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Senators laud gov’t decision to suspend second round of fuel excise taxes


Senators on Thursday lauded Malacañang's decision to suspend the second round of increases in excise tax rates of petroleum for 2019 under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said the suspension will definitely cushion the effect of inflation on ordinary people.

“Magandang move ‘yan para ma-cushion ang effects ng inflation. Kailangan pa rin kaunting break ng mamimili at motorist, lahat-lahat na. Kasi ang laki ng impact sa oil tumama ang taas ng presyo. Kasi lahat apektado,” Lacson said during the weekly Kapihan sa Senado.

n a press statement, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon called it "the right thing to do, particularly in light of the unabated increases in the prices of basic commodities and transportation cost." 

“I am glad that finally, the economic managers have acted on a growing call to suspend the implementation of excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN law in 2019,” he added.

Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV thanked the government for listening to the public's plea and suspending the excise tax on fuel as he appealed for complete repeal of TRAIN Law tax on petroleum.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Presidente at sa kanyang economic managers sa pag-aksyon sa isyu na matagal nang daing ng mga pamilyang nahihirapan sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin. Ito’y tagumpay ng mga Pilipinong matagal nang humihiling ng tulong sa matinding pagtaas ng presyo,” he said.

Aquino has been calling for the suspension and rollback of TRAIN’s tax on fuel since May.

He expressed hope that the government’s move is an indication of its willingness to eventually remove the all of the excise tax on fuel under its tax reform program, which could lead to lower prices of food and other goods.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chairman of the Senate ways and means committee, hailed the decision as a “step in the right direction.”

“We commend President Rodrigo Duterte and his economic managers for staying sensitive to the plight of our people and adjusting with the times. This is the right decision given the high price of oil worldwide,” Angara said. — BM, GMA News

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