MANILA, Philippines?Unlike his strongest rival, Senator Manny Villar made no promises of not imposing new taxes in case he gets elected president this May.

Speaking before the Makati Business Club on Wednesday, Villar said, ?I cannot promise no new taxes as the next administration will inherit empty coffers.?

?It would be irresponsible of me to limit my options knowing the magnitude of the problem. Of course, we will push to raise revenues and spend wisely,? he said.

?But as we have seen, raising revenues is not a simple matter. We already have one of the highest tax rates in the region. People will have to pay their taxes,? Villar said.

On the other hand, Senator Benigno ?Noynoy? Aquino III vowed not to implement new taxes.

Villar and Aquino are neck-and-neck in the presidential race based on the latest survey conducted by the Pulse Asia.

Villar meanwhile assured businessmen present in the forum that he would be in a strong position to reduce tax evasion and smuggling in the country.

?I am beholden to no one,? he said, ?I?m spending my own money.?

On his first day in Malacañang, if elected, Vilar said he would make it clear that there would be ?zero tolerance of graft and corruption.?

?Sadly, there is no country in the world that has been able to eliminate it completely. I will work hard to reduce it significantly,? he said.

And during the first 100 days of his presidency, Villar said he would send a message that his administration means business. He said bidding of large contracts is going to be televised for all to see.

The senator also used the occasion to defend himself from corruption allegations being hurled at him for allegedly profiting from the construction of the C-5 road extension project.

Villar said the accusation was a ?clear concoction.?