Duterte only kidding Angara, now seems open to tweak tax reform bill

President Rodrigo Duterte's remark to Senator Sonny Angara on the tax reform proposal was just said in jest, Senate Majority Leader Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said Wednesday.

In an interview on radio dzBB, Sotto said that the tax reform package was discussed during their meeting with Duterte in Malacañang on Tuesday.

"Sabi niya kay Sonny Angara, 'Binibiro lang kita.' Sabi [naman ni] Sonny. 'Hindi ko naman po sineseryoso,' " Sotto said.

Sotto said the meeting was attended by him, Angara, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, Senators Francis "Chiz" Escudero, Panfilo Lacson, Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan, and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.

Duterte during his second State of the Nation Address called on the Senate to support and pass the tax reform proposal in full and with haste.

The Chief Executive then singled out Angara, chairman of the Senate tax and ways and ways committee, and called him out for not clapping when he made his pitch for the administration's initiative.

“Ayaw man magpalakpak, ah. Pati si ano wala. They are not clapping. Si Angara ayaw din mag-clap,” Duterte said.

Angara earlier brushed off this as a joke but also admitted that he feels a little "threatened."

During the meeting in Malacañang, however, Sotto said that Duterte now appears to be open to tweaking the tax reform package as opposed to his earlier appeal to pass it in "full" and with "haste."

"Nung nagusap na kami tungkol doon, ang dating sa akin, personal reading ko kay Presidente ay payag siya sa tweak, pumayag siya na likutin namin yung sinasabing full. Yung he wants to pass it in full - hindi, hindi," Sotto said.

"Pumayag siyang likutin namin na hindi masyadong masakit ang dating sa ating kababayan at makikinabang yung mga pinangakuan niya nung eleksyon, nung kampanya na aalisin yung income tax," he added.

The proposed tax reform measure of the Duterte administration is aiming to lower income taxes while limiting VAT exemptions, adjusting excise taxes on oil and automobiles, and imposing new taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).

Several senators have expressed opposition to adjusting excise taxes on oil, citing its impact on the sale of goods and services, and on transportation fares. Some have also voiced out concerns about the lifting of VAT exemptions on low-cost and socialized housing. — MDM/KVD, GMA News