Bam Aquino: With 5.2 percent inflation surge, TRAIN should be suspended

Senator Paolo “Bam” Aquino contradicted Malacañang on its statement that the 5.2 percent inflation surge in June is something not to worry about, as he pointed out that Filipinos are being affected by the high prices of goods due to the implementation of 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,” Aquino said in a statement Friday.

“Para maging matagumpay ang pagsugpo sa kahirapan, kailangan magsimula sa pagsugpo ng taas presyo sa pamamagitan ng pagsuspinde sa TRAIN,” added Aquino, one of the four senators who voted against the approval of the said law.

In his statement, Aquino said he has submitted a bill seeking to suspend and roll back the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN law once the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target in a span of three months.

The senator hopes the TRAIN law will be one of the issues President Rodrigo Duterte will tackle in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) along with anti-poverty measures to help 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,” he said.

“Hanggang nalulunod sa taas presyo ang mga kababayan natin, hindi magiging epektibo ang mga programa kontra-kahirapan,” the senator added. / muf  Syrah Vivien Inocencio/INQUIRER.net intern