TRAIN Law

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.

Sen. Bam: Unahin ang Pilipinong nalulunod sa taas presyo, suspindihin na ang TRAIN Law

Senator Bam Aquino asked the government to focus on the welfare of the Filipino people rather than think about revenue from the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. 

“Hindi kayang tumbasan ng kita ng gobyerno sa TRAIN ang hirap ng taumbayan na nalulunod sa taas presyo,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the government’s tax reform program. 

“Ang malala pa rito, huli na at kulang pa ang tulong ng gobyerno para sa mga mahihirap na sinasagasaan ng TRAIN Law,” added Sen. Bam, referring to the mitigating measures under the tax reform law like the Unconditional Cash Transfer Program and the Pantawid Pasada Program.

Sen. Bam made the pronouncement in reaction to the government’s claim that it stands to lose P102 billion in 2019 if Sen. Bam’s measure that aims to suspend excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law is enacted into law. 

Under Sen. Bam’s measure, the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law will be suspended and rolled back when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period. 

Sen. Bam also stated that the government has enough funds for its priority programs and projects as it has P390 billion in untouched budget in 2017. 

“Sapat ang pondo ng gobyerno, aabot pa nga sa P390 bilyon ang hindi nila nagamit noong nakaraang taon. Huwag naman natin pahirapan pa ang mga pamilyang sumasaklolo sa taas-presyo,” the senator urged. 

“Suportahan sana ng administrasyon ang pag-roll-back sa excise tax sa petrolyo at siguraduhing sususpindihin ang dagdag na buwis sa petrolyo sa 2019 dahil sa TRAIN,” Sen. Bam added.

Sen. Bam to gov’t: Madaliin na ang tulong para sa mga jeepney driver

Senator Bam Aquino urged the government to immediately release the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the Pantawid Pasada Program and ensure that the assistance will go directly to jeepney drivers. 

“Ang pagpapatupad ng Pantawid Pasada Program ang dapat madaliin ng gobyerno. Kailangan na ng mga drayber ng jeepn ang tulong kontra taas-presyo.,” said Sen. Bam, adding that the IRR should be released as soon as possible. 

“Sa IRR, dapat unahin ang kapakanan ng jeepney drivers na nalulunod na sa taas ng presyo ng krudo,” added Sen. Bam. 

The Pantawid Pasada Program gives jeepney operators and drivers a total of P5,000 for the last six months of 2018. This will mean an additional P833 per month or P27.7 per day. 

Earlier, Sen. Bam urged the government to review the program to ensure the amount given to jeepney drivers is enough to cover the increase in fuel prices and other needs due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. 

“Hindi pa sapat ang tulong ng Pantawid Pasada Program dahil wala pang isang litro ng diesel ang bigay nito sa ating mga jeepney driver. Kulang na nga, hindi pa nila ma-roll-out agad-agad,” said Sen. Bam. 

The senator also reiterated his call to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to expand the Pantawid Pasada Program to other modes of public transportations such as tricycles and UV express vehicles. 

“Kung tutulong na rin lang tayo, bakit hindi pa natin lubus-lubusin at isama ang mga nagmamaneho ng tricycle at UV Express,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law. 

Sen. Bam has been pushing for the suspension and rollback of the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law to help lower the prices of fuel and goods at the same time. 

Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to stop and rollback the excise tax on fuel when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period. 

“Suportahan sana ng administrasyong and pag-roll-back sa excise tax sa petrolyo at siguraduhing sususpindihin ang dagdag na buwis sa petrolyo sa 2019 dahil sa TRAIN,” stressed Sen. Bam. 

“Nalulunod na sa taas presyo ang mga drayber. Nababawasan na nga ang kita, tumataas pa ang presyo ng bilihin,” he added.

Sen. Bam: Food inflation up to 6.1%, suspend TRAIN now

Senator Bam Aquino warned that the continuing increase in the prices of goods will lead more Filipinos to hunger even as he renewed his call for the suspension of the government’s tax reform program.

Sen. Bam made this pronouncement as he noted that food inflation for June increased to 6.1 percent from 5.7 percent in May, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

“Lalong nalulunod sa taas-presyo ang taumbayan dahil sa totoo lang, mas nagmahal talaga ang pagkain nitong nakaraang buwan ayon sa sariling datos ng gobyerno,” said Sen. Bam, who has been consulting with families and communities on pressing issues, like rising prices.

“Sabi ng mga tindera ng isda na nakausap ko, matumal ang bili sa kanila kasi wala nang pera ang mga suki. Instant noodles at sardinas na lang ang mabili,” Sen. Bam added.

Sen. Bam said government data backs up the claim of many Filipinos that prices of goods and services have increased drastically since the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

 “Kung patuloy pong aakyat ang presyo ng pagkain, paano na kakain ng tatlong beses isang araw ang mahihirap nating kababayan?” added Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam said the government should act now and suspend the TRAIN Law so as to alleviate the plight of poor Filipinos, who are already burdened by the government’s tax reform program.

“Gutom po ang dulot nitong TRAIN sa mga mahirap nating kababayan kaya kailangan na talaga isuspinde ito agad,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam has been pushing for the suspension and rollback of the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law to help lower the prices of fuel and goods at the same time.

The senator has submitted a measure seeking to stop and rollback the excise tax on fuel when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Sen. Bam: Itodo na ang tulong sa transport sector

Senator Bam Aquino lamented the government’s insufficient and late support for the transport sector, saying the Pantawid Pasada Program should be reviewed if it’s enough to cover the increase in fuel prices and other needs of jeepney drivers. 

“Atrasado na nga ang tulong, kulang pa ang ibibigay ng gobyerno sa mga tsuper ng pampasaherong jeep,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the July implementation of the Pantawid Pasada Program, a mitigating measure under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

Under the Pantawid Pasada Program, a total of P5,000 will be given to jeepney drivers for the last six months of 2018. This will mean an additional P833 per month or P27.7 per day. 

“Kung kukuwentahin, wala pang isang litro ng diesel ang tulong na binibigay sa ating mga jeepney driver. Kulang na kulang ito sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam urged the government to ensure that the Pantawid Pasada Program is sufficient to cover the rise in fuel prices and allow jeepney drivers to use it for other needs, such as food.

The senator also reiterated his call to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to expand the Pantawid Pasada Program to other modes of public transportations such as tricycles and UV express.

“Kung tutulong na rin lang tayo, bakit hindi pa natin lubus-lubusin at isama ang mga nagmamaneho ng tricycle at UV Express,” suggested Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam has been pushing for the suspension and rollback of the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law to help lower the prices of fuel and goods at the same time.

Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to stop and rollback the excise tax on fuel when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

“Suportahan na rin sana ng administrasyong and pag-roll-back sa excise tax sa petrolyo at siguraduhing sususpindihin ang dagdag na buwis sa petrolyo sa 2019 dahil sa TRAIN,” stressed Sen. Bam.

“Nalulunod na sa taas presyo ang mga drayber. Nababawasan na nga ang kita, tumataas pa ang presyo ng bilihin,” he added.

Sen. Bam has been meeting with different transport organizations all over the country to get their stand on the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam: Drop in President’s approval signals cry for help from high prices, poverty

The 11-point drop in President Duterte’s approval rating is a cry for help from the Filipino people amid the rising prices of goods due to the government’s tax reform program, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Paalala po ito sa ating pangulo mula sa ating mga kababayan na nalulunod sa taas presyo na pakinggan ang kanilang hiling na ipreno na ang TRAIN,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

“Senyales ito na lalo nang nahihirapan sa buhay ang mga Pilipino. Bigyan natin sila ng kaunting ginhawa,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam made the pronouncement after Duterte’s net approval rating dropped by 11 points from a “very good” 56 percent to a personal-low 45 percent, according to the latest survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

Sen. Bam is hoping that President Duterte will tackle the issue of TRAIN Law and high prices of goods in his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Umaasa kami na pupunan ng pansin sa SONA ang isyu ng pagtaas ng presyo. Sana suportahan ng Pangulo ang pagroll-back sa excise tax sa petrolyo,” added Sen. Bam, referring to his measure that aims 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.

Sen. Bam: Pahirap ang TRAIN Law, hindi perpekto

How can you call a law perfect if it burdens the poor?

This was Sen. Bam Aquino’s reaction to Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno’s pronouncement that the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law is a perfect law.

“Paano magiging perpekto ang batas na sumasagasa sa mahihirap na Pilipino?” asked Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

“Konting malasakit naman po para sa mahihirap,” Sen. Bam stressed, adding that the government should not ignore the suffering of Filipinos, especially the poor, from high prices of goods.

“Huwag naman ninyong maliitin ang paghihirap ng mga kababayan nating nalulunod sa taas presyo,” said Sen. Bam.

“Tinitiyak ko po sa inyo totoong mabigat ang pinapasan ng taumbayan dahil sa taas presyo na dulot ng TRAIN,” the senator added.

Sen. Bam renewed his call to the President to listen to the cry of Filipinos, who are already burdened by the high prices of goods due to the government’s tax reform program.

“Sana lang marinig ng Pangulo ang hinaing ng mga pamilyang pilipinong nalulunod na sa taas presyo,” said Sen. Bam, adding that he expects the Chief Executive to address the issue during his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Earlier, Sen. Bam said the government should join hands with the legislative in finding ways to solve the problem to alleviate the plight of Filipinos.

As part of his effort to alleviate the suffering of the Filipinos, Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to suspend and roll back the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law 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.

Sen. Bam Aquino, lone opposition standing in winning circle

Senator Bam Aquino remained as the lone opposition in the winning circle for the 2019 senatorial elections, according to the latest survey by Pulse Asia.  

In the Pulse Asia survey conducted from June 15 to 21, 2018, participated in by 1,800 respondents, Sen. Bam was among the probable winners. 

“Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa patuloy na suporta ng mga Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam, “Pero kailangan pa nating patibayin ang boses ng oposisyon sa Senado.” 

“Mahalaga na mayroong handang tumutol at handang lumaban sa administrasyon tuwing may programa na sasagasa sa mahihirap na Pilipino,” Sen. Bam added, referring to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. 

As one of four senators who voted against its ratification, Sen. Bam has been aggressively pushing for the suspension and rollback of the excise tax under the TRAIN Law. 

Sen. Bam believes that suspending the excise tax under the TRAIN law can help ease the burden on Filipinos who are bearing the brunt of the increase in prices of goods and services due to the government’s tax reform program. 

 “Kailangan pa ng mga pinunong handang tumutol at handang magpatupad ng mga solusyon sa mga nagpapahirap sa taumbayan, tulad ng pagtaas ng presyo,” the senator added. 

 “Kapag mayroong programang makakatulong, all-out dapat ang suporta. Ngunit kapag hindi ito nakabubuti sa pamilyang Pilipino, handa rin dapat kumontra,” Sen. Bam asserted. 

Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to suspend and roll back the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law 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.

Sen. Bam: Tama na ang palusot sa taas-presyo, umaksyon para sa mahihirap na Pilipino

Senator Bam Aquino advised the government to squarely face the issues emanating from the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, such as high prices of goods, instead of being in a state of denial about it.

“Panahon na para tanggapin ng administrasyon na may malaki tayong problema, na nalulunod ang taumbayan sa taas presyo,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

While the government continues its inaction on the matter, Filipinos, especially the poor, continue to bear the brunt of the high prices of goods as they struggle to make ends meet.

“Sa bawat araw na nagdadaan, lumalala ang problema ng taas presyo na nagpapahirap sa pamilyang Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam.

“Hindi po nakakabawas ang mga palusot at paliwanag sa paghihirap ng mga kababayan natin,” he added.

Instead of evading the issue, Sen. Bam said the government should join hands with the legislative in finding ways to solve the problem to alleviate the plight of Filipinos.

“Harapin na po natin ang problema ng taas presyo, pagtulungan nating hanapan ng solusyon para gumaan ang buhay ng taumbayan,” said Sen. Bam, adding that the ideal way is to suspend the TRAIN Law immediately.

“Gawin po natin ito para sa mga kababayan nating pinapahirapan ng tumitinding taas presyo araw-araw,” Sen. Bam emphasized.

For his part, Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to suspend and roll back the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law 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.

Sen. Bam: Gov’t should be alarmed, protect poor from high inflation rate

Senator Bam Aquino contradicted government’s claim that the 5.2-percent inflation rate in June is not alarming, saying it should be concerned about the suffering of the Filipinos on the high prices of goods due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.   

“Dapat lang na mabahala ang gobyerno sa matinding taas presyo. Huwag natin ito maliitin dahil pinapahirapan nito ang ating mga kababayan,” said Sen. Bam, in reaction to Malacanang’s statement that the current inflation rate is not something to worry about

“Hanggang nalulunod sa taas presyo ang mga kababayan natin, hindi magiging epektibo ang mga programa kontra-kahirapan,” added Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam hopes that the President will address the issue of the TRAIN Law in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) and focus on anti-poverty measures to help ease the burden of Filipinos, especially the poor.

“Umaasa tayong pagtutuunan ng Pangulo sa kanyang pangalawang SONA ang pagsugpo sa kahirapan para tulungan ang ating mga kababayan na maitawid ang pangangailangan araw-araw at makaahon,” Sen. Bam pointed out.

“Para maging matagumpay ang pagsugpo sa kahirapan, kailangan magsimula sa pagsugpo ng taas presyo sa pamamagitan ng pagsuspinde sa TRAIN,” he added.

Sen. Bam has been pushing for the suspension of the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law as it could help lower prices of goods and services. 

The senator has submitted a bill seeking to suspend and roll back the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law once average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period. 

In addition, Sen. Bam 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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