TRAIN Law

Sen. Bam: Don’t hold free tuition hostage to justify TRAIN Law

Don’t hold free college education hostage, government can afford free tuition even without the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

This was Sen. Bam Aquino’s reaction to the government’s statement that the free college education will be affected once the TRAIN Law is suspended.

“May iba namang pagkukunan ang gobyerno ng budget. Sa totoo lang malaki pa ang hindi nagagamit na pondo,” said Sen. Bam, one of the four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

“Bakit kailangan i-hostage ang libreng kolehiyo? Tama na ang pagpapahirap sa taumbayan na nalulunod na sa pagtaas ng presyo,” added Sen. Bam who is principal sponsor of the Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

Sen. Bam insisted that the government has enough funds for the continued implementation of the free college education, even without the P70 billion expected revenue from the rollback of the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam also reminded the administration that underspending, or the allotted funds that were left untouched by government agencies, reached P390 billion for 2017. The budget for free college education was set at P41 billion for 2018.

“Mahalaga na alam ng pangulo ang totoong numero. Mahirap nang magdesisyon kapag mali mali ang binibigay na impormasyon,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Sen. Bam recalled that government economic managers told the Senate during TRAIN deliberations that inflation will not breach the four-percent mark. Last month, the country’s inflation reached 4.6 percent.

“Ang paglalaan ng pondo ay batay sa mga prayoridad ng gobyerno. Kung hindi nila bibigyan ng pondo ang libreng kolehiyo, ibig sabihin, hindi ito mahalaga para sa kanila,” Sen. Bam maintained.

“Isa pa, hindi namin hahayaan sa Senado na hindi mapondohan ang batas na ito, na layong suportahan ang mahihirap ng Pilipino na umasenso sa tulong ng edukasyon,” added Sen. Bam. 

Sen. Bam supports VAT reduction to ease burden of price surge, TRAIN Law

Senator Bam Aquino expressed support behind the move to reduce value-added tax (VAT) to 10 percent, saying it will help ease the burden of high prices of goods and services on Filipinos, especially the poor.

“Suportado natin ang pagbaba sa VAT at mga panukalang magbibigay ginhawa sa mga pamilyang nalulunod na sa pagtaas ng presyo. Mahalagang aksyunan na natin ito,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

While he supports the move, Sen. Bam promises to ensure that the exemptions under the VAT will remain, including those given to cooperatives, senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

“Kailangan nang isalba ang mga Pilipinong nasagasaan ng TRAIN law. Kung ang pagbaba ng VAT uunahin ng Senado, susuportahan natin ito,” said Sen. Bam.

In the Senate, Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Risa Hontiveros have been pushing for the lowering of VAT.

“Patuloy rin naming ilalaban ang pag-preno sa TRAIN at pag-roll-back ng excise tax. Kailangan gawin ang lahat ng ating makakaya upang tulungan ang mga pamilyang hirap na hirap na,” Sen. Bam added.

As part of his efforts to ease the burden of the TRAIN Law on Filipinos, Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to suspend the collection of the excise tax under the government’s tax reform program once the 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.

Sen. Bam has also filed a resolution calling for an investigation regarding the implementation of the unconditional cash transfer to ensure if the amount is still sufficient to cover the increase in prices of goods and other services.

Sen. Bam Aquino: Tama na, sobra na ang pagdadahilan sa taas-presyo

Instead of making excuses and misleading statements, Senator Bam Aquino called on the government to extend immediate assistance to Filipinos by finding solutions to the rising prices of goods and services due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

 “Huwag na nating paikutin ang mamamayan para ipagtanggol ang TRAIN Law,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the government’s tax reform program.

“Tama na, sobra na ang pagpapahirap sa Pilipino. Labanan at solusyunan na lang ang pagtaas ng presyo,” added Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam was referring to a GMA News report, where the National Economic Development Authority said that a family of five can survive on P10,000 a month, or P127 daily for food.

“Marami na ngang nasagasaan at nalulunod na sa pagtaas ng presyo, huwag na bilugin ang mga Pilipino. Tama na ang mga palusot, tulungan na lang natin ang mga pamilyang nahihirapan,” added Sen. Bam.

 “Hindi na nga makahinga ang mga Pilipino sa sikip ng sinturon, binibilog at niloloko pa natin ang mga tao para lang maidepensa ang minadali nilang Train Law,” added Sen. Bam.

As part of his push to ease the burden on the public, Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to roll back the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

In a separate resolution, Sen. Bam also sought the review of the unconditional cash transfer program under the TRAIN Law. Six months after the implementation of the TRAIN Law, the government has yet to fully roll out the unconditional cash transfer program.

Sen. Bam also pushed for the full implementation of the Pantawid Pasada program, which aims to help jeepney operators and drivers cope with the increase in price of diesel fuel.

Sen. Bam: Pati pag-aaral ng kabataan nasagasaan ng TRAIN

Senator Bam Aquino expressed fear that high prices of goods and services due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law might force poor families to sacrifice the education of their children.

“Dahil sa pagtaas ng presyo, maraming mahihihirap na estudyante ang maaaring hindi na makapag-aral,” said Sen. Bam, one of our senators who voted against the TRAIN Law.

“Tumaas na ang cost of living pero hindi pa rin nadadagdagan ang kita ng mga manggagawa. Dahil kulang na ang suweldo, maaaring masakripisyo na ang pag-aaral ng mahihirap na estudyante,” added Sen. Bam.

“Ilang kabataan kaya ngayon ang di na nakapag-enroll dahil hirap ang mga magulang sa pagtustos ng mga gastusin dahil sa pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin,” the senator queried.

Due to the high prices of goods and services, Sen. Bam said the value of government’s assistance programs, such as the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the free college education, to the poor has eroded.

“Hindi na sapat ang tulong ng 4Ps para matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mahihirap na Pilipino. Buti na lang at may libreng kolehiyo na,” said Sen. Bam, the principal sponsor of the free college law in the Senate.

Aside from filing a resolution seeking to review the unconditional cash transfer program under the TRAIN Law, Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to roll back TRAIN’s excise tax on fuel when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Also, Sen. Bam also renewed his call for the full implementation of the unconditional cash transfer program, which will help alleviate the increase in high prices of goods and services caused by the TRAIN Law.

During a Senate hearing on the TRAIN Law in Legazpi City, Sen. Bam also pushed for the full implementation of the Pantawid Pasada program, which aims to help jeepney operators and drivers cope with the increase in price of diesel fuel.

Also, Sen. Bam wants the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to expand the Pantawid Pasada to other means of transportation, such as UV Express, tricycles and to fishermen as well.

Sen. Bam wants Pantawid Pasada implemented ASAP, include other means of transportation

Like the unconditional cash transfer (UCT) program under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, Sen. Bam Aquino said the government has failed to immediately implement the Pantawid Pasada program that aims to help the transport sector cope with the increase in price of diesel fuel.

“Gaya nang nangyari sa UCT, hindi agad naipatupad ang programang ito kahit sinimulan na ang pangongolekta ng excise tax sa ilalim ng TRAIN Law,” said Sen. Bam during the hearing of the Senate committee on public services in Legazpi, Albay on the effects of the TRAIN Law

“Patunay lang ito na hindi sila handa at hinayaan munang magdusa ang taumbayan sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin bago kumilos,” added Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam said that aside from its immediate implementation, he wants the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to expand it to other means of transportation, such as UV Express, tricycles and to fishermen as well.

“Kailangan ding tingnan ang ibang transport groups, tulad ng ating UV Express at tricycle. Hindi rin covered ang ating mga mangingisda na apektado rin dahil gumagamit sila ng diesel,” said Sen. Bam.

Also, Sen. Bam called on the DOTr to conduct further study to see if the subsidy is enough to cover the increase in prices of goods due to TRAIN.

“Kung tutulong na rin lang tayo, magbigay na tayo ng tulong na makakasapat sa kanilang pangangailangan para hindi na sila humingi ng dagdag sa pasahe,” said Sen. Bam.

For 2018, the government has earmarked P977 million for 179,000 jeepney operators under the Pantawid Pasada program.

During the hearing, Sen. Bam also batted for the passage of his measure that aims to roll back of TRAIN’s excise tax on fuel when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

In addition, Sen. Bam also renewed his call for the full implementation of the unconditional cash transfer program, which will help alleviate the increase in high prices of goods and services caused by the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam to gov’t: Nasaan ang malasakit sa mahihirap na Pilipino?

Nasaan ang malasakit niyo sa taumbayan?

This was Senator Bam Aquino’s reaction to Budget Secretary Ben Diokno’s pronouncement that Filipinos should not be ‘crybabies’ amid the rising prices in fuel that led to the increase in prices of goods and services.

“Makinig naman kayo sa daing ng taumbayan na nalulunod na sa taas-presyo at nabibiktima pa ng laganap na korapsyon,” said Sen. Bam,  one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the government’s Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

“Kung may kaya ka, matitiis mo pa ang taas-presyo. Pero ang mga nahihirapan at hindi na nakakayanan ang bigat ng presyo, tulungan na lang natin sila sa halip na sumbatan,” the senator added.

Sen. Bam said poor Filipinos will be at the receiving end of every increase in prices of goods and services due to a hastily approved reform.

“Malinaw na hindi nakapaghanda ang pamahalaan para maibsan ang hirap na dulot ng TRAIN.  Walang nakahandang salbabida habang marami ang nalulunod sa taas ng presyo,” added Sen. Bam.

“Halos 7.4 milliong pamilya pa ang hindi nakakatanggap ng cash transfer na sinusumbat nila. Saan sila kukuha ng pambayad ng bilihin?” Sen. Bam pointed out, referring to the unconditional cash transfer program under the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam recently urged the Senate to address the rising prices to give relief to the poor who are already crying out for help.

To strengthen safeguards against price surges, Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 1798, which seeks to rollback of TRAIN’s excise tax on fuel when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Sen. Bam calls for immediate rollback, not suspension of excise tax on fuel

Instead of suspension, Sen. Bam Aquino is pushing for an immediate rollback on the excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law amid the people’s cry for an end to the rise in prices of goods and services.
 
“Humihingi na ng saklolo ang mga manggagawa at iba pang sektor. Umaksyon na tayo at i-roll back ang excise tax sa petrolyo,” stressed Sen. Bam, referring to labor groups crying out for higher wages.
 
“A suspension in 2019 is too late. Makinig na tayo sa daing ng mamamayan na nalulunod na sa pagtaas ng presyo,” added Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the government’s tax reform program.
 
Sen. Bam stressed that the government must admit the problems caused by the tax reform program and find solutions to lower prices of goods and services by rolling back the excise tax.
 
“Hangga’t hindi inaamin ng administrasyon na problema ang TRAIN. Hindi magkakaroon ng solusyon ang pagtaas ng presyo,” said Sen. Bam. 
 
Sen. Bam has filed Senate Bill No. 1798, where he sought for the rollback of TRAIN’s excise tax on fuel when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.
 
Sen. Bam included this safeguard during the TRAIN deliberations, but the provision was removed from the final draft of the law during the bicameral conference.
 
“Hindi hihigit sa 70 billion pesos ang mawawala sa koleksiyon ng buwis kung i-roll back natin ang excise tax ngayon. Ipagkaloob na sana ng gobyerno iyon para ginhawaan ang mga Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam.
 
Sen. Bam stated in his recent privilege speech in the Senate that the targeted 2018 collections from the excise tax on fuel is 70 billion pesos, while government underspending for 2017 is at 390 billion pesos.
 
“I-roll back natin ang excise tax ngayon para pababain ang presyo ng bilihin at matulungan ang lahat ng sektor sa isang bagsakan,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam dares gov’t to roll back excise tax on fuel

Senator Bam Aquino challenged the government to act now and roll back the excise taxes on petroleum products under its tax reform program to lift the burden of high prices on the Filipino people, especially the poor.

“Nalulunod na ang mga Pilipino sa taas ng presyo. Huwag na natin antayin na tumaas lalo ang bilihin,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

”Aantayin pa ba nila ang 2019? Hindi pa ba aaksyon ang pamahalaan?” asked Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam made this pronouncement after the Department of Energy (DOE) declared that the TRAIN Law allows for immediate suspension of excise taxes on petroleum products.

However, the DOE said the suspension would only cover the additional excise tax due for 2019.

“Next year is too late. Hirap na hirap na ang mga Pilipino sa pagtaas ng presyo,” said Sen. Bam.

In his privilege speech on Wednesday, Sen. Bam emphasized that one of the ways to alleviate the burden of the Filipino people is to suspend the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law.

In his Senate Bill No. 1798, the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law will be rolled back when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Sen. Bam included this safeguard during the TRAIN deliberations, but the provision was removed from the final draft of the law during the bicameral conference.

 

Sen. Bam: Filipinos demand solutions, not excuses for high prices

Instead of making excuses, Senator Bam Aquino called on the government to find solutions to lower the prices of goods and services due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

In his privilege speech on Wednesday, Sen. Bam insisted that the Filipino people are heavily burdened by the high prices of goods and services, in addition to the impending increase in electricity and jeepney and LRT fares.

“Nalulunod na po ang mga mahihirap nating kababayan sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of TRAIN Law.

“Tumataas din ang presyo ng kuryente, ang presyo ng bigas, at humihingi na ng fare hike ang mga jeepney drivers at operators, pati na ang LRT. Kaya naman napakarami na ang umaalma,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam emphasized that the effects of the TRAIN Law in the increase in prices of commodities are evident and the Filipino people are crying for help from the government to alleviate their plight.

Sen. Bam pointed out that Filipinos, especially the poor, are expecting the government to provide solutions to the increase in prices of goods and services.

“Habang patuloy ang debate sa mga rason ng pagtaas ng presyo, ang hinahanap ng taumbayan solusyon, hindi po dahilan,” said Sen. Bam.

In his speech, Sen. Bam offered three solutions to alleviate the burden of the Filipino people brought about by the TRAIN Law, including the full implementation of the unconditional cash transfer program under the TRAIN Law and by addressing the high price of rice in the market.

Most importantly, Sen. Bam batted for the passage of his measure that 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.

“Under this bill, when inflation exceeds the target range for three consecutive months, the excise tax on fuel will be rolled back,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam successfully included this safeguard during the TRAIN deliberations, but the provision was removed from the final draft of the law during the bicameral conference.

Sen. Bam: Roll back excise tax ASAP, next year is too late

We welcome the openness of Malacanang to the suspension of additional excise taxes in 2019, but this is too little, too late.
 
Ang hinahanap ng taumbayan ang pag-rollback sa presyo ng petrolyo at iba pang bilihin.
 
Kaya sa aming panukala, babawiin pati ang dinagdag na excise tax on fuel na pinataw na sa merkado ngayong 2018. 
 
Umaasa kami na susuportahan ang safeguard na ito ng aming mga kasama sa Senado.
 
Kailangan protektahan mula sa TRAIN at taas-presyo ang mga mahihirap na Pilipino. Nalulunod na sa taas ng presyo ang ating mga kababayan.
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