House opposition wants to suspend excise tax increases on fuel, oil

Mara Cepeda

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House opposition wants to suspend excise tax increases on fuel, oil
Opposition lawmakers argue suspending the excise tax increases on fuel and oil products will help curb rising inflation

MANILA, Philippines – Opposition lawmakers filed a joint resolution seeking to suspend the excise tax increases on fuel and oil products in a bid to address the soaring prices of basic goods. 

On Monday, September 10, the following legislators filed House Joint Resolution (HJR) No. 27 which would “immediately suspend the excise tax increases and scheduled increases on fuel and oil products” stipulated under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law:

  • Gary Alejano, Magdalo
  • Teddy Baguilat Jr, Ifugao
  • Bolet Banal, Quezon City 3rd District
  • Jose Christopher Belmonte, Quezon City 6th District
  • Emmanuel Billones, Capiz 1st District
  • Gabriel Bordado, Camarines Sur 3rd District
  • Arlene Brosas, Gabriela Women’s Party
  • Ariel Casilao, Anakpawis
  • France Castro, ACT Teachers
  • Raul Daza, Northern Samar 1st District
  • Sarah Elago, Kabataan
  • Edgar Erice, Calocaan City 2nd District
  • Edcel Lagman, Albay 1st District
  • Miro Quimbo, Marikina 2nd District
  • Tom Villarin, Akbayan
  • Carlos Zarate, Bayan Muna

In their joint resolution, the opposition lawmakers said the 6.4% inflation in August coupled with the ongoing rice shortage are a big burden on Filipino families. (READ: House approves Trabaho bill on 3rd reading)

“We have been witness to the adverse and cruel effects of the high inflation rate battering Filipino families like the spiraling of prices of commodities both in markets and talipapas as well as in supermarkets, groceries, and sari-sari stores, families subsisting on instant noddles, and mothers enduring long hours queuing up for a chance to purcahse 3 kilos of NFA (National Food Authority) rice,” said the legislators. 

They said the economic managers of President Rodrigo Duterte “must exhaust all complementary measures” to help ease inflation. 

“Now therefore, be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved by the House of Representatives, and the Senate concurring, to immediately suspend the excise tax increases and scheduled increases on fuel or oil products as imposed by Section 43 of RA (Republic Act) No. 10963, otherwise known as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) to stem inflation,” said HJR 27. 

Vice President Leni Robredo and Liberal Party (LP) lawmakers earlier called for the passage of the bill that would suspend the excise tax on fuel imposed by the TRAIN Law. The measure has been filed by Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV at the Senate and by Quimbo at the House. 

On Monday, Majority Leader Rolando Andaya also said the House leadership will ask the National Price Coordinating Council to submit a report on what it has done so far to address the rising prices of goods. 

Just like a bill, a joint resolution requires the approval of both the House and the Senate and the signature of President. HJR 27 will have the full force and effect of the law if both chambers approve it on 3rd and final reading and if President Rodrigo Duterte signs it.

Read a full copy of HJR 27 below:

 

– Rappler.com

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Mara Cepeda

Mara Cepeda specializes in stories about politics and local governance. She covers the Office of the Vice President, the Senate, and the Philippine opposition. She is a 2021 fellow of the Asia Journalism Fellowship and the Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship of the UN. Got tips? Email her at mara.cepeda@rappler.com or tweet @maracepeda.