Alejano renews call to review TRAIN Law amid fuel price hikes

Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano on Sunday renewed his call for an immediate review of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law amid the rising fuel prices.

“We saw a big-time oil price hike last week which is the biggest soar this year so far. It is expected that this would continue with Department of Energy warning the public of possible hikes in the coming weeks," Alejano said in a statement.

"Given this scenario, it is urgent that we review TRAIN and if necessary suspend the implementation of the excise tax,” he added.

Alejano filed House Resolution 1838 earlier this month seeking for a review of the TRAIN Law following its inflationary impact with a rate of 4.5 percent, higher than the 4 percent prediction of the economic managers of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Alejano is also calling for a delay in the deliberation on the second package of the tax reform law pending the review for the first package.

“We have yet to assess the impact of the first package. We cannot rush into the second one as this may complicate the present situation," he said.

"Let us resolve first the existing questions and issues on TRAIN before proceeding with the implementation of the second package,” he added.

The lawmaker, meanwhile, took a swipe at those who overlooked the negative implications of the TRAIN Law despite earlier warnings.

“There were early warnings regarding the effects of TRAIN but were brushed aside maybe due to assurances that there are mechanisms to cushion the said effects. However, we are seeing that safety nets are still promises while the poor are presently being buttressed by high prices of commodities,” he said

“What must be done now is to address the problems and stop denying that TRAIN contributed to the crisis. If the government will keep on defending TRAIN, it will not be able to see the realities Filipino families are facing now under the Duterte tax plan,” he added.

House Committee on Ways and Means chair Dakila Carlo Cua has already said he is open to suspending the imposition of excise tax on fuel products to alleviate the high prices brought about by the TRAIN Law.

He said, however, that the implementation of the law should not be suspended overall so as not to stop its beneficial provisions. —ALG, GMA News