Sen. Bam on the SONA: Let it be about how to help the poor, not Cha-Cha or drugs
A senator said President Duterte should make his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) about addressing the plight of poor Filipinos burdened by high prices of goods due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.
“Sana pag-usapan ang mga solusyon sa pagtaas presyo sa SONA ng Pangulo. Suspindihin na itong excise tax sa petrolyo para mabigyan ng ginhawa ang mga pamilyang nalulunod sa gastos,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the government’s tax reform program.
“Mula sa puso daw ang SONA ngayon. Sana mula sa isang pusong may malasakit sa mahihirap na Pilipinong nasasagasaan ng mga programa ng gobyerno,” added Sen. Bam.
Earlier, Sen. Bam said that the 11-point drop in President Duterte’s net approval rating is a cry for help from Filipinos, who are suffering due to the government’s tax reform program.
“Ang pagbaba ng rating ng Pangulo ay paghingi ng saklolo ng taumbayan sa matinding pabigat ng TRAIN Law at taas-presyo,” said Sen. Bam.
Sen. Bam is hoping that President Duterte will support his measure seeking to suspend and roll back the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law.
Under Sen. Bam’s measure, the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law will be suspended and rolled back 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.
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