http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro/20100216met5.html
If Arroyo puts her mind to it, she can sign the bill exempting senior citizens from the 12 percent expanded value added tax (eVAT) in 60 seconds.
This was United Opposition (UNO) vice presidential candidate Jejomar Binay’s reminder to the Palace as he debunked its excuse that Arroyo is too busy to sign the measure.
A Palace official said Arroyo was preoccupied with her “legacy tours” and has yet to find time to sign the bill exempting the elderly from the eVAT,
Binay earlier rejected a proposal from the Department of Finance (DoF) to increase senior citizens’ discount to 30 percent, while retaining the 12 percent eVAT on their purchases.
“If she can spend hours in Pampanga campaigning for a House seat then what is one minute of her day which she can set aside for the signing of this bill?” Binay said in scoring anew Arroyo’s seeming reluctance to put her signature on a measure that will bring relief to 5.6 million seniors.
“She can even sign the law on the expressway to Pampanga,” Binay said, referring to the chief executive’s weekly sorties to her Pampanga district to campaign for a House seat which she plans to use as springboard to the House Speakership.
“One minute of your time, Arroyo, for a measure that will help benefit millions for the rest of their lives,” Binay said.
The opposition leader also suggested that Arroyo can just forego the signing ceremony traditionally reserved for a major legislation just like what she had done with the 2010 national budget which she signed in her Palace study last week sans fanfare.
“She can do the same with the senior citizens’ bill. All it needs is a pen, a table, one minute of her time, and a heart that beats for people in the sunset of their lives. The important thing is that she signs on the dotted line,” Binay said.
“Our senior citizens have waited long enough for Congress to pass this bill, it is the height of insensitivity when the national government wants our senior citizens to wait again for these discounts, which are actually a drop in the bucket compared to what the national government looses to tax leaks and smuggling,” he said.
The President’s final action on the proposed expanded Senior Citizens Act (ESCA) will be one that aims at promoting the best interest of people nationwide.
Deputy presidential spokesman Charito Planas gave this assurance as public clamor continued for Arroyo to sign such legislative proposal which exempts senior citizens nationwide from paying the entire 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on goods and services they avail of.
Proponents of this proposal are seeking full VAT exemption so senior citizens can enjoy the full 20-percent discount on such goods and services.
Planas noted since the DoF and the Department of Social Welfare and Development already commented on the proposed ESCA, people can expect Arroyo to act on the matter accordingly.
“The final output will be one that can meet senior citizens’ needs,” Planas said.
She clarified such output will also promote welfare of people in general.
Having a lower revenue haul will affect services the government extends to senior citizens and other people nationwide, Planas warned. “Government runs on revenues it collects,” she noted.
This was United Opposition (UNO) vice presidential candidate Jejomar Binay’s reminder to the Palace as he debunked its excuse that Arroyo is too busy to sign the measure.
A Palace official said Arroyo was preoccupied with her “legacy tours” and has yet to find time to sign the bill exempting the elderly from the eVAT,
Binay earlier rejected a proposal from the Department of Finance (DoF) to increase senior citizens’ discount to 30 percent, while retaining the 12 percent eVAT on their purchases.
“If she can spend hours in Pampanga campaigning for a House seat then what is one minute of her day which she can set aside for the signing of this bill?” Binay said in scoring anew Arroyo’s seeming reluctance to put her signature on a measure that will bring relief to 5.6 million seniors.
“She can even sign the law on the expressway to Pampanga,” Binay said, referring to the chief executive’s weekly sorties to her Pampanga district to campaign for a House seat which she plans to use as springboard to the House Speakership.
“One minute of your time, Arroyo, for a measure that will help benefit millions for the rest of their lives,” Binay said.
The opposition leader also suggested that Arroyo can just forego the signing ceremony traditionally reserved for a major legislation just like what she had done with the 2010 national budget which she signed in her Palace study last week sans fanfare.
“She can do the same with the senior citizens’ bill. All it needs is a pen, a table, one minute of her time, and a heart that beats for people in the sunset of their lives. The important thing is that she signs on the dotted line,” Binay said.
“Our senior citizens have waited long enough for Congress to pass this bill, it is the height of insensitivity when the national government wants our senior citizens to wait again for these discounts, which are actually a drop in the bucket compared to what the national government looses to tax leaks and smuggling,” he said.
The President’s final action on the proposed expanded Senior Citizens Act (ESCA) will be one that aims at promoting the best interest of people nationwide.
Deputy presidential spokesman Charito Planas gave this assurance as public clamor continued for Arroyo to sign such legislative proposal which exempts senior citizens nationwide from paying the entire 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on goods and services they avail of.
Proponents of this proposal are seeking full VAT exemption so senior citizens can enjoy the full 20-percent discount on such goods and services.
Planas noted since the DoF and the Department of Social Welfare and Development already commented on the proposed ESCA, people can expect Arroyo to act on the matter accordingly.
“The final output will be one that can meet senior citizens’ needs,” Planas said.
She clarified such output will also promote welfare of people in general.
Having a lower revenue haul will affect services the government extends to senior citizens and other people nationwide, Planas warned. “Government runs on revenues it collects,” she noted.
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