Opposition solons hope Arroyo would defer 2% VAT hike
Opposition solons hope Arroyo would defer 2% VAT hike
AS THE country is facing the New Year with high hopes, members of the opposition have also expressed optimism that the Arroyo administration would consider the deferment of the imposition of two percent increase in the value-added tax (VAT) which is scheduled to be imposed either by the last week of January or first week of February.
Iloilo Representative Rolex Suplico said he is not losing hope that the Arroyo administration would consider the plight of small Filipinos who will suffer additional tax burden, which is expected to be passed on them by the business sector.
“It is no doubt that our small people will be the ones to bear this additional taxes as traders and businessmen are expected to pass this on to the public,” he said.
The congressman issued the appeal as Energy Secretary Rapahel Lotilla urged the business sector not to pass the additional two percent VAT.
Lotilla believed that the business sector could easily absorb the two percent increase in the VAT, thus should no longer pass it on to the public.
Suplico, at the same time, urged members of Congress to work on his proposal to amend the newly expanded VAT (e-VAT) law, which he described as “anti-people".
More: sunstar.com.ph