Senator Ralph Recto. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ralph Recto on Friday said he was willing to resign as the chairman of the committe on ways and means “as long as it will not delay the process.”
“I’m willing to give it up anytime. If there is anyone willing to take it, I will give it,” Recto said in a phone patch interview with reporters.
“The only reason I am not resigning is because I don’t want to delay the process,” he added.
Recto has been widely criticized for his committee report on the sin tax reform bill which sought to collect P15 billion in taxes instead of the P60 billion target by the Departments of Health and Finance and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
BIR Commissioner Kim Henares previously stated that she and all the others who worked hard on the sin tax reform felt betrayed by Recto’s bill.
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago previously called for war against Recto’s proposed bill.
Recto said that the issue of the sin tax reform bill was complicated due to the many sectors he consulted. He said he had to balance farmers, workers, companies, consumers, revenue issues, health issues, when he gave his committee report.
“I listened to everybody,” Recto said. He also said he was willing to talk to anybody about the issues of the bill.
Recto also clarified that he thought the P60 billion target tax collection could not be attained by the revenue agencies. “That’s not likely to happen, that’s what I found in my research and study. And I think that’s what the other senators are thinking too.”
He said he was not affected by the many criticisms against him. “I’m not affected, its a free society and we have a democracy.”
Recto said that it would still be up for interpolation in the Senate and any of the other senators may still ask questions and propose amendments. He said he would be ready to answer all of the queries.
“Let’s debate it in a civilized manner,” Recto said. “Let’s not be too hot-headed, that is also not good for our health.”