Thursday, April 12, 2007 Speak out: Retirees’ stand By Amado F. Cabaero Founding Chair, Parp
RETIREES from the private and public sector, all senior citizens, will come together in Cebu on May 5, 2007 to formulate a common stand on their rights as senior citizens and what they think needs to be done to restore moral values to our present society.
This will take place at the Century Plaza Hotel on Juana Osmeña St. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. when the Philippine Association of Retired Persons (Parp) will conduct its 8th annual general membership meeting and a senior citizens forum to discuss "The Relevance of Senior Citizens in our Present Society," the theme of their meeting.
At the end of forum, a manifesto will be issued to all candidates in the coming May 14 elections to urge them to include in their platforms for legislative action all the proposals approved during their meeting.
These will include:
1. Exemption of senior citizens (SC) from the coverage of the value added tax (Evat), which takes back 12 percent of the 20 percent SC discount;
2. A definition of a uniform basis of deduction of the SC 20 percent discount;
3. A law to impose price control on basic medicines needed by SC;
4. A requirement to present a BIR certification of SC granted and deducted from the establishments tax liability before renewal of its mayor's permit or license to operate;
5. An amendment of the SC law to limit the appointment of chairman of the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs to three members and nominees of registered senior citizens associations in the city or municipality;
6. To criminalize the receiving and/or payment of tips, commissions, facilitation fees and the like in government contracts, deals, or any kind of service from and to any government official or agency;
7. To criminalize the violation of any law that tends to subvert, diminish, or render inadequate any provision of law granting specific benefits or assistance such as pensions, sickness or death benefits and to punish violations with imprisonment and monetary penalties;
8. To allow senior citizens, the sick, or disabled to exercise their right to vote like absentee voters under certain conditions specified in the law;
9. To subject all candidates for public office to clearance from charges of immorality, misconduct involving public money, or involvement in gambling activity;
10. To criminalize the involvement of any husband or wife of a public official from interfering in the official act of his wife or her husband, or engaging in any activity that will give undue advantage to anybody in transactions with a government office or official; and
11. The restoration of the teaching of “Good manners and Right Conduct" in grade schools.
