Senators differ on dealing with Train law

From left, Senators JV Ejercito, Miguel Zubiri and Bam Aquino. INQUIRER FILES

Setting aside politics, opposition Senator Bam Aquino expressed hope President Rodrigo Dutere would support the suspension of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) law.

“Umaaasa kami na susuportahan din ng Pangulo ang pag suspinde sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin na dulot ng TRAIN law gaya ng kanyang paggiit sa pagpasa nito noong nakaraang SONA (State Of the Nation Address),” Aquino said in a text message on Monday.

(We are hoping that the President will also support the suspension of soaring prices of commodities due to the train law, just like when he pushed for it during his last Sona)

“Itabi na ang pulitika sa panukalang magsusupinde sa TRAIN law at sa halip ibigay sa taumbayan ang konting tulong at ginhawa sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin,” he added.

(Let’s side aside politics on this proposed suspension of Train law and instead give the public the necessary help and relief from the rising prices of commodities).

Aquino, who been pushing for the suspension of the excise tax, issued the statement when sought for comment on Duterte’s remark that it would be up to Congress whether or not to suspend the law amid the skyrocketing prices of fuel and basic goods.

“The law was enacted by Congress. I’ll leave it to Congress to decide whether or not to amend or suspend or modify the law,” the President said over the weekend.

READ: Duterte: Congress to decide on Train’s suspension

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, meanwhile, explained that since the Train law is a tax, revenue measure, any amendments should emanate from the House of Representatives.

“The Train law is a tax measure, it’s a revenue measure. It’s up to the lower house to decide on these amendments kasi manggagaling sa kanila yan. The Senate will just wait for the amendments approved by the lower house,” Zubiri said in an interview at the Senate.

“I can’t comment any further on what the lower house will do,” he said.

For his part, Senator JV Ejercito reiterated his proposal “to lower excise taxes on petroleum and increase tobacco instead.”

“We already feel the inflationary effects of high excise taxes on petroleum now,” Ejercito added in a separate text message. /cbb