Alejano files resolution seeking review of TRAIN Law

Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano has filed a resolution seeking a review of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, primarily its impact on the daily lives of Filipinos who have been affected by the price increase of basic commodities brought about by its implementation.

In House Resolution 1838, Alejano called for a review of the recently-enacted law in order to recommend its continued implementation or suspension, and also to come up with policies that would ease its negative impact on poor Filipinos.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Alejano pointed out that poor people are hard-hit by the price increases related to the implementation of the law, contrary to what the Duterte administration had promised.

"After the implementation of the TRAIN Law, and according also to the survey ng Pulse Asia conducted last March 23 to 28, halos lahat ng Pilipino, 98 percent ay nakakaramdam ng pagtaas ng presyo especially doon sa pagkain at saka sa beverages. Ito ang reality on the ground," he said.

Alejano also said the adverse effects of the TRAIN Law are reflected on the personal income of workers.

He said middle class employees, for one, are not greatly affected by the increase in price of basic commodities, as their take-home pay has also increased. But those in the informal economy do not benefit from the tax exemption, and thus are affected by the price increases.

Alejano also pointed out that the inflation rate has gone beyond what was projected by President Rodrigo Duterte's economic managers.

"During the deliberation, sinasabi ng economic managers ng Duterte administration, hindi raw ito lalampas ng four percent. But right now, 4.5 percent na tayo," he said.

He also took exception on the claim that the proceeds from the TRAIN Law will be used in the government's "Build, Build, Build" program.

"Doon sa discussion sa Senado at pati sa Kongreso, it was found out that only 16 percent will be used in the proceeds of the TRAIN in the Build, Build, Build. Yun lang ang magagamit. And the remaining 84 percent will be sourced from foreign loans," he said.

These, among the other negative repercussions of the TRAIN Law, are enough reasons for the House of Representative to conduct a review of the impact of its implementation, Alejano said.

"It is also important ti assess how we can improve the efficiency of the agencies of the government who are mandated to generate revenue for the continued delivery of services and to initiate development in order to prevent the government from further initiating policies that would harm and cause additional burden to the people," he said in the resolution.

"It is equally important for the government to recommend programs or policies that would further mitigate or cushion the negative impact of the TRAIN Law against the poor," he added.

Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate also said he would file a bill that will repeal the "anti-people" taxes in the TRAIN Law, pointing that many consumers are already reeling from its "adverse and dissipating" effects. — RSJ, GMA News