Robredo in favor of tax reform bill
Vice-Presidential aspirant Leni Robredo. NESTOR CORRALES
“I am all for it.” Thus said vice presidential aspirant and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, saying she is in favor of the tax reform bill pending in Congress.
Speaking to reporters at the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Robredo said lowering income tax rates is a “social justice issue,” saying she is “very supportive” for the passage of the bill.
“I am all for it. Pinupush ko na maipasa na yung tax reform bill kasi dapat talaga yung burden ng taxation nandun sa marami yung nakukuha. Kung sino yung mas konti, dapat mas konti yung burden. Kung sino yung mas marami, mas narami din yung burden,” Robredo said.
(I am pushing for the passage of the tax reform bill because the burden of the taxation must be for those who get a lot. Those who have few, they should carry less burden. Those who have many, must have more burden.)
When told that her stand was contrary to the position of President Benigno Aquino III, she said the President was not totally against the tax proposal.
“Hindi naman niya sinasabi na kontra siya. Ang sinasabi niya lang na sana pag pinag-usapan ito mas comprehensive yung usapin,” she said.
(He did not say he’s against [the tax proposal]. What he’s saying is this should be tackled in a more comprehensive way.)
She said the Aquino did not want a “piecemeal attack” on the issue, citing the government needs to study where to get the revenue loss in case the bill is passed into law.
Aquino has opposed the bid to lower income tax rates for fears that it might result in revenue loss.
The President even branded the tax reform bill as “pogi bill,” to earn pogi points from the voters especially this coming 2016 national elections.
While he is in favor of the bill if elected as president, Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II said the issue on lowering income tax rates should not be discussed in this period of political campaign, citing others were taking advantage to gain popularity.
READ: Roxas nixes income tax cuts: Not now, in political heat
Roxas said the reform bill must be tackled “soberly, maturely and responsibly.”
Meanwhile, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte has said the there was no use of pushing for lower income tax rates without the support of Aquino. TVJ
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