By Ben R. Rosario and Vanne Elaine P. Terrazola
The Senate and House of Representatives have ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act which aims to produce more revenues for the government by raising excise taxes on fuel, sugar-sweetened beverages, and automobiles, among others.
Of the 20 senators present, only Panfilo Lacson, Riza Hontiveros, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Bam Aquino opposed the approval of the TRAIN.
Voting in favor of TRAIN were Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and Senators Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Franklin Drilon, JV Ejercito, Francis Escudero, Sherwin Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Gringo Honasan, Loren Legarda, Grace Poe, Ralph Recto, Vicente Sotto, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, and Miguel Zubiri.
On a quick “ayes” and “nays” vote, House Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu declared that there was unanimous assent to the report that came in at past 10 p.m. and with only a handful of congressmen present.
