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Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Arroyo can't suspend e-VAT law on oil products: aide
MANILA -- A Malacañang official said it is leaving to Congress the task of suspending the expanded value-added tax (e-VAT) on oil and petroleum products so as not to court an impeach complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Antonio Apostol said Arroyo cannot order a moratorium on VAT on oil products because the Constitution gave that power to Congress, not to the President.
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Apostol said e-VAT law is a congressional act and cannot be superseded by the chief executive.
"If the President orders the suspension of the e-VAT law, another impeachment complaint may be filed against her for culpable violation of the Constitution," he said.
He also said the President is duty bound to implement the laws and that she "cannot refuse to carry out a law for the simple reason that in her judgment, it will not be beneficial for the people."
"The Palace cannot do it. Let Congress do it," Apostol said.
However, he said the President would not certify the bill suspending the e-VAT on oil products and would just "leave it that way."
The Palace is against the suspension of the e-VAT on oil products because it would result in a revenue loss of P60 billion annually.
Science Secretary Estrella Alabastro said a group of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will arrive in the Philippines in mid-January to help the energy officials study the feasibility of tapping nuclear power as an energy source.
"We've always said we're open to the possibility of nuclear power in the future because it takes time to make it operational. It will take us about at least 15 years," Alabastro said.
She said government should look at the criticisms on the use of nuclear power, such as safety and dealing with nuclear waste and respond to them.
Alabastro added that government would also have to look into the use of biofuels and renewable energy sources in view of an expected power shortfall in 2009 in the Visayas and Mindanao and in 2010 in Luzon. (JMR/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Baguio. (January 15, 2008 issue)
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