope the President can sign this into law and show his support and appreciation for Filipino scientists,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

The Senate and House both ratified the bicameral conference committee version, which will now be transmitted to Malacanang for President Duterte’s signature.

Once it becomes a law, Sen. Bam said it will help address the country’s lack of scientists. As of last tally, the country has 189 scientists per million, a far cry from the ideal ratio of 380 scientists per million.

Sen. Bam pointed out that the Philippines falls 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.

 “With the Balik-Scientist Act, we expect Filipino scientists to return to the Philippines and help strengthen our research and development,” said Sen. Bam, the principal sponsor of the measure in the Senate.

If enacted into law, the Balik Scientist Act will 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.

Sen. Bam is also the principal sponsor and co-author of the Amendments to the Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, and Researchers bill and the Innovative Start-up Act, which is currently being tackled in the plenary.

Sen. Bam has passed 19 laws in over 4 years as a senator.

Sen. Bam: Vote Barangay, SK leaders who will protect you

With the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections slated to push through as scheduled, Sen. Bam Aquino urged voters to choose the right leaders who will lead and protect their communities.

“Tuloy na tuloy na ang barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan elections,” Sen. Bam said in a radio interview, despite the passage of a House measure calling for the postponement of the village polls on third and final reading.

“Walang ipapasa na postponement sa Senado. Wala nang makapipigil pa sa halalan sa Mayo 14,” stressed Sen. Bam, adding that the people should be given a chance to choose their next community leaders.

At the same time, the senator called on the public to choose their next leaders wisely, saying they should elect morally upright candidates and not those who are involved in illegal activities.

“Piliin natin ang mga pinunong lalaban para sa komunidad, malinis, tapat at walang kinalaman sa anumang krimen,” said Sen. Bam. “Piliin natin ang pinuno na sisiguraduhing ligtas ang ating mga komunidad sa mga krimen at pang aabuso ng mga nasa kapangyarihan.”

The upcoming village polls will mark the first implementation of Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act, the first law in the country that has an anti-political dynasty provision.

“Pagkakataon rin ito para makita natin kung epektibo ang SK Reform Act at kung makatutugon ito sa pangangailangan ng kabataan,” said Sen. Bam, who pushed for its passage as co-author and co-sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.

The law adjusts the age limit for SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

The SK Reform Act also requires SK officials to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

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