Opposition solons blast gov’t for ‘arresting critics instead of inflation’
Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat and Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS
Opposition lawmakers denounced the Duterte administration on Wednesday for “arresting critics” and “harassing the opposition” instead of addressing the rising inflation which hit a new nine-year high of 6.4 percent in August.
The government said it was the fastest rate of increase in prices of basic goods and services since March 2009’s 6.6 percent.
READ: Inflation hits new 9-year high of 6.4% in August
Instead of focusing on measures to “arrest runaway inflation,” the government is “devoting its energies (to) finding dubious jurisprudence and concocting strategies to arrest critics and stifle opposition,” Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat lamented.
“The spike in the price of rice borne by the incompetence and infighting of its officials and the lack of social protection programs have made the poor unable to cope with hyperinflation. Social unrest brews,” he added.
“Samantalang grabe ang pag focus nila sa pagsalanta ng critical voice. Misplaced priorities,” he added.
Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin, meanwhile, pointed out the irony that while inflation hits above 6 percent for August, President Rodrigo Duterte’s response is “to intimidate and arrest critics like Sen Trillanes.” He also said it is high time that “we revive people power.”
READ: Arrest Trillanes–Duterte
“Duterte is trying to deflect his economic woes by hitting the opposition hard. High time that we revive people power!” Villarin said.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered the arrest of his vocal critic, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, claiming that the former Navy officer who staged mutinies in 2003 and 2007 against then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had not applied for amnesty and had not admitted his guilt.
READ: Arrest Trillanes–Duterte
WHAT WENT BEFORE: Oakwood Mutiny and Trillanes’ 2nd try to oust Arroyo
WHAT WENT BEFORE: Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s amnesty
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate also warned that with the impending passage of the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-quality Opportunities (TRABAHO bill), “we are in for an even worse situation.”
READ: Makabayan bloc: TRAIN 2 is pro-rich, anti-poor sequel of tax reform package
“Sa halip na unahin ang politika at pangha-harass sa oposisyon, dapat ang administrasyong ito ay magkonsentra sa kung paano ibaba ang inflation at presyo ng mga bilihin,” said the progressive solon.
“Ni hindi pa nga nakakarekober ang mga consumers sa pagtaas ng mga bilihin dahil sa TRAIN 1 ay gusto nilang aprubahan na agad ang TRAIN 2. Kung titignang mabuti, mahigit doble pa ang itataas ng mga bilihin sa 2019 kapag hindi naibasura ang TRAIN 1 at ipinatupad din ang TRAIN 2,” he added, reffering to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed on second reading House Bill 8083, the second tranche of the Duterte administration’s comprehensive tax reform package./jpv
READ: House OKs ‘Trabaho’ bill on 2nd reading
