ROXAS: FARE HIKE THREAT SHOWS NEED TO SUSPEND VAT ON OIL
"DIP" IN WORLD OIL PRICES NO CAUSE FOR COMPLACENCY

Senator Mar Roxas renewed his call for the immediate suspension of the value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products in light of calls to hike fares, to the detriment of commuters and consumers.

This, as he challenged the Department of Energy (DOE) to finally be true to its word and open all the books of oil companies to ensure that prices are just.

"Ayaw man nating magtaas ng pamasahe ang ating mga tsuper, sila mismo ay hirap na sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis. Walong beses nang tumaas ang presyo, kaya ipit na ipit na rin sila (While we don't want fares to increase, our transport sector's already suffering due to price hikes. Pump prices have increased eight times already)," he said

"Kaya ang panawagan natin sa gobyerno, sila ang magsakripisyo ngayon at suspindihin ang VAT sa langis, kaysa naman ang mga mananakay at konsyumer natin ang mahirapan (We call on the government to make a sacrifice and suspend the VAT on oil. Otherwise, our commuters and consumers will continue to to be burdened)," he said.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade said the recent "dip" in world oil prices�Dubai crude at $106 per barrel, from an all-time high of $108; and New York at $112 from an all-time high of $120�is no cause for complacency.

"A dip in world prices should not mean DOE and other agencies should let their guards down against any abuse in prices." he said.

"Back here at home, the threat of further pump price hikes remains. Oil companies are still bent on hiking this up to P5 to P7 more per liter. Baka lumampas na ng P50 kada litro ang gasulina at diesel sa loob ng taong ito," he added.

Roxas, Liberal Party President, also said aside from suspending VAT on oil, the government must hasten the approval of another measure that would help workers cope with increasing prices of food and other key commodities.

"Noong nakaraang LEDAC, ipinangako ang pag-exempt ng mga minimum wage earners sa buwis, pero wala pa rin ito. Kung tutuusin, ilang Mayo Uno na itong ipinangako pero hindi pa rin natutupad (In the last LEDAC meet, the government committed to exempt minimum wage earners from income tax. How many Labor Days have already passed that this promise has not been kept?)," he said.

"I commend the House's desire to reevaluate the entire income tax system, but what's needed now is immediate relief for our workers. Let's first exempt all minimum wage earners, and then we can work on a comprehensive review of the income tax system," he added.