Tax cuts ‘doable’–Gringo

Campaign kick-off of VP Jejomar Binay for president and Sen. Gringo Honasan vie-president held in Nueve de Pebrero, Brgy. Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City. Showing support for him are Benhur Abalos (L) and Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile.
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON

The United Nationalist Alliance Thursday defended as “doable” UNA standard-bearer Vice President Jejomar Binay’s campaign promise to exempt from the income tax those with monthly earnings of P30,000 or less, which the Liberal Party has criticized.

“[The] LP says this can’t be done. How do you know it? Have you ever tried it? Who can tell?” said Sen. Gringo Honasan, Binay’s vice presidential running mate.

Speaking at a Senate forum, Honasan said the proposal can be done if government’s priorities are very clear.

During his proclamation rally on Tuesday, Binay made the promise to abolish the income tax for such earners to bring immediate relief to the people. But the LP said his proposal would bring financial ruin to the government.

In Cavite, UNA spokesperson Mon Ilagan said Binay intended to convene the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council in his 100 days in office so that his proposal could be considered an urgent tax reform bill.

UNA president and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said the Tax Management Association of the Philippines had come out with a statement concerning its proposal for the tax cut for those earning an annual income of P300,000, or P60,000 more than what is being proposed by Binay.

“The TMAP has studied [this and said] that this can be done for those earning P300,000 annually. So definitely this can be done for those earning P360,000 annually,” Tiangco said. Christine O. Avendaño