Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The Lighthouse that Brought Darkness
Mr. President, Distinguished colleagues:
Today, I rise on a matter of personal and collective privilege.
Two years ago, the country was caught in a political maelstrom brought about by revelations arising from voice tapes taken of a man and a woman, the identities of whom have since been laid public.
It all started when on June 6, 2005, no less than Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, in his office in Malacañang itself, bared two compact disc recordings, one probably real, the other obviously doctored, where a man and a woman’s conversations were quite audible.
The resulting uproar reached higher decibels when three days after, a press conference was held in Makati City by the former Deputy Director of the National Bureau of Investigation, Atty. Samuel Ong, who claimed to have the “master tape” of the mysterious voice recordings with highly indecent conversations relative to the 2004 presidential elections.
In that press conference was presented the story of how operatives of the Intelligence Service Armed Forces of the Philippines tapped the cell phone conversations of several people, including some very powerful personages in and out of the current administration. As you will see in the succeeding presentation, it was not just Virgilio Garcillano who became the subject of intense technical surveillance operations by the ISAFP. There were many more from both sides of the political fence. Central to the revelations of Atty. Samuel Ong was the persona of Vidal Doble Jr., the man who was supposed to tell the nation how the cell phone conversations of the high and the mighty were eavesdropped upon, and recorded for posterity.
Unfortunately for the Filipino people, that was not to be. For two years and running, the nation has been kept in the dark about the truth behind “Hello Garci” because the man who knew how conversations were illegally tapped for political and other purposes, could not speak out. His family was kidnapped in Kidapawan, North Cotabato, brought to Manila, detained in the basement of the official residence of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines inside Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City to which he himself was to be brought later. Thus was his silence on the issue guaranteed by the terror of fear for his family. When he was haled before the House of Representatives as a resource person, Vidal Doble Jr was obviously not a free man.
In an effort, Mr. President, to seek closure to an issue that continues to hound the politics of this nation, with repercussions on the legitimacy of the mandate of the present leadership, I present today the sworn statement of Vidal Doble Jr., who has finally found the courage of his convictions, and will tell the people, through us in this august chamber, freely, the whole unvarnished truth – the what’s, when’s, where’s, who’s and how’s of the “Hello Garci” tapes. With your indulgence, Mr President, distinguished colleagues please allow me to share with you some excerpts from Doble’s testimony.
Mr. President, esteemed members of this Senate of the People of the Philippines:
This is extremely alarming - that elements of the ISAFP could eavesdrop with ease on the conversations of whomsoever they choose, or whomsoever they are ordered to spy upon.
The targets of Project Lighthouse were not terrorists by any stretch of its definition. In any case, Congress had not yet passed any anti-terrorism law at the time of the commission of these crimes.
The intelligence project itself is a paradox. For, it was not the “lighthouse” that we know. It was the “lighthouse” that brought darkness into this benighted land.
But not only had the ISAFP been ordered to do its dastardly deed; no less than the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines became party to covering-up for the crimes they committed by threatening vital witnesses who sought to tell the truth.
Again, with your indulgence, let me present in graphic form how the objects of their spying desire had been eavesdropped upon, how “Project Lighthouse” went about like a Big Brother listening to, and recording, the conversations between Little Sister and an elections commissioner named Virgilio Garcillano. This representation would have wanted to present a live wiretap demonstration before the chamber, but for RA 4200, the Anti Wire-Tapping Act. Besides, I need the assistance of a telecom service provider.
Notice how their technique is as simple as it is fraught with the most fearful of implications. What is frightening, Mr. President is the reality that we have all remained vulnerable while using any type of telecommunications equipment. It only takes a service provider willing to cooperate and conspire with whoever has knowledge in basic electronic surveillance.
Step 1: A cell phone conversation is coursed through the cell site of the service provider.
Step 2: The service provider splits the signal and relays it to a cell phone unit that can record voice calls (in this case, a Nokia 3600 programmed for the purpose by the service provider).
Step 3: The conversation is recorded as a digital file to the duplicate cell phone’s memory card, and is transferred to a computer.
Step 4: The file is then transferred to a cassette, CD or other media; in this case, a cassette tape… and, there we go… we have the infamous and notorious “Hello Garci” tapes.
Now that we all know how simple a cell phone wiretap operation is being undertaken, isang payo lamang ang maibabahagi ko sa inyong lahat – kung may gagawin kayong kalokohan, kausapin na lang ninyo ng personal ang kinalolokohan ninyo.
We are indebted to Mr. Vidal Doble Jr. for finally surfacing to give us the truth, about how “Project Lighthouse” brought the nation into the dark, applying clandestine acts to achieve sinister ends. Although he was prevented by fear for his safety and that of his family who were virtually kidnapped by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, detained at the basement of the quarters of the then Chief of Staff of the AFP, Efren Abu and altogether detained for years in its restrictive custody, he has now come to bare the truth, so that the Senate investigations into the farce that was the elections of 2004 can be put to its closure.
It comes at a time when the institution that has been entrusted by the people and the Constitution to guarantee clean, honest, and orderly elections, indeed to guarantee the fundamental right of people in a democracy to freely choose their leaders, has once again failed miserably in the recently concluded 2007 mid-term elections.
When will they ever learn? Will they ever change?
The characters mentioned in the “Hello Garci” tapes of 2005 have not been subjected to any proper investigation, much less by the COMELEC itself. They have not been prosecuted for crimes against the sovereign electorate. In fact, they have remained in the woodwork of the Commission on Elections.
Not only that, Mr. President, distinguished colleagues. Some of them have been promoted or reshuffled, the better to ensure that elections will remain unclean, dishonest and incredible. Thus we saw the spectacle of Lintang Bedol obfuscating and lying in an attempt to explain away the cheating. We have seen how votes were padded by PES Lilian Radam in South Cotabato, and we have seen how the special elections in Lanao del Sur would have been fabricated shamelessly, had it not been for the alertness of media people. We wondered how a character straight out of “Hello Garci”, a Ray Sumalipao of Lanao was promoted from provincial election supervisor to regional director after being implicated in the “Hello Garci” controversy.
If Doble had been allowed to validate the truth behind “Hello Garci” in 2005, would the likes of Maguindanao Provincial Election Supervisor Lintang Bedol still exist in the rolls of the Commission on Elections?
Dahil hindi nabigyan ng pagkakataon noon si Doble na maibunyag ang katotohanan, nakuha pa ring linlangin ni Lintang Bedol at ng kanyang mga kauri sa COMELEC ang sambayanan nitong nakarang halalan.
Makakita pa kaya tayo ng malinis na sistema ng halalan sa loob ng nag-iisang buhay nating ito sa balat ng mundo?
Kailan pa magkakaroon ang sambayanan ng tunay na pag-asa na ang karapatang pumili ng mga mamumuno sa kanila ay hindi dadaanin sa pag-iimbot ng iilang may maitim na budhi at halang ang kaluluwa?
Will we ever see a COMELEC that knows how to count the truth, Mr President?
I am now posing this challenge to Commissioner Rene Sarmiento who, more than a month ago, with all noise and bravado called for the re-opening of the “Hello Garci” controversy.
Mr. Commissioner, I am telling you now - we have “Exhibit A” in the person of Vidal Doble Jr. I challenge you to make good on your promise. Hopefully, with your declared resolve, you could be instrumental in redeeming the COMELEC from its present image as a cheating machinery into a true guardian of democracy.
Something else deeply troubles this humble representation. What ought to be the noble profession of arms to protect the sovereign people has been so debased by the political leadership into becoming an instrument to thwart that sovereign will, and destroy the institutions of that same democracy that the soldiers of the Filipino people are sworn to uphold. Truly, nothing could be darker. Nothing could be more sinister.
It is in quest of this elusive imperative that we in the Senate must vow --- never again --- to allow cheating in future elections.
And, it is in quest of this elusive imperative that we must realize how “Project Lighthouse” brought our politics into abysmal depths of darkness.
With full knowledge, we should then see to it that those who must be charged should get their just desserts. And this abomination of electoral cheating must never again be the lay of the land.
Mr. President, I respectfully move that the Committee on National Defense and Security, which in the previous Congress had been prevented by a conspiracy of silence and double-dealing from ferreting out the truth on this dark episode in our political history, now resume its investigation in this Fourteenth Congress.
Mr. Vidal Doble Jr. has assured me that he would attend if summoned. And I humbly ask the Committee to summon the various other persons who together constituted the cast of characters in this privilege speech, including, but not limited to, Retired General Efren Abu, former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Bishop Socrates Villegas, Col. Paul Sumayo, Capt Frederick Rebong, and all the members of the teams that implemented “Project Lighthouse”. I dare Malacañang to invoke the constitutionally infirm EO 464 given the recent Supreme Court ruling. Your MC 108 has no basis in law. I challenge Malacañang to allow the truth to prevail. The Filipino people deserve nothing less.
Thank you, Mr. President.
***
'Political' Chess Board Catches Lacson's Attention
A chess set whose pieces were carved to resemble political personalities catches the attention of Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson during his stay at the Manor Hotel in Camp John Hay in Baguio City over the weekend.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Political Amnesty Needed for Fresh Start
If only to create a fresh start for the country, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson voiced support for a proposed political amnesty program, at least in principle.
“We badly need to start over from a fresh slate. To do this, we have to cleanse our political system so we can move on,” he said.
Lacson was reacting on reports that a bill is being initiated in the House of Representatives pushing for a general amnesty program upon so-called enemies of the State, covering political offenses committed by insurgents, military and Muslim rebels.
Lacson said he would closely study the details of the proposed House bill – from its declaration of policy to its coverage -- if only to make sure that it’s provisions are meant to achieve the ideal and desired goals.
Lacson said it is high time for politics to take the sidelines and give way to real public service and genuine reconciliation.
He expressed willingness to sponsor or co-sponsor a counterpart bill in the Senate after a thorough study of the said measure.
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“We badly need to start over from a fresh slate. To do this, we have to cleanse our political system so we can move on,” he said.
Lacson was reacting on reports that a bill is being initiated in the House of Representatives pushing for a general amnesty program upon so-called enemies of the State, covering political offenses committed by insurgents, military and Muslim rebels.
Lacson said he would closely study the details of the proposed House bill – from its declaration of policy to its coverage -- if only to make sure that it’s provisions are meant to achieve the ideal and desired goals.
Lacson said it is high time for politics to take the sidelines and give way to real public service and genuine reconciliation.
He expressed willingness to sponsor or co-sponsor a counterpart bill in the Senate after a thorough study of the said measure.
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Set Aside Investigation, Help Families of Slain Soldiers in Mindanao Conflict Instead
Saying now is not the right time to act as `armchair generals,’ Senator Panfilo M. Lacson today rebuffed calls for a legislative inquiry anew into the heightened armed conflict in Mindanao.
Lacson said that if lawmakers want to contribute to a solution in the Mindanao discord, they would be better off focusing on how to help the families left behind by the government troops slain in the clashes.
“It would be much better for lawmakers to keep quiet for now instead of commenting on the situation from the comfort of their air-conditioned offices. They may only be contributing to the problem by adding to the confusion,” he said.
He also said that while there is a proper time for lawmakers to call for an investigation into what caused the conflict, “now is definitely not the time.”
Besides, Lacson said it is the Armed Forces that has the expertise on tactical maneuvers to take in Mindanao at this time, and not senators or congressmen.
“Perhaps it would be better if lawmakers thought of ways to extend assistance to relatives left behind by those killed or injured in the line of duty. That is definitely better than commenting on something they know nothing about,” he said.
Lacson expressed hope that Senate Bill 195, which seeks to extend special financial assistance and benefits to the family or beneficiary of any police or military personnel or fireman killed or permanently incapacitated while in the performance of his or her duty, be expeditiously passed so as to alleviate the plight of soldiers’ families.
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Lacson said that if lawmakers want to contribute to a solution in the Mindanao discord, they would be better off focusing on how to help the families left behind by the government troops slain in the clashes.
“It would be much better for lawmakers to keep quiet for now instead of commenting on the situation from the comfort of their air-conditioned offices. They may only be contributing to the problem by adding to the confusion,” he said.
He also said that while there is a proper time for lawmakers to call for an investigation into what caused the conflict, “now is definitely not the time.”
Besides, Lacson said it is the Armed Forces that has the expertise on tactical maneuvers to take in Mindanao at this time, and not senators or congressmen.
“Perhaps it would be better if lawmakers thought of ways to extend assistance to relatives left behind by those killed or injured in the line of duty. That is definitely better than commenting on something they know nothing about,” he said.
Lacson expressed hope that Senate Bill 195, which seeks to extend special financial assistance and benefits to the family or beneficiary of any police or military personnel or fireman killed or permanently incapacitated while in the performance of his or her duty, be expeditiously passed so as to alleviate the plight of soldiers’ families.
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Saturday, August 11, 2007
Lacson Revives Probe of Error-Riddled Textbooks
No thanks to a haphazard “corrective” measure, the country’s public elementary and high school students are ending up victims of a flawed procurement program that yielded error-riddled textbooks, not once but twice.
On this note, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson sought to revive a Senate investigation into the government’s purchase of error-riddled textbooks, which he said threatens to throw away another P4.23 billion in taxpayers’ money over the next two years.
“The Department of Education (DepEd) issued a 21-page guide to correct errors in the flawed textbooks and teachers’ manuals. But according to my information, there was only one for every classroom. With each classroom having up to 100 students, I do not see how the students can get the wrong lesson on the flawed textbooks right,” Lacson said.
Last June 30, the DepEd released a 21-page “Errata Para sa Sibika 1-3 at HeKaSi 4-5 Batayang Aklat at Manwal ng Guro (Errata Guide for Sibika and HeKaSi teachers’ guide)” to correct some 269 errors in 11 textbooks and teachers’ manuals. It was to be issued to 43,000 elementary schools nationwide.
Yet, Lacson said even the guide itself “failed to substantially correct the errors found in the said textbooks,” adding any correction should have been made before the textbooks were published in the first place.
Worse, he said such a “corrective measure” was sneaky because it aimed to give the impression that the Arroyo government through the DepEd had done something to remedy the errors contained in the textbooks. “Panloloko na ito (This is outright deception),” he said.
Lacson filed Wednesday Senate Resolution No. 53, directing the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture to pick up where a Senate investigation into the matter left off earlier this year.
“This cycle of producing substandard textbooks to the detriment of Filipino students needs to be stopped before it completely erodes our country’s educational system,” Lacson said in his resolution.
“It is imperative that effective sanctions, including but not limited to imposition of fines, blacklisting and permanent disqualification from succeeding biddings, be imposed upon errant publishers who have a track record of producing low-quality and error-riddled textbooks,” he added.
The Senate started looking into alleged irregularities in the government’s procurement program for school textbooks, where firms affiliated with the Vibal Publishing Group cornered more than three-fourths of multibillion-peso textbook contracts.
Lacson stressed it is urgent that the investigation be started soonest, as the Department of Education (DepEd) plans to spend some P4.23 billion in taxpayers’ money to buy some 70.6 million textbooks for the next two years.
He lamented that glaring errors in the textbooks torpedoed the objective of the government’s “Education for All” program, where it spent some P3.42 billion on textbooks in 2005 and 2006 with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.
The government planned to publish 11.9 million textbooks under its “Education for All” program, while the World Bank financed the $200-million Second Social Expenditure Management Project (SEMP2), which aims to solve the shortage of textbooks in public schools.
Worse, he said a few “favored” publishing groups with interlocking sets of officers – some of them already disqualified locally but still allowed by the World Bank to bid – cornered 75.96 percent of P2.659 billion of P3.5-billion budget for textbooks-teachers’ manuals.
Lacson also noted that at a hearing on the matter during the 13th Congress, textbook-reform crusader Antonio Go already detailed the factual and conceptual errors he discovered in seven books published under the SEMP2 program.
“Mr. Go further added that around 50 percent of the published books were defective and riddled with factual, conceptual and language errors,” he said.
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On this note, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson sought to revive a Senate investigation into the government’s purchase of error-riddled textbooks, which he said threatens to throw away another P4.23 billion in taxpayers’ money over the next two years.
“The Department of Education (DepEd) issued a 21-page guide to correct errors in the flawed textbooks and teachers’ manuals. But according to my information, there was only one for every classroom. With each classroom having up to 100 students, I do not see how the students can get the wrong lesson on the flawed textbooks right,” Lacson said.
Last June 30, the DepEd released a 21-page “Errata Para sa Sibika 1-3 at HeKaSi 4-5 Batayang Aklat at Manwal ng Guro (Errata Guide for Sibika and HeKaSi teachers’ guide)” to correct some 269 errors in 11 textbooks and teachers’ manuals. It was to be issued to 43,000 elementary schools nationwide.
Yet, Lacson said even the guide itself “failed to substantially correct the errors found in the said textbooks,” adding any correction should have been made before the textbooks were published in the first place.
Worse, he said such a “corrective measure” was sneaky because it aimed to give the impression that the Arroyo government through the DepEd had done something to remedy the errors contained in the textbooks. “Panloloko na ito (This is outright deception),” he said.
Lacson filed Wednesday Senate Resolution No. 53, directing the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture to pick up where a Senate investigation into the matter left off earlier this year.
“This cycle of producing substandard textbooks to the detriment of Filipino students needs to be stopped before it completely erodes our country’s educational system,” Lacson said in his resolution.
“It is imperative that effective sanctions, including but not limited to imposition of fines, blacklisting and permanent disqualification from succeeding biddings, be imposed upon errant publishers who have a track record of producing low-quality and error-riddled textbooks,” he added.
The Senate started looking into alleged irregularities in the government’s procurement program for school textbooks, where firms affiliated with the Vibal Publishing Group cornered more than three-fourths of multibillion-peso textbook contracts.
Lacson stressed it is urgent that the investigation be started soonest, as the Department of Education (DepEd) plans to spend some P4.23 billion in taxpayers’ money to buy some 70.6 million textbooks for the next two years.
He lamented that glaring errors in the textbooks torpedoed the objective of the government’s “Education for All” program, where it spent some P3.42 billion on textbooks in 2005 and 2006 with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.
The government planned to publish 11.9 million textbooks under its “Education for All” program, while the World Bank financed the $200-million Second Social Expenditure Management Project (SEMP2), which aims to solve the shortage of textbooks in public schools.
Worse, he said a few “favored” publishing groups with interlocking sets of officers – some of them already disqualified locally but still allowed by the World Bank to bid – cornered 75.96 percent of P2.659 billion of P3.5-billion budget for textbooks-teachers’ manuals.
Lacson also noted that at a hearing on the matter during the 13th Congress, textbook-reform crusader Antonio Go already detailed the factual and conceptual errors he discovered in seven books published under the SEMP2 program.
“Mr. Go further added that around 50 percent of the published books were defective and riddled with factual, conceptual and language errors,” he said.
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Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Lacson files Resolution to Evaluate Common Carriers' Tax Hike
After warning of its potential domino effect on transport operators and commuters, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson filed a resolution seeking a thorough Senate review of the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s plan to hike common carriers’ tax by 2,600 percent.
In Senate Resolution 58, Lacson invoked the oversight function of the Senate to review the BIR’s proposed tax hike on public utility operators, with the aim of striking a balance between the concerns of government and the transport sector.
“The one who will ultimately bear the brunt of this tax hike are the riding public as this will undoubtedly result in fare increases and consequent rise in the price of basic commodities,” Lacson noted in his resolution.
He added that while it is true the present taxes are based on prices in 1978, imposing such a big increase so suddenly will pose an “undue burden” to operators already staggering under the burden of fuel, spare parts and even extortion by unscrupulous law enforcers.
Besides, he said such a big tax hike, especially if imposed in one sitting, will hit hardest the small-time operators who drive their own jeeps, buses or taxis.
Citing figures reaching his office, Lacson said the revenue regulation effectively increases the present tax on jeeps, taxis and buses by as much as 2,600 percent. Operators of buses carrying 50 or more passengers may have to pay from the present P864 to P23,652.
What is unconscionable, Lacson said, is that the planned increase was “arrived at hastily” just to meet the deficit target by the end of the year, as well as its shortcoming in the tax collection effort.
He noted that at the end of the first half of 2007, the government’s budget deficit already reached P41 billion, making it difficult for government to maintain a target budget deficit of P63 billion by year’s end.
“The government’s non-tax revenues stood at P78.3 billion, which was P3.4 billion higher than the P74.9-billion target of the Department of Finance; while the revenue collection for the same period stood at P510.3 billion, which was P47.7 billion lower than the P558-billion target,” he said.
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In Senate Resolution 58, Lacson invoked the oversight function of the Senate to review the BIR’s proposed tax hike on public utility operators, with the aim of striking a balance between the concerns of government and the transport sector.
“The one who will ultimately bear the brunt of this tax hike are the riding public as this will undoubtedly result in fare increases and consequent rise in the price of basic commodities,” Lacson noted in his resolution.
He added that while it is true the present taxes are based on prices in 1978, imposing such a big increase so suddenly will pose an “undue burden” to operators already staggering under the burden of fuel, spare parts and even extortion by unscrupulous law enforcers.
Besides, he said such a big tax hike, especially if imposed in one sitting, will hit hardest the small-time operators who drive their own jeeps, buses or taxis.
Citing figures reaching his office, Lacson said the revenue regulation effectively increases the present tax on jeeps, taxis and buses by as much as 2,600 percent. Operators of buses carrying 50 or more passengers may have to pay from the present P864 to P23,652.
What is unconscionable, Lacson said, is that the planned increase was “arrived at hastily” just to meet the deficit target by the end of the year, as well as its shortcoming in the tax collection effort.
He noted that at the end of the first half of 2007, the government’s budget deficit already reached P41 billion, making it difficult for government to maintain a target budget deficit of P63 billion by year’s end.
“The government’s non-tax revenues stood at P78.3 billion, which was P3.4 billion higher than the P74.9-billion target of the Department of Finance; while the revenue collection for the same period stood at P510.3 billion, which was P47.7 billion lower than the P558-billion target,” he said.
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Lacson Meets with Land Bank Awardees
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson takes time out from his busy schedule to meet with employees of the Land Bank of the Philippines awardees who visited the Senate Tuesday afternoon.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Opposition senators in Butuan
BUTUAN CITY (Aug. 4) - Opposition senators Panfilo M. Lacson and Loren Legarda walk down the aisle of the St. Joseph Cathedral in Butuan City. Both senators are sponsors in the wedding of Abette Plaza, daughter of former Rep. Charito Plaza, to Seanne Flaherty.
2600% Tax Hike on Transport Operators Shortsighted, Unconscionable
Shortsighted and unconscionable.
This was how Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson assailed Saturday a plan by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to impose a whopping 2,600-percent tax hike on operators of buses, passenger jeeps and taxis to make up for its tax collection shortfall.
“It is such a huge increase for transport operators. While I agree the 1978 base tax is outdated, the increases should have been gradual, and should have been part of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program. Such a huge increase is not only shortsighted, it is also unconscionable,” Lacson said.
He lamented that a 2,600-percent common carriers tax hike is no light matter for transport operators, who he said have to cope with rising costs of fuel and spare parts. With tension in Middle East escalating, he warned, the high prices of oil will ultimately be passed on to consumers.
Worse, he said the planned tax hike betrays a lack of vision and planning not only by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) but by Malacañang itself.
“Mrs. Arroyo has been president for almost seven years. Is she saying she does not have forward planning? Why beat the taxes out of poor jeepney, taxi and bus operators who are already reeling from the high prices of fuel and spare parts?” he said.
Lacson said he will ask the Senate committee on ways and means, and the oversight committee on tax reform, to look into the matter.
Earlier, the BIR said the increase in the common carriers tax, which is based on a percentage of gross revenues, similar to the value-added tax, was long overdue as taxes paid by operators of public utility vehicles were still based on 1978 prices.
It said the huge increase was appropriate as it simply took into account inflation, or the general rise in prices, from 1978 to 2006. The BIR’s plan raised a howl among transport operators who said they are already being “taxed to death.”
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This was how Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson assailed Saturday a plan by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to impose a whopping 2,600-percent tax hike on operators of buses, passenger jeeps and taxis to make up for its tax collection shortfall.
“It is such a huge increase for transport operators. While I agree the 1978 base tax is outdated, the increases should have been gradual, and should have been part of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program. Such a huge increase is not only shortsighted, it is also unconscionable,” Lacson said.
He lamented that a 2,600-percent common carriers tax hike is no light matter for transport operators, who he said have to cope with rising costs of fuel and spare parts. With tension in Middle East escalating, he warned, the high prices of oil will ultimately be passed on to consumers.
Worse, he said the planned tax hike betrays a lack of vision and planning not only by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) but by Malacañang itself.
“Mrs. Arroyo has been president for almost seven years. Is she saying she does not have forward planning? Why beat the taxes out of poor jeepney, taxi and bus operators who are already reeling from the high prices of fuel and spare parts?” he said.
Lacson said he will ask the Senate committee on ways and means, and the oversight committee on tax reform, to look into the matter.
Earlier, the BIR said the increase in the common carriers tax, which is based on a percentage of gross revenues, similar to the value-added tax, was long overdue as taxes paid by operators of public utility vehicles were still based on 1978 prices.
It said the huge increase was appropriate as it simply took into account inflation, or the general rise in prices, from 1978 to 2006. The BIR’s plan raised a howl among transport operators who said they are already being “taxed to death.”
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What happened to anti-graft grant?
While she never mentioned it in her State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday, President Arroyo may want to update the nation on what she did with the P1-billion grant from the United States to fight corruption.
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said it would be greatly ironic if the P1 billion from the United States government, along with a P1-billion counterpart from the Philippine government, would be lost to the very thing they were supposed to fight.
“I wanted to hear her side. It’s a grant worth the equivalent of P1 billion from the US government. There was a requirement of P1 billion counterpart from the Philippine government, and she mentioned it very prominently during the last SONA,” Lacson said.
He was referring to the US government’s grant of P1 billion in June last year for anti-corruption efforts. Mrs. Arroyo at the time ordered the Budget Department to immediately release a counterpart P1 billion fund.
During her SONA last year, Mrs. Arroyo had said the government’s “reforms” earned it P1 billion from the United States Millennium Challenge Account for more investigators, prosecutors and new technology to fight corruption. She said the P1-billion counterpart fund will come from “fiscal savings.”
But Lacson said Mrs. Arroyo has yet to give the nation an update on how the government had used the grant. “Of course we had lifestyle checks but those are going after small fry and we have yet to see a big shot being jailed or being charged with graft and corruption,” he said.
Lacson voiced concern the “anti-corruption” efforts may go the way of Mrs. Arroyo’s promise at last year’s SONA to effect political reforms, only to have another son, Diosdado, join his brother Juan Miguel and uncle Ignacio in Congress.
“During the last SONA she vowed reforms in the political and electoral systems. What happened? There’s another Arroyo in Congress, Dato Arroyo. Maybe that’s the political reform she was talking about last year. As for the electoral reform, maybe she was referring to Mindanao. Again, Maguindanao became the center of cheating of so many questions regarding the last election,” he said.
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Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said it would be greatly ironic if the P1 billion from the United States government, along with a P1-billion counterpart from the Philippine government, would be lost to the very thing they were supposed to fight.
“I wanted to hear her side. It’s a grant worth the equivalent of P1 billion from the US government. There was a requirement of P1 billion counterpart from the Philippine government, and she mentioned it very prominently during the last SONA,” Lacson said.
He was referring to the US government’s grant of P1 billion in June last year for anti-corruption efforts. Mrs. Arroyo at the time ordered the Budget Department to immediately release a counterpart P1 billion fund.
During her SONA last year, Mrs. Arroyo had said the government’s “reforms” earned it P1 billion from the United States Millennium Challenge Account for more investigators, prosecutors and new technology to fight corruption. She said the P1-billion counterpart fund will come from “fiscal savings.”
But Lacson said Mrs. Arroyo has yet to give the nation an update on how the government had used the grant. “Of course we had lifestyle checks but those are going after small fry and we have yet to see a big shot being jailed or being charged with graft and corruption,” he said.
Lacson voiced concern the “anti-corruption” efforts may go the way of Mrs. Arroyo’s promise at last year’s SONA to effect political reforms, only to have another son, Diosdado, join his brother Juan Miguel and uncle Ignacio in Congress.
“During the last SONA she vowed reforms in the political and electoral systems. What happened? There’s another Arroyo in Congress, Dato Arroyo. Maybe that’s the political reform she was talking about last year. As for the electoral reform, maybe she was referring to Mindanao. Again, Maguindanao became the center of cheating of so many questions regarding the last election,” he said.
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