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Thursday, April 28, 2005
Tulabut: Edpam and Bluboy
By Noel G. Tulabut
TH bicameral conference committee on the proposed expanded value-added-tax (VAT) bill is expected to wind up its discussions within the week or possibly early next week. The issues surrounding the VAT bill are contentious and divisive, but there's a welcome development as senators and congressmen have already agreed to a single VAT rate, effectively scrapping the proposed multi-tiered system. The big question now, of course, is whether the final VAT rate will be a uniform 10 or 11 or 12 percent.
According to External Affairs Secretary Ed Pamintuan, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would prefer a 12 percent VAT rate as she is serious in finding a genuine and long term solution to our country's fiscal problems.
Edpam, as he is fondly referred to in Palace circles nowadays, explained that a genuine and long-term solution to our fiscal woes will come from the estimated P135 billion in additional revenues a 12 percent VAT rate would generate yearly. Moreover, a 12 percent VAT rate will also broaden our country's revenue base which for some time has been considered as one of the narrowest in the entire economic world.
More interestingly, though, is that Edpam too claims that additional taxes are not as staunchly opposed by ordinary people as previously thought.
He said he had known this "promising truth" even before that Pulse Asia survey that showed 68 percent of Filipinos would even support higher taxes as long as graft and corruption and wasteful spending by government are reduced.
It turned out that Edpam and his staff from the Office of External Affairs has been receiving the same feedback directly from the people as part of their program called Isangguni sa Bayan.
Under the program, the OEA organizes small group gatherings or discussion groups among local residents and leaders, for example, in a barangay. Recently, the OEA focused its Isangguni sa Bayan program on discussing the merits and demerits of the proposed expanded VAT bill.
Edpam and OEA staff observed that people have the same sentiment. This is the willingness to make sacrifices to save our country, and to be given the assurance that sacrifices won't be squandered by irresponsible and corrupt government officials.
He said that there is so much evidence that we Filipinos are becoming more and more socially responsible and that we are now more willing to share the burden of strengthening our economy and rebuilding our society.
Edpam observed too that Filipinos are beginning to put more trust in our government in general, and our President, in particular. He averred that that Arroyo's seeming low popularity rating stems only from the many unpopular decisions she is forced to make for the sake of our country. I believe this observation to be true. PGMA will make a comeback and recover from that poor rating.
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Edpam is Malacanang's boy wonder insofar as ironing out political crumples.
He has silently worked out as PGMA's goodwill ambassador not only to perceived political opponents but also to a cross section of society - the legislators, businessmen, peasants, teachers and what have you. He has effectively carried out his mandate to "heal the wounds of Edsa I, II and III." And I wouldn't be surprised if the upcoming Labor Day celebrations will be tranquil, controlled and sober, especially among the leftists. All because Edpam is in the thick of things, stretching government's hand to peaceably tackle and resolve issues affecting our country today.
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A column about Edpam wouldn't just be complete if I fail to write about political maneuverings in Angeles City - his hometown. How be it that people want him to run for the mayorship in the 2007 elections?
Political observers say that an Edpam-Janet Lazatin tandem will be a formidable Lakas team up. The pundits also see a Francis Nepo-Noel Flores partnership in the making. This scenario makes for a very interesting match-up between two political geniuses.
While Edpam has been effectively shoring up the Arroyo administration which in turn boosts his stock, Bluboy, on the other hand, has been equally getting popular support through his various projects - computers and multicab distribution, as example. My next column will delve about a typical congressman's day in the city.
This will be indeed an interesting match-up.
(April 28, 2005 issue)
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