LP lauds Angara, senators for standing firm vs Duterte admin’s tax program

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means headed by Senator Sony Angara meets Department of Finance, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and National Tax Research Center officials on a hearing to discuss the proposed Tax Reform Bill on Wednesday, July 12, 2017.
INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

The Liberal Party (LP) has urged the Senate to remain firm amid pressure from the Duterte administration to pass in full the government’s proposed tax reform program.

“The Senate needs to fulfill its duty to maintain its independence and to provide a check and balance to government,” the LP said in a statement on Thursday.

The former ruling party backed by the Aquino administration said the government should respect this separation of powers of the executive and the legislative branch “as its officials push for their agenda, including tax reforms.”

“We urge our colleagues to remain steadfast in carrying out their respective duties and responsibilities amid political pressure,” it said.

The LP also lauded the Senate, particularly Sen. Sonny Angara, who chairs the committee on ways and means, for standing firm in its opposition on the administration’s tax package in its original form.

READ: Angara willing to quit ways and means committee if Duterte asks him

“On the government’s proposed tax measures, we commend our colleagues in the Senate, particularly Senator Sonny Angara, for standing firmly with the findings of the Committee on Ways and Means, which he chairs,” it said.

“As the people’s representatives, we craft and shepherd policies with their interest in mind,” the LP added.  JPV