Senators are upbeat that tax reform measures would finally be approved this year after President Duterte gave his marching orders to Congress to prioritize the bill lowering income and corporate taxes in his State-of-the-Nation Address last Monday.
“There will be a very good chance that this would be approved. Of course, it is being supported by the President, and he is a popular President, then on the part of the legislators, may tendency sila to support,” Sen. Cynthia A. Villar told reporters in an interview.
Villar also said she doesn’t see state economic managers, like the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Department of Finance, blocking these proposals, unlike in the previous Aquino administration, since the heads of these agencies are supportive of the President’s directive.
“I don’t think that would be logical for his appointees to block his programs,” Villar said.
Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara also said he believes the President hit a “home run” when he mentioned his administration’s plan of pursuing tax reforms that can foster investment and job creation.
“I am 101 percent behind him on this. These should give momentum to the push to reform our tax system,” Angara said.
Should he be given another chance to head the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, the senator said he would prioritize passage of these measures. (Hannah L. Torregoza)