Palace confident of Senate support for tax reforms

MANILA -- Malacañang on Thursday, July 26, expressed optimism that President Rodrigo Duterte would get the Senate's support for his proposed second package of tax reforms.

Speaking to reporters in Zamboanga Sibugay, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said the government would do its best to correct the "misconception" about the proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) 2 Law.

"Well, actually, maybe because it's because of a misconception that Train 2 will increase taxes. On the contrary, Train 2 will reduce corporate taxes. So hindi po totoo na magpapataw ng bagong buwis ang Train 2 (So it is not true that Train 2 will impose new taxes)," Roque said.

"So I think it's a matter of telling the senators what Train 2 is. And I think we can overcome their initial hesitancy," he added.

Roque's statement came a day after Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri revealed that senators are so far unwilling to sponsor the second package of Train. On Wednesday, July 25, Zubiri said his colleagues raised concerns over potential job loss and fewer investments should the second proposed tax reform get enacted into law.

The proposed reforms in the corporate tax system and the modernization of investment incentives comprised Package 2 of the government's proposed comprehensive tax reform program.

House Bill 7458, which covered the second part of the tax reform program, was filed in March.