Lower income tax rates; more Filipino heroism

THE government should consider lowering personal income tax in the country. This would increase workers’ take home pay and buying power, and help perk up the economy.

*** The House Independent Bloc, headed by Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, has asked President Aquino to certify as urgent the passage of a bill seeking to lower personal income tax rates.

Time to show compassion to the country’s workers, he says.

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Sen. Sonny Angara and other concerned Senate members have likewise called on Malacañang to now act on the measure with urgency.

Time to help the lowly workers and other small income earners for “inclusive growth,” they add.

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Romualdez, says that financial relief should now be given to ordinary workers who pay the biggest chunk of the total income tax collection.

Time to address the country’s “grossly unfair and inequitable” income tax system, he urges.

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He cautions the Department of Finance (DOF) against pushing for an increase in the Value Added Tax from 12 to 14 percent.

Tax on consumption should not be raised, otherwise, no relief is actually granted to workers who are likewise consumers.

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“I hope the President, out of compassion, will certify this as an urgent measure to ensure its swift passage. But we should not increase the VAT because this will jeopardize our compassion for workers,” Romualdez pleads.

Lower personal income tax without raising the VAT.

*** Angara points out that the lower income tax bill should not be allowed to gather dust in Congress just because of fears that the government stands to lose 30 billion in revenues.

The government is not able to spend all its budget anyway, and projected revenue loss can be offset by other socio-economic gains from the measure, the senator argues.

*** Meanwhile, Migrante party-list has asked Congress to review recent plans of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to hike fees for balikbayan boxes.

The planned increase in clearing fees for all containers entering Philippine ports would pad by $325 or about 1,500 the cost of every balikbayan box of overseas Filipino workers (OWFs), it complains.

*** “We demand an investigation into this new fee imposition. What is the reason and rationale for this increase? Where will the added cost go?” says Migrante Partylist Chairperson Connie Bragas Regalado.

“This recent state exaction should be dissected and thoroughly investigated,” she urges.

*** Regalado points out that the strong opposition to the opening and additional charges on balikbayan boxes is the fact that “the balikbayan box is the closest overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) can get to their loved ones while they are away from home.”

“The least the government could do is to make sure that this simple vehicle of love is not burdened by money-making schemes at the expense of OFWs and their families,” she pleads.

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Likewise, Rep. Johnny Revilla says that the lack of trust in the government is the main reason behind the protests of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) against BOC’s plan to conduct random checks on balikbayan boxes.

The government must address complaints of pilferage and corruption related to balikbayan boxes, he urges.

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President Aquino III and BOC Chief Bert Lina assure that needed reforms will be looked into and adopted at the agency.

Yes to more reforms at the Customs.

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Pending the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the President also extends the term of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) until the new measure is ratified by both Houses of Congress.

Yes to smooth, not bloody transition in the South.

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President Aquino III, leading the celebration of National Heroes Day, calls on Filipinos to draw inspiration from our great men and women and help in the building of a better Philippines.

Time for a better Philippines!

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The National Press Club (NPC) and the province of Bulacan honor Marcelo H. del Pilar, the great propagandist of the Philippine Revolution, and sign a manifesto declaring August 30 of every year as “National Press Freedom Day.”

Yes to press freedom and greater protection to journalists.