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What projects do we have to stop? Roxas asks lower income tax advocates


Liberal Party presidential candidate Mar Roxas on Monday dared those proposing to lower the income tax to identify programs and projects that will be discontinued if the proposal was enacted.

“I think it is also incumbent sa mga nagpo-propose na tanggalin ang buwis, ano ang programa na puputulin din,” Roxas told reporters after his speech during the National Unity Party convention when asked on the proposal.

“Madali tayong mag-grandstand, madali tayong magpa-pogi, na sabihin na wag na tayo mangolekta ng buwis, zero na natin ang buwis, pero ano naman ang mga programa na masasaktan?" Roxas said.

"Ilan ang mga kabataan nating hindi na magkakaroon ng classroom? Ilan sa ating mga kabataan ang hindi na makakabenepisyo sa PhilHealth? Ilan ang mababawas sa 4 Ps?” he added.

Roxas said he was in favor of a periodic review of tax measures but added there should be an alternative program presented.

“I think that all taxes periodically need to be reviewed, kung tama pa rin ba o hindi. Do they serve the purpose? Saan ba napupunta ang pera?” Roxas said.

“Para sa akin, having come from the legislature, as well as now the executive, I think it is responsible to always be reviewing taxes and all impositions. But at the same time, dapat timbangin din, ano ba ang pinopondohan nito, at ano bang mga programa ang puputulin kung sakali mang hindi na magpatuloy ito,” he added.

The proposed legislation, authored by Senator Juan Edgardo Angara in the Senate and Marikina Representative Miro Quimbo in the House, seeks to lower the individual income tax rate from 32 percent to 25 percent.

At present, annual income above P500,000 is taxed at 32 percent – one of the highest tax rates in the Southeast Asian region.

President Benigno Aquino III earlier thumbed down the proposal saying he was not convinced it would be good for the people.

"Kapag binawasan natin ‘yung income tax, mababawasan ‘yung revenue, lalaki ‘yung deficit. Iyong paglaki ba ng deficit magiging negative factor kapag ni-rate sa atin o ni-rate tayo nitong mga credit ratings agecies?" Aquino said. —NB, GMA News

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