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Thursday, March 17, 2005
Vidal defends VAT meddling
By Jujemay G. Awit
Sun.Star Correspondent
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal recognizes the separation of church and state, but when it comes to the value-added tax (VAT) increase, he cannot help but take a stand.
“The church makes a moral judgment about economic and social matters when fundamental rights of the person or the salvation of souls require it,” Vidal said in a message read before anti-VAT rallyists yesterday.
More than 25 cause-oriented groups from all over Cebu gathered at Fuente Osmeña to protest the proposed two percent increase in VAT, making it 12 percent.
Cardinal Vidal’s message was read by his representative, Msgr. Roberto Alesna.
Since it’s the govern-ment’s right to raise taxes, the cardinal only hopes that the plight of ordinary consumers will be considered.
“It is a difficult balancing act to attain the common good, but on this issue, I would like to restate the church’s preferential option for the poor,” Vidal’s message also said.
The Senate is still divided over the VAT increase. Last Feb. 28, the House of Representatives passed its version of the VAT bill that lifted exemptions on certain goods and services.
A month earlier, it also passed House Bill 3555, seeking to increase the VAT from 10 to 12 percent.
This brought together different sectors of society, such as lawyers, priests, students and militant groups, to organize protest moves against the bills.
Deadline
The VAT increase is considered the most important of the eight tax reform measures proposed by President Arroyo last year, as it will contribute a sizeable amount to the targeted additional annual revenue of P80 billion.
If the Senate is unable to pass the bill by tomorrow, then it will have to wait until after the three-week Lenten break.
Late last month, the cardinal met with President Arroyo and got a briefing from Malaca-ñang’s finance managers, but they failed to convince him to support the new VAT rate and coverage.
Aside from Vidal, Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez also had a message read during the rally.
“I have not found any precautionary measures that the additional VAT would not overload our suffering poor,” Fernandez said.
More than 1,000 people from different cause-oriented groups turned out for the protest dubbed People’s Movement Against VAT Increase, said Ritchie Nellas, spokesman of komVATi (Katawhan Batok sa VAT increase), the main organizer.
Group text
The highlight of the protest rally was the simultaneous sending of a text message to Senate President Franklin Drilon’s mobile phone numbers.
Leaders from each organization formed a circle and sent Drilon the message: “no 2 vat! no 2 tax n price hikes! Senado dapat makatao…Pls pass.”
Nellas, also chairman of Migrante, blames the “anti-people” policies of the Arroyo administration for the growing number of Filipinos seeking work abroad.
“Tungod sa kalisud, ang mga Pilipino manglayas nalang sa Pilipinas, mas maayo unta’g ang Presidente nalang ang molayas sa iyang pwesto (Because of hard times, Filipinos are leaving the country. It would be better if it’s the President who leaves her post),” said Nellas, remembering domestic helper Flor Contemplacion who was hanged in Singapore 10 years ago today.
Outgoing Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City chapter president Democrito Barcenas reiterated his opposition to the VAT increase. He also promised to monitor the IBP in its move to fight the VAT increase even after his term ends on March 31.
Alternatives
Bayan’s Paul Rodri-guez, on the other hand, presented alternatives for the government to consider instead of increasing VAT.
He called for more efficient collection of taxes, removal of tax exemptions and tax holidays and precautionary measures against tax leaks.
For a long-range plan, Rodriguez suggested “genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization.”
The Association of Concerned Texters, Bayan Muna, the Association of Concerned Commuters and Consumers in Cebu, Gabriela Women’s Party, Iglesia Filipina Indipen-diente, College Editors Guild of the Philippines, Migrante and Anakpawis were among those that joined the rally yesterday.
The protest ended with a song from Cebuano artist Rolly Wagas, while all the rallyists held hands.
(March 17, 2005 issue)
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