Senator Risa Hontiveros challenged President Rodrigo Duterte to direct his political will against inflation, and not on the opposition, adding that the rising prices on goods is the real enemy of the state.
“President Duterte would like to project himself as a toughie. Well, if he’s really a tough guy, I challenge him to muster the needed political will to tame the country’s rising inflation rate,” she said in a statement Friday.
Hontiveros said the President should use his strength on addressing the country’s economic issues, instead of “wasting his time and energy” to expel the opposition.
“The real enemy is inflation. The so-called strongman should get tough on inflation, not the opposition,” she said.
Duterte earlier ordered the arrest of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, his known critic, after voiding the amnesty granted to the senator in 2010.
Hontiveros said the attack against the administration’s critics is just designed to mask the effects of inflation and divert public attention.
READ: Hontiveros: Trillanes arrest part of Duterte’s ‘grand plan’ to wipe out opposition
Hontiveros said the plan is not working.
“Sorry, Mr. President, but it’s not working. The inflation rate is just too high for people to get distracted. Sound economic policies, not the assault on democracy, will address inflation,” she said.
Hontiveros also suggested policies to address the economic slowdown, including suspending further taxes mandated by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law until the inflation rate gets normal.
She also urged the implementation of a shift in rice policy, a faster “Build, Build, Build” program, wage hike, cash transfer to poor families, and cutting the value added tax. /muf
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