Robredo backs suspension of excise tax on diesel, kerosene

BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur — Vice President and presidential candidate Leni Robredo has called for the suspension of implementation of excise taxes on diesel and kerosene to aid the sectors in need amid the unabated fuel price increases, saying this should be done as soon as possible on top of fuel subsidy and other aid programs.

Robredo said such suspension on excise tax on diesel and kerosene can be implemented by the Executive department as provided under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) law.

"Yes, kaya siya nakalagay sa TRAIN law para agaran ang pagresponde ng pamahalaan na di na kinakailangan bumalik sa Kongreso (That is provided for under the Train law so the government can respond to the needs of the people without needing congressional action)," she told reporters.

"May recommendations kung paano i ro-roll out, parang iyong graduated [na] taxes, depende kung ano iyong users. Ang suggestion eh ay iyong excise tax patuloy pa rin sa gasolina pero sa sa diesel at kerosene, wala na, para ma socialize [ang rate]," she added.

(The suggestion is we address this depending on who is using the oil. The suggestion is for the excise tax to still be implemented on gasoline and remove it on diesel and kerosene for us to have a socialized rate.)

Robredo also said fuel subsidies and other financial assistance should be released before worse comes to worst.

"Maraming paraan para makatulong sa ating mga kababayang nahihirapan. Nariyan iyong Pantawid Pasada Program, pagbigay ng ayuda sa mga sector ng labis na naapektuhan ng pagtaas ng presyo," she said.

(There are a lot of ways to help such as fuel subsidies and financial assistance to those affected by the rising prices of commodities.)

"Iyong lahat, dapat madesisyunan with urgency. Halimbawa, iyong pagbibigay ng ayuda, kailangan gawin na agad iyon bago pa man iyong tama [ay maging] grabe. Kasi ang resulta nito pag di tayo nakapag-aksyon ng mas mabilis, kawawa na naman ang ating mga kababayan," she added.

(The government should act with urgency. Financial aid should be immediately available before it makes a turn for the worst. Because if we don't move fast, we will be leaving the public at risk.) — RSJ, GMA News