Chiz: Marcos tax measures ‘won’t be a slam dunk’ in the Senate

Senator Francis Escudero on Thursday warned that the tax measures proposed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. might not have an easy time in the Senate, if these are seen to “cause misery to an already overtaxed people.”

Escudero, member of the Senate ways and means committee, said the tax proposals will not be a “slam dunk” in the upper chamber and “may be even blocked.”

The revenue measures may also be “doomed,” especially if the administration team that will push for it “is the same crew that did a poor job in explaining the Maharlika Investment Fund,” he quipped.

"At this time, selling taxes to Filipinos is like asking an Eskimo to buy a freezer," Escudero added.

He emphasized that by pushing for these tax measures in the time of high prices and low wages, the Marcos administration will be putting its huge political capital on the line.

"One, we have become an e-commerce republic. So, expect a massive pushback when you start taxing any good added on the cart," the senator said, referring to a bill which will slap taxes on online purchases.

He also tagged the plan to raise motor vehicle registration fees “as one that will also face roadblocks as car owners are already taxed twice daily at the pump when gas has a [Value-Added Tax] on top of the excise tax.”

Escudero also brought up the increases in the toll fees, or what he called “the price motorists pay for the government's failure to fix public roads.”

For Escudero, what will make this acceptable to the public is the good messaging which will tell the people that while these proposals are painful, these are necessary.

"Kaya dapat ang ipapadalang mga taong magbebenta ng isang mahirap lunukin na produkto ay 'yung hindi mahina sa pagpapaliwanag," he said.

Escudero said that as a courtesy to Marcos. he will listen to the proposals and study its merits.

“Because in the Senate, every idea must be given its days,” he said.

GMA News Online has reached out to Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno and to Senate ways and means committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian for comment. — BM, GMA Integrated News