Collect taxes efficiently and run after cheaters, instead of raising fuel excise tax-- Sen. JV Ejercito

SENATOR JV Ejercito on Friday urged the government to collect taxes efficiently and correctly in order to raise more funds, instead of implementing the second wave of fuel excise tax increase, which started to take effect this month.

Ejercito even called on the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs to seriously and relentlessly run after big time tax evaders and avoiders.

"Instead of fuel excise tax increase, why not implement a no-nonsense campaign against big time tax evaders and avoiders? It's the government's mandate to collect, it's their (evaders) obligation to pay, under the law," Ejercito said in a statement.

He added: "'Yang pagtaas ng fuel excise tax nga ang isa sa mga dahilan ng mataas na presyo ng mga bilihin noong nakaraang taon, 'tapos ngayon itinaas uli? Kawawa na nang husto ang ating mga kababayan," he said.

Ejercito reiterated his support to efforts of the Duterte Administration to raise funds for the infrastructure program of the government, which the senator believes as the key to the country's progress.

"Efficient and right collection of taxes and running after tax cheaters should be the strategy. So, let's suspend the implementation of the fuel excise tax increase temporarily and embark on an effective, efficient, and correct collection of taxes. And, at the same time, launch a serious, sustained, and no let-up campaign against tax evaders," he pointed out.