Tax on text bucked

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Francis Escudero yesterday objected to the renewed proposals to collect tax on text, primarily because this was supposedly pushed by International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde during her recent visit to the country. 

Escudero said the proposed tax on text would hit a sizable portion of the population, especially those belonging to the lower socio-economic strata.        

He said around 90 percent of mobile phone users in the country are pre-paid subscribers, the usage of which is heavy on texting.  “Instead of providing relief to the public, this twisted idea of taxing text is an additional burden to the masses,” he said.        

The proposed tax on text has been made before and was met with widespread opposition from various sectors. 

Escudero said that he would personally block the proposal if ever it is introduced or taken up in the Senate. 

“If at all, why not set our sights on taxing luxury goods such as motor vehicles and jewelry instead of taxing text messages?” he said.    

But more than the revival of the proposal, Escudero expressed his resentment over the statement issued by Lagarde that the tax on text is a good revenue measure because it has a very broad base.