SC orders gov’t to respond in petitions vs TRAIN Law

SC Spokesperson Theodore Te INQUIRER file photo / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the government to comment on the petition seeking to nullify the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law (TRAIN Law).

At a press conference Tuesday, the high court’s information chief, Atty. Theodore Te, said the respondents have been given 10 days to submit their comment on the consolidated petitions.

Two petitions have been filed against TRAIN Law, which have been consolidated by the high court.

The first petition was filed by ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. Antonio Tinio, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, and Anakpawis Rep. Ariel “Ka Ayik” Casilao assisted by the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL).

The second petition, on the other hand, was filed by advocacy group Laban Konsyumer Inc.

In both petitions, both groups said that the TRAIN Law was procedurally infirm, or weak, after it was passed by Congress during a session that lacked the quorum.

The Laban Konsyumer Inc. also said that the TRAIN Law imposes a heavy burden to the public as it pointed that the increase in the prices of petroleum products will have a domino effect to the cost of transportation and prices of goods.

Named respondent in the first petition include President Rodrigo Duterte, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, Deputy Speaker Raneo Abu, and Deputy Majority Leader Arthur Defensor, Jr. while respondents in the second petition are Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Internal Revenue Commissioner Caesar Dulay, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III. /jpv

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