Mining, sin tax bills should be passed, says Drilon
LAWMAKERS REACT The third State of the Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino drew different reactions from lawmakers. Aquino delivered his speech before a joint session of Congress at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives, Batasan Pambansa Complex, Quezon City, on July 23, 2012
Manila, Philippines—Senator Franklin Drilon on Monday said he was one with President Benigno Aquino III in pushing for the passing of the sin tax and mining tax bills.
Drilon said this when asked about his reactions to Aquino’s State of the Nation Address delivered Monday at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.
Drilon said that the passage of the sin tax bill could give the country extra funds.
“Dapat po gawin namin ang sin tax bill dahil yan po ang makakapagbigay ng investment grade sa ating ekonomiya. Kapag nagkaroon po tayo ng investment grade ay malaki ang matitipid natin sa ating interest payment at iyan po ay mapupunta sa karagdagang pondo para sa mahihirap,” Drilon said.
Drilon said that the same effect of more funds for the country was seen if the mining tax measure was passed.
“Sinusuportahan ko po ang mga panukalang magdagdag ng pondo sa ating bayan,” Drilon said.
Drilon noted however that these funds should be used transparently, and he noted that Aquino has shown in his two years of presidency that he used the country’s funds rightly.
