The better deal of Senator Roxas

If the extra government income from the value-added tax (VAT) on oil will just be squandered on another national broadband network (NBN) or other questionable projects with doubtful benefits to the people, then taxpayers would be better served if they just get their money back.

Sen. Mar Roxas made the statement Sunday, as he stepped up his crusade to get the 12 percent VAT on petroleum products suspended for at least six months, in order to provide consumers instant and material relief from soaring fuel prices.

"The people will surely get a better deal if they simply get their money back now, instead of the government wasting the cash on costly experimental projects that have uncertain and unclear benefits to them (the people)," Roxas said.

The Liberal Party president's remarks came as the Senate prepared to resume its probe on the controversial NBN project, and on reports that the government is bent on building a similar system under supposedly different terms and conditions.

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Wednesday, January 30, 2008 | posted in e-vat, mar roxas, oil, pgma, philippines, president, text tax, zte deal | 0 comments [ More ]

Sen. Mar Roxas says NO to text tax

An excerpt from http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news1_jan11_2008

A Government plan to impose tax on text messages drew immediate criticism from Congress and consumers.

"The government is rubbing salt into the wound by first rejecting a bill to suspend the [value-added tax] on oil products, and then expressing openness to tax another daily-life necessity—texting,” said Senator Mar Roxas, chairman of the committee on trade and commerce.

Roxas accused the government of being insensitive by entertaining a tax on popular text messaging services on mobile phones, while refusing to suspend the 12 percent tax on petroleum products.

Friday, January 11, 2008 | posted in e-vat, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president, text tax | 0 comments [ More ]