Angara challenges presidentiables to take stand in tax issue reforms

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara challenged presidential candidates yesterday to take a stand on tax reforms as he lobbied for the passage of a measure that seeks lower individual income tax rates within the Aquino administration.

Angara, chairman of the Senate ways and means committee, noted that only Sen. Francis Escudero and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte have included this measure in their platform.

 “Sen. Chiz has called on the certification... Of all people, Mayor Duterte espoused this when he said those who receive salaries below P20,000 or P25,000, should not be taxed. So at least, it is clear that he will put this on the agenda,” Angara said in a weekly forum at the Senate.

 “These two who are running for higher office in 2016  have taken a position on this.   It takes a lot of courage to take positions even at this stage,” Angara noted.

Angara admitted he could not understand why the executive branch seemed cold to the idea when the measure would help boost the take home pay of the members of the working class.

 “Actually, that’s what I can not understand. Because some candidates are not rating so well, but this is an issue that resonates with the public,” he said.

 The Department of Finance is against the approval of the measure because it would affect the revenues of the government.

Angara hopes that the other presidentiables like  Vice President Jejomar Binay and administration standard bearer, Interior Sec. Manuel Roxas II would look into the measure.