Win Gatchalian says PH gov't studying suspension of pension premiums

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate finance committee, said Tuesday the government is looking into suspending pension premiums for the middle class.

"May proposal tayo para magbigay din ng targeted na subsidy sa ating mga middle class (We have a proposal to give targeted subsidy for the middle class)," he said on Super Radyo dzBB.

"Ang aming proposal, i-absorb ng gobyerno, at ginawa natin ito noong pandemya—i-absorb ng gobyerno 'yung pension premiums na binabayad ng mga nagtatrabaho sa gobyerno, nagtatrabaho sa pribadong kumpanya. Nagbabayad sila ng pension premium sa SSS at GSIS," he added, referring to the government-run Social Security System for private sector employees and professionals, and the Government Service Insurance System for state workers.

(Our proposal is for the government to absorb it, and we did this during the pandemic, for the government to absorb the pension premiums being paid by those working in government and those working in private companies. They pay pension premiums to the SSS and GSIS.)

According to Gatchalian, around 9% to 10% may be returned, depending on the individual's income.

"Kung ikaw ay kumikita ng let's say P30,000, babalik sa iyo mga siguro between P2,000 to P3,000," he said.

(If you are earning let's say P30,000, then between P2,000 to P3,000 will be returned to you.) 

Gatchalian also said the duration will depend on the conflict in the Middle East.

Excise tax

Meanwhile, Gatchalian expressed hope that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. would also suspend the excise tax on diesel, noting that this is more commonly used by public utility vehicles (PUVs).

"Umaasa ako na ma-announce din today 'yung pag-suspend din ng diesel. Maraming umaasa doon sa pagsuspende ng excise tax ng diesel, lalo na ang diesel ang pinaka-popular na fuel of choice ng mga transportation, logistics, ng mga jeeps, buses, at saka mga truck," he said.

(I am hoping that today they will also announce the suspension of diesel. Many are hoping for the suspension of the excise tax on diesel, especially since diesel is the most popular fuel of choice for transportation, logistics, jeepneys, buses, and trucks.)

This came after Marcos announced that he had already removed the excise tax on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene amid high fuel prices in the country.

However, Marcos favors continuing to look into the possible effects of suspending the excise tax for gasoline.

In a separate interview on Balitanghali, Gatchalian said he has asked the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) to investigate the surge of fuel prices in the country.

"Wala tayong inaakusahan, wala tayong sinasabi na may ginawang masama. Ang sinasabi lang natin, dapat may transparency. At sa ganitong panahon ay kumukuha ng datos ang PCC at ang DOE para mabigyan tayo ng assurance na nasa ayos ang pagbebenta ng petrolyo," he said.

(We are not accusing anyone, we are not saying that anyone has done something wrong. What we are saying is that there should be transparency. And at this time, the PCC and the DOE are gathering data to give us assurance that the sale of petroleum is in order.)

He said he saw a discrepancy in the movement of fuel prices in the country compared to the global market.

"'Yun ang nakita naming discrepancy at kakaiba dahil kung bibili ka ng mas mababa, dapat ibenta mo rin ng mas mababa. Ubusin mo muna ‘yung lumang presyo bago ka magtaas ng presyo," he said.

(That is the discrepancy we saw and what was unusual, because if you buy at a lower price, you should also sell at a lower price. You should first exhaust the stock purchased at lower rates before raising retail prices.)

Gatchalian said that those found guilty of profiteering may be penalized.

Adjust the strategy

For his part, Senate President Pro Tempore Senator Panfilo Lacson said the government should look at ways to ease the burden on those directly affected.

"Baka mas... may mas matugunan pa 'yung mismong apektado kung sakaling iibahin 'yung strategy. 'Yun lang naman ang sinasabi ko," he said.

(Maybe it would better address those directly affected if the strategy were changed. That is all I am saying.)

He also cited the situation in Taiwan.

"Ang increase lang nila nasa mga NT$2.50. Bakit? Ang ginawa ng gobyerno, sa halip na 'yung commuters or 'yung transport sector ang pumasan, sinubsidize ng government 'yung spike," he said.

(They only increased it by around NT$2.50. Why? What the government did was, instead of the commuters or the transport sector bearing it, the government subsidized the spike.)

"I think we should also learn lessons from other countries. Sa atin, parang nahirati tayo sa ayuda (It's like we grew accustomed to dole outs)," he added.    

Gatchalian, however, said the government is conducting targeted subsidy.

Lift VAT, too

In a separate statement, Senator Raffy Tulfo said the suspension of excise tax on petroleum products is not enough to ease the burden of Filipinos.

Tulfo, during a hearing, suggested that the government should also remove value-added tax on petroleum to ease the burden of high prices.

"Pero actually, hindi po talaga mararamdaman ng mga tao po ito, itong 10%  reduction na excise tax (Actually, the people will not feel the effects of 10% reduction in excise tax)," the senator said.

"Mararamdaman po ito kung 'yung VAT (value-added tax) din ang aalisin din po natin. But if we remove excise tax sa mga gasolina, mararamdaman po ng konti 'yun ng mga may sasakyan. But 'yung mga nag-commute po, hindi nila mararamdaman po ito," he added.

(They will really feel it if we also remove VAT. But if we remove excise tax on gasoline, drivers may slightly feel its benefit, but those commuting will not.) — VDV, GMA News