Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion

Sen. Bam: Independent Senate to safeguard welfare of Filipino people

Sen. Bam Aquino warned against a rubber-stamp Senate, stressing that an independent Upper Chamber will ensure that the welfare and interest of the Filipino people are protected.
 
“Hindi ito kampihan sa administrasyon o oposisyon. Dapat kinakampihan natin ang mga Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam, who is running for re-election under the Otso Diretso banner.
 
“Kailangan po nating tiyakin independent ang susunod na Senado para sa kapakanan ng taumbayan,” added Sen. Bam.
 
Sen. Bam underscored the importance of an opposition in the Senate, saying the country and the Filipino people will suffer if the Upper Chamber will simply give in to every desire of the administration.
 
“Hindi po makakabuti sa bansa kung ang lahat ng nasa Senado ay susunod na lang lagi sa gusto ng administrasyon. Kailangan na may titindig para sa interes ng taumbayan,” Sen. Bam said.
 
In the case of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, Sen. Bam said he voted against its ratification despite the heavy pressure coming from the administration as he is convinced that it will burden the Filipino people with high prices of food and other goods.
 
“Hindi po ako tumutol sa TRAIN Law dahil nasa oposisyon tayo. Tumutol po ako dahil responsibilidad ko na bantayan ang kapakanan ng taumbayan na siyang pahihirapan ng batas na ito,” said Sen. Bam.
 
However, Sen. Bam clarified that he’s willing to work with the administration when the welfare of the Filipino people is at the forefront.
 
Proof of this is the free college law, which Sen. Bam pushed as principal sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress.
 
“Ganyan po ang ginawa natin kaya naisabatas ang Free College Law. Dahil sa pakikipagtulungan, kahit kapos makakatapos,” said Sen. Bam, who has 35 laws to his name in almost six years as legislator.

Sen. Bam: Inflation rate still high, shelve plan to implement excise tax on fuel in 2019

The government should reconsider its decision to implement the excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law for 2019 as inflation rate remains far from its original target, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Walang basehan itong pagbawi ng pangako ng gobyerno dahil mas mataas pa rin ang inflation sa sarili nilang target,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the November inflation rate of 6.0 percent, which remains far from the government’s inflation rate target of 2-4 percent range.

“Ibig sabihin, nasa gitna pa rin tayo ng krisis ng taas presyo kaya mali ang desisyong patungan ng excise tax ang produktong petrolyo sa susunod na taon,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam said the government should have based the suspension of excise tax on fuel on inflation rate and not on world crude prices, which he is pushing in his Bawas Presyo sa Petrolyo Bill that he filed in May 2018.

“Matagal na nating ihinain ang Bawas Presyo sa Petrolyo Bill na nagsisikap na baguhin at ayusin ang mga problemadong probisyon ng TRAIN. Ito na lang sana ang binigyan ng pansin ng economic managers, imbis na ulitin ang mga pagkakamali ng TRAIN Law,” said Sen. Bam.

Earlier, Sen. Bam lamented the decision of economic managers to implement the excise tax on fuel for 2019, days after recommending its suspension.

“Nakakapagod ang mga urong-sulong na pangako, lalo na para sa mga Pilipinong nalulunod sa taas-presyo,” said Sen. Bam.

“Pinakinggan sana ang taumbayan at hindi na gatungan ng buwis sa petrolyo ng TRAIN Law, habang alam naman ng lahat na ang pag-akyat nito ang dahilan sa mataas na presyo sa merkado,” he added.

Sen. Bam thanks government for fuel tax suspension, appeals for complete repeal of TRAIN Law tax on petroleum

Sen. Bam Aquino lauded the government for listening to the people’s plea and suspending the excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, saying this could lead to its eventual removal.
 
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Presidente at sa kanyang economic managers sa pag-aksyon sa isyu na matagal nang daing ng mga pamilyang nahihirapan sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.
 
“Ito’y tagumpay ng mga Pilipinong matagal nang humihiling ng tulong sa matinding pagtaas ng presyo,” added Sen. Bam, who has been calling for the suspension and roll-back of TRAIN Law’s tax on fuel since May this year.
 
Sen. Bam made the reaction after Budget Sec. Ben Diokno announced that the government will suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law in 2019.
 
Sen. Bam hopes that the government’s move is an indication of its willingness to eventually remove the all of the excise tax on fuel under its tax reform program, which could lead to lower prices of food and other goods.
 
“Mahalaga po itong suspension ng dagdag-buwis sa Enero, pero mahalaga rin tanggalin ang buwis na nakapataw na sa ngayon. Kailangan pa ring tugunan ang problema ng mga kababayan nating nalulunod sa mahal na presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam.
 
Despite this development, Sen. Bam is determined to push for the passage of his Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo sa Petrolyo Bill, which he filed last May.
 
The measure attempts to change and fix the TRAIN Law by ensuring the suspension and rollback of fuel tax once the country’s inflation rate is too high.

Sen. Bam urges Congress to work together on Bawas Presyo Bill as inflation remains high

With inflation unchanged and still beyond the projected target range, Sen. Bam Aquino stressed that government must work together to help Filipinos still suffering from high prices of food and other goods.

“Mataas pa rin ang presyo at umaaray pa din and mga pamilyang Pilipino. Bigyan natin sila ng kahit kaunting ginhawa ngayong Pasko,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

“Magtulungan na tayo upang suspindihin at i-rollback ang buwis sa petrolyo. Ipasa na natin sa Kongreso ang Bawas Presyo Bill at ayusin ang TRAIN Law,” added Sen. Bam who filed Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo sa Petrolyo Bill last May.

Sen. Bam renewed his call to the government to support his measure, which he believes could help lower prices of petroleum products and the prices of goods in the market.

“Pinagtulungan na natin noon ang batas na libreng kolehiyo. Ngayon, itong Bawas Presyo Bill naman sana ang Christmas gift natin sa ating mga kababayan,” urged Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam’s Senate Bill 1798 is the only measure in the Senate that seeks to amend the TRAIN Law. If passed, it will add a safeguard to ensure the suspension in the collection of excise tax on fuel once inflation rate surpasses the government’s inflation target for three consecutive months.

The senator said that reducing the cost of petroleum products would not only affect fare prices but would also have an indirect effect on the prices of food and other goods in the market.

Also, Sen. Bam added that removing the excise tax on petroleum would translate to additional P87 per day income for public utility drivers (PUV), which they can use to purchase two kilos of rice for their family.

Sen. Bam: Admin, opposition should plot together to suspend excise tax on gasoline

Sen. Bam Aquino emphasized that the government and the opposition should plot together to suspend the excise tax on gasoline and address the high prices of food and other products. 

“Instead of pointing fingers, let’s work together to suspend the additional tax on fuel scheduled for January 2019,” said Sen. Bam in reaction to Malacanang’s repeated claims that members of the LP are plotting to oust President Duterte. 

Instead of focusing on silencing the opposition, Sen. Bam insisted that the government should immediately address the problems at hand, such as high prices of food and rice and lack of job opportunities. 

“Hindi makakatulong sa mga Pilipino ang away at gulo. Magtulungan na lang tayo para arestuhin ang taas-presyo. Simulan natin sa pagsuspindi ng dagdag buwis sa petrolyo,” said Sen. Bam. 

Earlier, Sen. Bam called on the government to suspend the additional P2 excise tax on petroleum products in January 2019 if prices of oil in the global market remain at $80 per barrel in the next three months, as directed by a safeguard in the TRAIN Law. 

Sen. Bam is also pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill, which will suspend the collection of excise tax on fuel once inflation rate breaches the annual inflation target over a three-month period. 

Sen. Bam has passed a total of 27 laws, 10 as a member of the opposition. He helped the administration pass the landmark law making college education free in public universities and colleges. He is the principal sponsor of R.A. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

Sen. Bam: Tutukan sana ng Pangulo ang bagyo at krisis sa presyo, suspindihin ang excise tax sa Enero

Sen. Bam Aquino called on President Duterte to directly address issues that affect the Filipino people, like high prices of goods, and not use politics to divert the public’s attention.

“Tutukan sana ng Pangulo ang tunay na isyu, taas-presyo at bagyo, imbis na ang pulitika. Krisis sa bigas at pagkain at itong parating na Bagyong Ompong ang mga totoong banta sa pamilyang Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam, referring to Duterte’s address to the nation this afternoon.

“Hindi makakatulong ang pamumulitika sa problema ng ating mga kababayan,” Sen. Bam pointed out, adding that the government should find ways to alleviate the plight of the Filipinos, especially the poor, amid the continuous increase in prices of goods and petroleum products.

 “Tama na, sobra na ang pahirap sa ating mga kababayan. Solusyunan na ang taas presyo at protektahan ang mga Pilipino sa gutom, bagyo at iba pang peligro,” said Sen. Bam.

Instead of politicking, Sen. Bam said Duterte must inspire government officials and the opposition to work together in finding solutions to pressing problems, such as high inflation rate and high prices of goods.

 “Magkaisa na lang sana tayo sa paghanap at pagganap ng mga solusyon, na matagal nang hiling ng taumbayan,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam has filed Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill, which aims to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

“Sana suspindihin ng Pangulo mamaya ang excise tax sa Enero. It’s possible,” said Sen. Bam.

According to Sen. Bam, the immediate passage of the law will also stop the scheduled P2 additional excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law in January 2019.

Sen. Bam says economic managers are in denial on price crisis, need real-talk with poor Filipinos

Sen. Bam Aquino slammed the government’s pronouncement that the 6.4 percent inflation rate in August “is not alarming” and “quite normal in a fast growing economy.” 

The senator also insisted that economic managers talk to regular Filipinos living in poverty so they can gain a broader perspective on the effect of the high prices of goods. 

  “Hinding-hindi po normal na nalulunod na sa pagtaas ng presyo ang mga mahihirap,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. 

“Kung lumabas po kayo ng opisina at makipag-usap sa mga kababayan natin sa mga komunidad, sa mga palengke, hindi niyo na maitatanggi na malaking problema itong taas presyo,” added Sen. Bam, who regularly consults with farmers, fishermen, tricycle and jeepney drivers, and market vendors to hear their views on the TRAIN Law and other important issues. 

In a recent trip to Tanauan, Batangas, Francisco Reyes, a tricycle driver, told Sen. Bam that the high price of gasoline has affected his daily income so much that he could not provide enough food and clothing for his family.  

  “Para mabawi namin ang gastos sa gasolina, dapat lima ang sakay namin bawat biyahe. Pero dahil apat lang ang kasya sa tricycle, lugi na agad ang pasada namin,” said Reyes. 

A vegetable vendor and senior citizen in Zamboanga also recently shared that even in her old age, she works everyday just to provide for her children and grandchildren and yet, with the sharp rise in prices, she has to borrow money to get by. 

 “Sa tanda kong ito, umuutang pa rin ako. Kahit ayaw na ng katawan ko, babangon at babangon pa rin ako para tulungan ang pamilya,” said Aling Diding Sada.

Instead of pointing fingers and debating on the matter, Sen. Bam said economic managers should squarely face the problems and look for practical solutions to address the problem. 

 Sen. Bam has filed Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill, which aims to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period. 

 Sen. Bam stressed the need to immediately enact the measure into law since there is a scheduled P2 additional excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law in January 2019. 

”Huwag niyo nang paabutin ng Pasko ang paghihirap ng sambayanang Pilipino. Ipasa na natin ang Bawas Presyo Bill sa lalong madaling panahon,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam to Malacañang: Prioritize, Certify Urgent the Bawas Presyo Bill

TANAUAN, Batangas — Representatives from different sectors here aired their grievance over the high prices of goods as they pushed for the immediate passage of Sen. Bam Aquino’s Bawas Presyo Bill into law. 

“Hindi man ito prayoridad ng gobyerno, certified urgent ito ng mga mahihirap na Pilipinong nalulunod na sa taas-presyo,” Sen. Bam said during the “Kumustahang Bayan” held at the Trading Post in Tanauan, Batangas. 

“Sana marinig ng pamahalaan ang hinaing ng ating mga kababayan at samahan tayo sa pagsusulong upang maisabatas na ang ating panukala, lalo na’t magtataas na naman ang excise tax sa petrolyo sa Enero dahil sa TRAIN Law,” added Sen. Bam 

During the dialogue, representatives from the farmers, senior citizens, tricycle drivers, market vendors, and fisherfolk sectors informed Sen. Bam how the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law has affected their livelihood. 

“Mataas ang kuha namin ng gulay, ngunit hindi namin ito puwedeng ibenta nang masyadong mahal dahil wala nang bibili sa amin,” said Lucile Mangaya, a vegetable vendor. 

“Marami na ang natitira sa aming paninda. Natutuyo at nabubulok na lang ang mga ito,” she added. 

Francisco Reyes, a tricycle driver, said the high price of gasoline has affected his daily income that prevented him from providing enough food and clothing for his family. 

“Para mabawi namin ang gastos sa gasolina, dapat lima ang sakay namin bawat biyahe. Pero dahil apat lang ang kasya sa tricycle, lugi na agad ang pasada namin,” said Reyes. 

Nick Chavez, president of the senior citizens’ organization in Tanauan, said they have yet to receive the additional P200 monthly financial assistance under the TRAIN Law. 

“Likas na matiisin ang mga Batangueño, kahit sa pagtaas ng presyo. Pero iba na talaga ang pagtaas ng presyo ngayon, hindi na po namin kaya,” said Chavez 

The representatives urged Sen. Bam to do everything he can to have his Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill enacted into law to ease the burden caused by high prices of goods. 

“Kailangang-kailangan nang maisabatas ang panukala ni Sen. Bam dahil hirap na hirap na po kami sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin,” said Marissa Gatdula, president of the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI). 

Sen. Bam, for his part, has committed to work for the passage of his measure, which aims to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period. 

If passed, the Bawas Presyo Bill will roll-back this year’s increase in the excise tax on petroleum and will suspend another scheduled increase in January 1, 2019. 

Sen. Bam is one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam: Sack and replace NFA Admin, first step to solve rice crisis

While Bawas Presyo Bill can help reduce price of rice, Sen. Bam Aquino insisted that the root cause of the rice crisis is gross mismanagement of the National Food Authority (NFA). 

“Makakatulong ang Bawas Presyo Bill sa pagpapababa ng presyo ng bilihin, pati ang bigas ngunit ang puno’t dulo ng krisis sa bigas ay ang kapalpakan ng NFA. Dapat nang palitan ng Pangulo ang namumuno sa kapalpakan na si NFA administrator,” said Sen. Bam, who recently filed Senate Resolution 868 with Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan to investigate the rice crisis in Zamboanga City. 

“Kung hindi tatanggalin sa puwesto si Jason Aquino, sana tamaan siya ng hiya at magbitiw na lang para umayos na ang takbo ng NFA at mabawasan ang nagugutom na pamilya sa bansa,” emphasized Sen. Bam, adding that the rice crisis will not be solved if the NFA administrator remains in his post. 

Sen. Bam slammed the NFA’s failure to provide poor Filipinos with enough supply of affordable rice despite the importation of around 500,000 metric tons of rice. 

“Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin maramdaman ang epekto ng ibinibida ng NFA na magkakaroon ng sapat na supply ng murang bigas sa merkado,” said Sen. Bam. 

Also, Sen. Bam said the NFA has yet to fulfil its promise that importation will lower the price of commercial rice in the market, stressing that the price of rice has increased for the eighth straight month, per a report by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). 

“Kung hindi nila magawa ang kanilang tungkulin, wala silang karapatang manatili pa sa puwesto ng kahit isang segundo,” said Sen. Bam, who recently filed Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill as means to lower the prices of goods in the market. 

Sen. Bam’s measure seeks to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Sen. Bam: Admin, opposition should come together for Bawas Presyo Bill

Amid a fresh round of increase in fuel prices, Sen. Bam Aquino renewed his push for the passage of his measure to stop the excise tax on oil products under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

Sen. Bam insisted that the suspension and rollback of the excise tax on fuel would help alleviate the continuing rise in fuel prices and lower the prices of goods and services.

“Narito ang solusyon, aksyunan na natin. Kailangan magtulungan ang oposisyon at administrasyon para pababain ang presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

The senator filed Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill, which seeks to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Sen. Bam said there is a pressing need to enact his measure into law as there is a scheduled second round of increase in excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law in January 2019.

Sen. Bam said the woes on high prices of goods and services will continue if the government continues to ignore the plea of the Filipino people, especially the poor.

“Nalulunod na nga sa taas presyo ang mga mahihirap nating kababayan, ito na naman ang panibagong pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo,” said Sen. Bam.

“Huwag maging manhid sa paulit-ulit na daing ng mahihirap na pamilya. Hindi po masosolusyanan ang problemang ito kung hindi tayo magtutulungan,” the senator added.

Also, Sen. Bam renewed his call for the government to fully roll out the social mitigating measures under the TRAIN Law, including the unconditional cash transfer (UCT) program for poor Filipino families and the Pantawid Pasada Program, which aims to help jeepney operators and drivers cope with the increase in oil prices.

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