Isko Moreno speaks to some 100 farmers in a town hall meeting in Tarlac City. Photo courtesy of Isko Moreno Campaign Team
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Thursday vowed to reduce the tax on fuel and electricity by 50 percent should he win the highest elective position in the upcoming polls.
Moreno made the promise during a town hall meeting attended by some 100 farmers in Barangay Banaba in Tarlac City. The Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer was also joined by his running mate Willie Ong, and the party’s senatorial candidates Samira Gutoc, Carl Balita and Jopet Sison.
“Mas gugustuhin ko na bawasan ang buwis kaysa kunin ng buwis nang malaki ‘tas nanakawin lang ng mga pulitiko para sa lokohan sa ayuda, lokohan sa kalsada. Ngayon, hawak ninyo ang pera,” Moreno said.
(I would rather reduce taxes than have high taxes which politicians could only pilfer, then they would fool you with aid. Now at least the money is in your hands.)
“There is such a thing as delayed gratification principle which means that while the government bites the bullet by implementing a 50 percent tax cut on electricity and fuel, the end-result is still favorable to the government,” he further said.
Moreno also told farmers that this proposal would directly affect them positively.
“The income of farmers and fishermen will definitely be affected by the fuel price hikes. Farmers use crude oil in their farm tractors, kuliglig and motors that are used for irrigation. Even their fertilizers and pesticides are by-products of petroleum. Fishermen will also have to reduce their fishing trip because of high fuel prices,” he said.
He also said while the government would initially bear the brunt of the tax cut of electricity and fuel, it would increase the purchasing power of Filipinos.
Moreno explained: “Bagama’t nalugi ang gobyerno sa buwis, lumakas naman ang buying power ng mamamayan at bumalik ito sa ekonomiya natin na lalung lumakas. That is a positive chain reaction.”
(While the government may incur loss of taxes, the buying power of the people would increase, and this will make our economy stronger.)