5 priority bills in 17th Congress
NANCY PUSHES TAX EXEMPTION FOR EMPLOYEES EARNING P30K BELOW

Senator Nancy Binay is set to file a bill exempting employees earning P30,000 and below from paying income taxes in the 17th Congress, saying it is high time to address the situation for many middle income earners.

"Ito na po ang panahon na mabigyan natin ng kaginhawaan at seguridad ang marami nating mga kababayan na kumikita ng P30,000 pababa," Binay said.

"Maluluwagan na ng maraming mga manggagawa at empleyado ang kanilang mga sinturon sa mga pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan," she added.

She added that around six million public and private sector employees stand to gain from abolishing income taxes for those earning P30,000 a month or less.

"Makakapag-uwi na ang mga manggagawa at mga empleyado ng mas maraming pagkain para sa kanilang pamilya, mas marami na silang mabibiling bagay-bagay," Binay said.

Binay explained that a family with two to three children needs at least P30,000 a month to live comfortably on a budget.

"Sa oras na i-tax ang P30,000, may mga items sa budget ang apektado, at kailangan mag-adjust at magbawas ng gastusin sa mga basic necessities tulad ng pagkain, pambayad ng renta o bill ng kuryente o tubig, pati na rin pamasahe papuntang trabaho o school," she said.

The lady senator added that many middle income earners are the ones who immediately feel the undue burden of paying taxes because they are the ones bordering higher income tax brackets.

In her proposed measure, Binay said that income tax brackets would be amended to keep up with the rising prices.

Binay will also file her electronic violence against women and children (E-VAWC) bill, meant to safeguard victims of online violence from further harm against their perpetrators who could be a close/distant relative, former spouse/partner or an ex-boyfriend/girlfriend.

Other priority measures include increasing the amount Social Security System (SSS) pensioners receive to P3,200.00 a month for members with at least 10 credited years; the regularization of barangay officials; and granting incentives to public school teachers.

"Ang mga panukalang batas na ito ay isang continuation ng mga pangako noong nakaraang kampanya ni Vice President Jejomar C. Binay," the lady senator said.