Sen. Loren Legarda Calls for Basket of Good News for Filipinos amid the “Crisis”
LOREN LEGARDA – The Senator questioned the 12% VAT implemented in canned goods and sardines citing the same tax in luxury bags.
The Philippines is currently under a State of National Energy Emergency as declared by President Bongbong Marcos amid the soaring oil prices in the country. The pump prices in the country have increased thrice bigtime since the war in the Middle East erupted.
The Middle East war happened after the United States and Israel launched joint airstrikes against Iran. According to U.S. Pres. Donald Trump, he attacked Iran to stop the country from acquiring nuclear power and allegedly destroying the Middle East and the world.
Not only the U.S., the Israel, and Iran are affected by the ongoing war but as well as several nations across the globe. In the Philippines, countless Filipinos are currently struggling with the high pump prices in the country despite Malacañang claiming that the country has enough supply of the basic needs.
Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro previously said that there is no need for panic buying. Pres. Bongbong Marcos also previously told the people that there is no need for hoarding as the country has enough food and petroleum supplies.
Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin also claimed that there is a steady and manageable supply of fuel in the Philippines. According to her, they are doing their best to increase the supply of the country amid the ongoing Middle East war.
Recently, amid the situation, a hearing was held in the Senate and Sen. Loren Legarda questioned some implementation of the Value Added Tax (VAT). Her remarks came amid the pursuit to hear about the efforts of the government to help the people amid the crisis.
Based on a post of News5, Sen. Loren Legarda questioned the 12% VAT in sardines and noodles. The Senator stressed that the same tax is implemented in luxury bags that come with huge price tags.
“Bakit may 12% VAT sa noodles at sa sardinas, eh 12% VAT din sa imported na mga bag na hundred or two hundred thousand? It does not make sense,” Legarda said.
Sen. Loren Legarda stressed that it does not make sense to her that the same VAT is implemented among the basic commodities and the luxury bags. She cited situations like crisis.
“Sa basic commodities na kinakain ng lower income group ay hindi ba dapat patawan ng 12% na VAT? Subukan natin sa panahon ng krisis at i-compute natin ‘yung mawawala. Sasabihin na naman niyo, ‘Malaking mawawala. It does not make sense to me that binibigyan natin ng 12% VAT ang luxury bags na hundreds of thousands. Luxury goods… Pero ang sardinas at noodles na mura ay may 12% VAT pa rin,” the Senator said.
Sen. Loren Legarda called for immediate efforts from the government that will be felt by the people amid the situation. Based on the post, she stressed that the people must be given a basket of good news which may include the implementation of excise tax and the removal of the 12% VAT on the canned goods.
“Sa panahon ng krisis, papanu kasi ‘yun po ang gusto naming makita. Ano ang agarang mararamdaman na gagawin? Kasi ‘yung kaninang pinag-usapan na excise tax, eh 30 days kailangan na P80 mabi-breach, 30 days. Eh hindi pa nga napipirmahan ‘yung batas so antagal,” she expressed.
Amid the situation in the Philippines now, Sen. Loren Legarda slammed the Marcos Jr. administration over the suspension of fuel excise tax.