Robredo supports bid to suspend implementation of TRAIN law

Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday said she supports the Makabayan bloc’s bid to suspend the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law amid increases in price of goods and commodities.

In an interview, Robredo said the law needs to be studied again, stressing that the price increases being experienced now are unprecedented.

“Noong pino-propose ito, mayroon tayong assurance na iyong presyo hindi ganito, iyong presyo ng mga basic commodities hindi ganito iyong pagtaas,” Robredo told reporters.

“Pero iyong inflation natin, ano na, napakataas na ngayon. Anywhere we go, iyon talaga iyong pinakareklamo ng mga tao, na sobrang taas ng bilihin, na iyong iba natatakot na baka hindi na sila makakain nang tatlong beses sa isang araw dahil sa taas ng bilihin,” she lamented.

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The vice president also believes that a wage increase was needed, but maintained that labor groups as well as private sector employers should discuss it first.

“Tayo naman, para tayo sa pagtaas ng sahod dahil talagang ngayon na grabe iyong inflation, kulang na talaga iyong sahod na natatanggap,” Robredo said.

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“Kailangang mag-usap na magkasabay, pagdesisyunan nang magkasabay ng management and laborers, ng employees at employers, ano ba iyong makatarungan—na hindi naman matutulak na magsara iyong kumpanya pero matutugunan pa rin iyong pangangailangan ng mga manggagawa,” she said. /vvp