Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. (Photo from the Manila Public Information Office)
MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso on Saturday told Caloocan City residents that he is prepared for the presidency and the first thing that he will do as chief executive is the lowering by 50 percent the taxes that go with fuel and electricity.
Moreno said he is aware about the downside of his proposal which would mean a loss of P130 billion from the government’s income from taxes as pointed out by the Department of Finance.
“Walang mangyayari kung hindi kayo gagawa, kung tayo gagawa ng kakaiba…Mano ba umatras muna ang gobyerno at pwede mauna muna ang tao,” said Moreno as he told his audience, majority of which are ordinary people, at the Kalookan Cockpit Arena Saturday evening.
“Bilang presidente, handa ang aking administrasyon na mawalan ng P130 bilyon dahil alam ko na ang parehong halaga ay pakikinabangan naman ng mahigit 100 milyong mga Pilipino,” the Aksyon Demokratiko presidential candidate pointed out.
Besides immediate savings for the household, Moreno said cutting taxes on electricity would also prevent manufacturers from shutting down, thus letting their employees keep their jobs and their livelihood.
“Ang bigger picture nyan: imagine the things that can be made by manufacturing, mga planta, they can sustain jobs. Instead of firing people, masu-sustain nila kasi ang laki ng savings nila,” Moreno said.
“Because yung cost of electricity, halos 50 percent nung buwis, na-save nila, then they can maintain whatever they have, how many employees they have,” he said.
Besides the 50 percent tax cut on electricity, Moreno said another 50 percent tax cut on oil products would further bring down the cost of electricity since about 70 percent of power generation is diesel fuel.
“In fact, mas bababa yung power generation because one of the biggest sources to produce is utilizing crude or petroleum products. So, naturally nagti-trickle down siya. It’s common sense,” he said.
Moreno also earlier said that bringing power rates down to a competitive level would likewise attract foreign investors, meaning more jobs to Filipinos.
“Tao muna. Gusto ko, trabaho muna kayo. I don’t mind kung anim na buwan. Basta anim na buwan ulit, may trabaho kayo. Isang taon? Basta isang taon, may trabaho muna kayo. Pag may trabaho kayo, may paghaharimunan kayo sa bahay. Yan ang pangarap ko, more jobs for Filipinos,” Moreno said
Towards the end of his speech, Moreno thanked Congressman Edgar Erice for inviting him and his vice presidential bet Dr. Willie Ong and three senatorial candidates to the consultation-dialogue which was well attended.
“Baka makalimutan pa, at yung aking partner Si Doc Willie Ong. Pwede naman akong kumuha ng sikat na politiko pero ang pinili ko duktor dahil may pandemya pa rin bukas , sa isang buwan sa isang taon. Kaya doktor ang pinili ko na bise president,” said Moreno.
Moreno told the residents from North and South Caloocan that his senatorial ticket is easy to remember: Samira Gutoc, a Moro civic leader; Dr. Carl Balita, an educator and registered nurse; and Jopet Sison, who gives free legal assistance.
“Tatlo na lang eh bahala na kayo sa siyam. May maganda akong balits dito sa Caloocan andyan si Carl Balita. Ito kapag nakasama ko ipaglalaban kayo, si Jopet Sison. Ang nag-iisang babae matapang, nakipaglaban para sa mga babaeng naaagrabyado, si Samira Gutoc,” said Moreno.
During a convention of local officials and volunteers in Caloocan City on Saturday, political leaders from the city’s second and third districts led by Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice and former Caloocan Mayor Enrico Echiverri expressed their support for Moreno’s presidential bid.
Erice is regional chairman of Aksyon Demokratiko for the National Capital Region. He is the party’s official candidate for mayor in Caloocan City. His candidate for vice mayor is PJ Malonzo.
Erice, a former Liberal Party stalwart, said the public should set aside conflicts among the country’s political parties and dynasties and choose a candidate whose performance is beyond these long-standing disputes.
“Malayong mahirap maging Mayor ng Maynila kaysa maging Senador o Bise Presidente ng ating bansa. Malayong mahirap ang maging mayor. At napakahirap maging competent na mayor katulad ni Mayor Isko,” he said.