Bam Aquino

Senate Bill No. 679: Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other S & T Personnel in the Philippines

We find science and technology embedded in every branch of modern life, driving progress and innovation. It is in the best interest of the country and its people to foster our local talent in the field of Science and Technology (S&T) to drive development in the Philippines and improve the lives of millions of Filipinos.

In 2010, only 2.3% of our 31’million workforce were classified under S&T professionals1. In the two-decade assessment of science and technology human resources in our country, a two fold increase in the number of S&T professionals from 1990 to 2010 was coupled with an almost three fold increase in S&T professionals that work overseas2.

In government, the reports2 on the exodus of S&T professionals from agencies like PAGASA, PHILVOLCS, and ASTI has attracted public interest in the past years and motives for their migration were revealed, including uncompetitive local compensation and protracted processing of hazard pay.

In line with these findings, this measure aims to:

1. Remove set limits on additional salary of honoraria for S&T professionals; and
2. Foster ease in accessing benefits for S&T personnel in departments and agencies other than DOST.

It is high time we deliberately retain and empower our Filipino scientists, engineers, researchers, and other science and technology practitioners so we may harness the benefits of S&T to further our national agenda.

Regulations inimical to this interest must be addressed immediately.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

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Senate Bill No. 698: Reducing the Corporate Income Tax Rate

We are working towards a vision of the private sector where bustling local enterprises coexist, cooperate, and collaborate with foreign companies, all contributing to a fair, innovative, and socially conscious Philippine business environment.

Over the past years, macroeconomic factors suggest that we are on the right track with our stellar economic growth, much improved credit ratings, and the highest capital investment of US$8.74 billion from inward FDI in the last six years with over 58,000 associated jobs created in 2015.

However, there is still a lot we can do to attract and retain foreign investors to stimulate even more economic growth and achieve prosperity for more Filipinos. Furthermore, we must seize the opportunity to be a leader in the ASEAN as we harmonize our economies as a region.

It is imperative that we evaluate our corporate tax system. At present, we have the highest corporate income tax rate in the ASEAN at 30%. When the ASEAN Economic Community Declaration was signed, most members began to lower their own corporate income tax rates. Thailand gradually reduced its corporate income tax rate from 30% to 23%, and now it stands at 20%. Vietnam also lowered its corporate income tax rate from 25% to 20%. The average corporate income tax rate in the ASEAN is at 23%.

For the Philippines to attract more investors and to lure in more capital, we must be able to compete with our peers. Though this may result in a lower revenue collection for the government, the multiplier effect of having more investment, expanding our tax base and increasing economic activities will be tremendous.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.


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Senate Bill No. 702: Permanent Residency for Qualified Religious Workers Act

Foreign religious workers and missionaries have played an important role not only in the faith life of Filipino communities, but also in promoting the welfare of the poor through outreach work and social missions. They have sacrificed and left the comfort of their homes to live away from their families without expecting or asking for anything in return. They have chosen not just to share their talents and skills but also intend to live the rest of their lives and die serving the Filipino people. We are honored to have their experiences one with the people whose life we welcome in our country.

This bill seeks to amend Commonwealth Act No. 613, otherwise known as the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940. It is our intent to relieve foreign religious workers of the burdensome requirements and procedures for staying in the country and performing their chosen vocation here that benefits our communities. This bill seeks to assist the many religious workers who have already dedicated long years of their lives to their missionary work and vocation in the country.

This measure is also part of the proposed reforms to update our antiquated immigration law to better address the changing needs and demands of the Philippines, as a member of an increasingly globalized and interconnected international community.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

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Senate Bill No. 715: Solo Parents’ Welfare Act

Raising children and nurturing a healthy family is a major challenge to parents and takes a great deal of time, effort, patience, and learning. For solo parents, the challenge is even more daunting.

To make the situation worse, the financial burden as breadwinner adds to the stress and pressure of solo parents. As such, this measure seeks to amend Republic Act No. 8972 or the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000 to add benefits for solo parents, increase penalties for non-compliance, and enhance the effectiveness of the law’s implementation.

Through these amendments, solo parents will be awarded a 10% discount on clothing for their child and a 15% discount on baby’s milk and food up to two years from childbirth.

A 15% discount from medicine and medical supply purchases until 5 years from childbirth as well as a 10% discount from tuition fees will also be awarded.

Lastly, a personal tax exemption of Php50,000 can be claimed by single parents, allowing them to take home a larger portion of their income to invest in their family’s future.

Let us give them the support they need to provide a bright future for families of solo parents.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of thjs bill is earnestly sought.

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Senate Bill No. 697: Adjusting the Level of Net Taxable Income and Nominal Tax Rates

As the Philippines pushes for inclusive growth, it is imperative that the government create the necessary mechanisms to enable the vast majority of Filipinos to feel the fruits of this growth. At present, efforts are underway to promote ease of business, generate jobs, support the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and address rising unemployment and underemployment.

In spite of all these, Filipinos are still feeling the pinch of high taxes and rising prices. The Consumer Price Index shows that a basket of goods worth PhplOO in 1997 is already worth Php228 in 2015, doubling in a space of 18 years since the tax brackets were last adjusted. While the private sector has a role in responding to the needs of its employees, many enterprises also struggle with ensuring fair and equal pay for their workers while keeping their own businesses afloat.

Thus, the government has to play the delicate balancing act between the growing demands of its labor force and the limitations of the private sector. One solution is to review and reform the current tax system in a way that reflects current prices, and enables a more equitable distribution of wealth for its citizens.

The measure, therefore, 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. This Act effectively lowers the taxes on the Filipino working class — which comprises around 22 million of the Philippine population — allowing them to enjoy a higher net income and increasing their purchasing power, without necessarily imposing a burden on the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The collections from this Act also adjusts the tax level of the upper one percent (1%) of taxpayers, making sure that the government is able to collect a larger share of income from those who can afford to pay more. A more just tax system will also serve to encourage citizens to declare their true income and pay their taxes.

In effect, this measure serves as one of the important reforms to create a more equitable, just, and effective tax regime for Filipino taxpayers. It supports the government’s push for inclusive growth while ensuring that government is still able to raise funds for social programs that directly benefit the poor. It is a systemic, win-win solution that offers the greatest benefit to the greatest number of Filipinos. 

In view of this foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 

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Senate Bill No. 713: LPG Industry Regulation and Safety Act

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) stoves are recognized in other countries to provide a cleaner, safer, more efficient means of cooking. In India, for example, LPG use is promoted and even subsidized by the government.1

Our closer neighbor, Malaysia has doubled its per capita LPG consumption from 2000 to 2012 while Thailand and Indonesia have tripled their consumption in order to move into cleaner cooking fuel.2

Conversely, LPG consumption in the Philippines has simmered in the past 10 years, with demand remaining at an average of 1.1 metric tons yearly from 2009 to 2013. Moreover, the Bureau of Fire Protection reported 800 fires related to LPGs from 2005 to 2013.

We must light a fire under our local LPG sector and ensure sector players comply with safety standards while motivating them to progress as an industry.

This measure seeks to establish a regulatory framework for the importation, refining, refilling, transportation, distribution and marketing of LPG, and the manufacture, requalification, exchange, and swapping or improvement of LPG cylinders.

It shall establish the LPG Monitoring and Enforcement Task Force to create standards of conduct and codes of practice for LPG businesses to provide Filipino consumers high quality LPG for their personal and commercial use.

Let us push our local LPG industry to keep up with the modern standards of LPG manufacturing and protect our local consumers against faulty products and careless services. 

In view of this foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 

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Senate Bill No. 709: Electric, Hybrid and Other Alternative Fuel Vehicles Promotions Act

In a country that ranks among the world’s Top 10 most vulnerable countries to climage change1, it is important to mainstream programs that mitigate climate change risks while incentivizing climate change adaptation among the private sector, communities, and individuals.

The use of electric, hybrid, and other alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) among individuals and organizations presents such an opportunity. At present, the Department of Energy (DOE) aims to put 100,000 electric tricycles on the road by 2017, while the Electric Vehicles Association of the Philippines (EVAP) hopes to mainstream 1 million electric vehicles by 2020.

In a study released by international consulting firm Grant Thornton in 2012, “Asia is

currently the largest market for hybirds/electrics (56%).”2 Further: “The trend toward

alternative fuels is visible in global sales of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and battery

electric vehicles (BEVs), projected to reach 5.4 million vehicles by 2021 (more than 6% of the

automotive market), up from 810,000 vehicles in 2010 (approximately 2% of market share).”3

The same report states that, “Around a quarter of global companies (24%) have introduced or are considering vehicles that run on alternative fuels for their businesses… Companies in the ASEAN region (31%) were most likely to use or consider alternative-fuel vehicles.”4

Among the top reasons cited for ASEAN users to consider switching to AFVs are the following: the “price of oil” (88%); “saving the planet” (88%), “cost management” (81%), and “tax relief” (77%).

The study summarizes its findings this way: Rising oil prices and increasing awareness of the environmental impact of traditional fuels make alternative-fuel vehicles attractive to owners of commercial/business fleets. Government incentives and regulations are also pushing executives to explore alternative fuels. Indeed, many countries and states/provinces already offer significant incentives for buying or converting to alternative -fuel vehicles; in some regions regulations will eventually force the use of alternative fuels.”

This representation proposes stronger policy support in order to promote adoption of an drive consumer demand for electric, hybrid, and other alternative fuel vehicles. In this regard, this Act provides non-fiscal incentives to drive consumer demand, including the following:

a. Priority in registration and issuance of plate number;
b. Priority in franchise application;
c. Exemption from Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or Number-Coding Scheme; and
d. Provision for free parking spaces in new establishments.

It is recognized that while the costs of electric and hybrid vehicles are higher compared to those of regular vehicles, these non-fiscal incentives will make the acquisition and conversion of vehicles more attractive to consumers and manufacturers alike.

As the world braces itself for stronger impacts of climate change while adapting to swift changes in technology, it is imperative that Filipinos are not left behind in the waves of change. Early adaptation to and promotion of AFVs will help the country mitigate the risks associated with climate change, while opening up potential investment and job opportunities that will ultimately benefit more Filipinos.

In view of the foregoing, the passage and enactment of this bill is earnestly sought.

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Senate Bill No. 349: Inclusive Business Promotion Act

In the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC Summit held in the Manila, we had the first ever high-level discussion on Inclusive Business, which promoted the idea of companies taking part in development, not just through philanthropy but also through their products and supply chains.

Under this inclusive business umbrella are social enterprises as well as large corporations that utilize their products, services, or even their supply chains to help poor communities create a sustainable industry and become financially successful.

This concept of business taking part in nation-building and social development is finally catching on and all over the world, allies in the fight against poverty have found an effective weapon – conscientious entrepreneurship – to beat poverty and create prosperity.

There is no better time than now to establish policies in support of this movement.

“Inclusive Business (IB),” as defined in this measure, refers to “a business approach that provides decent work and economic opportunities or relevant and affordable goods or services for poor and low income and/or marginalized sectors of society by making them part of the organization’s core operations as producers, consumers, workers, owners or business partners, directly contributing to improved living standards, poverty reduction and systemic inclusion in a manner that is sustainable, in scale or scalable, and replicable.”

The Inclusive Business Bill provides for the establishment of a national strategy for the promotion of Inclusive Businesses to be implemented by a new office, the Inclusive Business Center. The bill also provides policies for IB accreditation, and providing support and incentives for IBs and their community partners, including social enterprises.

A key strategy for providing sustainable livelihood and reducing poverty, especially in the countryside, is by integrating poor communities as suppliers of goods and/or services in the value chain of large businesses.

Inclusive Business companies can serve to link poor communities to more viable markets, enhancing economic opportunities and sources of income, and enabling them level up from subsistence livelihood.

Let us enjoin the private sector to take part in the creating shared prosperity in our nation.

In view of the foregoing, that passage of this bill is earnestly sought.  

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Senate Bill No. 176: Poverty Through Social Entrepreneurship (PRESENT) Act

This measure provides the framework for the planning and implementation of a National Poverty Reduction Through Social Entrepreneurship (the “PRESENT”) Program. The PRESENT Bill provides a nurturing environment for the growth and burgeoning of strong and innovative Social Enterprises as tools to reduce poverty.

A “Social Enterprise” or “SE” as defined in the proposed bill, refers to a social mission- driven organization that conducts economic activities providing goods and/or services directly related to its primary mission of improving the well-being of the poor, basic and marginalized sectors and their living environment. A social enterprise explicitly declares and pursues poverty reduction as its principal objective by purposefully rendering both transactional and transformational services. An SE engages and invests in the poor to become effective workers, suppliers, clients and/or owners and ensures that a substantive part of the wealth created by the enterprise is distributed to or benefits them.

In addition to reinvesting its surplus or profits back to the enterprise to sustain the fulfillment of its social mission, a SE also uses its surplus or profits and mobilizes other resources to assist the poor to become partners in SE or value chain management and governance and to become partners in community, sectoral and societal transformation.

This is in line with Article XII, Section 1 of the Philippine Constitution which states:

Section 1. The goals of the national economy are a more eqilitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth; a sustained increase in the amount of goods and services produced by the nation for the benefit of the people; and an expanding productivity as the key to raising the quality of lifefor all, especially the under-privileged.

The challenge for Social Enterprises is how to become an effective poverty reduction tool. In the face of this challenge, government must play a supportive role to ensure that the appropriate systems, structures, and resources needed to support Social Enterprises are put in place. Government must help these new breed of entrepreneurs to acquire resources, build successful organizations, and achieve significant positive impact. 

A nation’s economy is not stagnant – a new social investment models, ways of doing business, and impact measurement tools continually arise. These changes at times distort and blur the once clear boundaries among the traditional nonprofit, for-profit, and public sectors. It is time that a Social Enterprise be officially recognized and defined in order for the government to be able to give it adequate support. 

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bills is earnestly sought.

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Senate Bill No. 1532: Innovative Startup Act

At the 2015 APEC Summit, the world saw a glimpse of Philippine innovation as Aisa Mijeno shared the story of her SALt Lamp, a lamp that is powered by saltwater, suitable for households along the rural coastal villages that have little or no stable access to electricity.

It is vital that we give all such ideas the chance to come to life. Through this bill, Filipinos with excellent startup business ideas will benefit by being given the necessary support—in terms of registration, incentives, subsidies, funding, technical assistance, accreditation and assessment, and a budding pool of talented workers that will aid them in the steep uphill one faces when putting up a business.

This bill aims to put in place the ecosystem necessary to cultivate startups in the Philippines.

By supporting the startup ecosystem from focal points, we ensure that startups have a reasonable chance at success and are given the opportunity to impact society with innovative business and products that can truly help us achieve our imperative of inclusive economic growth. 

By creating the ecosystem for startups to operate, we bring more citizens into the fold of inventive and socially conscious entrepreneurship.

In view of the foregoing, the passing of this bill is urgently sought. 

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