NUBE rejects BIR quid pro quo condition

MANILA, Philippines - The National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) has rejected Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) proposal for an adjustment in the value added tax (VAT) rate as a quid pro quo to the passage of bills in Congress that will reduce income taxes for the working class. NUBE national president Jose P. Umali, Jr. called the proposal as “heartless as it will increase the tax burden on the poor who pay no income tax since they only earn a minimum wage or even much less.” Instead of shifting the burden on the majority, the government should rescind the grant of the widely publicized 10-percent reduction in the license and other fees that Pagcor has given to the billionaire owners of resorts and gambling casinos. Another way the government can make up for the reduction in revenue from income tax is to stop smuggling, both technical and outright. The NUBE has earlier thrown its support behind proposals in Congress reducing income taxes for the working population.