Angara: Tax reform law is biggest Christmas gift of gov’t to Filipinos

Sen. Sonny Angara (File photo by GRIC C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Sen. Sonny Angara on Tuesday hailed the signing into law of a measure that would raise the workers’ take-home pay, saying it was the biggest Christmas gift the government could give to every Filipino.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Angara spearheaded the discussions on the tax reform measure, also known as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train).

“Next year would mark the beginning of a new, simplified and fairer income tax system,” Angara said in a statement shortly after President Rodrigo duterte signed the measure in Malacañang. “We hope we have fulfilled our ultimate goal to provide millions of Filipinos relief from their tax burdens that would put more money in their pockets to help them spend for their families and loved ones.”

“Ito po ay para tulungan ang ating mamamayan na umangat at guminhawa ang buhay,” he added. “Marahil ito na nga ang pinakamalaking Christmas gift na maibibigay ng gobyerno sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino.”

Aside from raising the workers’ take-home pay, the senator said the new law would also “jumpstart infrastructure projects in the country which would help improve the lives of every Filipino.”

The measure would impose additional taxes on fuel, automobiles, mining, and coal, among others.

Angara thanked his colleagues in Congress and the Department of Finance, led by Secretary Carlos Dominguez III “for working very hard” and making the passage of the measure a “truly collective effort.” /atm