Duterte certifies Tax Reform Bill urgent, says DOF

President Rodrigo Duterte has certified as urgent the measure on the  first package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program proposed by his administration.

The Department of Finance, which requested for the said certification, announced the development on Monday, when the House of Representatives is expected to continue debates on House Bill 5636.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea sent to House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Monday a letter from the President “certifying to the necessity of the immediate enactment” of the said measure, the DOF said in a statement.

Bills certified as urgent need not undergo the “three-day rule” between the second and third reading, with approval on both levels likely within the same day.

The certification comes after a delay in the scheduled approvals eyed by House leaders, who earlier announced intent to have the bill hurdle second reading by May 24, Wednesday.

They eyed approval on third and final reading by Wednesday, May 31, the last plenary session before Congress goes on its sine die adjournment.

Voting did not happen then, however, with Ways and Means committee chair Dakila Carlo Cua facing several colleagues who wanted to interpellate the proponents of the measure.

Cua said three more lawmakers will interpellate them on Monday. —NB, GMA News