Palace tells anti-VAT crusaders to bring cause to Congress

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang has called on those pushing government to scrap the value added tax on petroleum to pressure Congress, instead of the executive branch.

“The VAT is law. Some groups would like to suspend… to repeal the VAT on oil. This is a matter for Congress to decide. It is not a matter for the executive branch to do so,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told reporters in an early afternoon news briefing.

Lacierda, nonetheless, said that the taxes the government has been collecting would go to programs for the benefit of Filipinos rather than to the pockets of corrupt officials.