NEW TAXES MEAN ADDT'L BURDEN FOR THE PEOPLE - LOREN

In reaction to the Liberal Party standard bearers' proposal to hike up the value-added tax (VAT) to 15%, NP-NPC-LDP Vice Presidential candidate Senator Loren Legarda today reiterated her stand against new taxes, asserting that it will just be an additional burden for the people.

"I don't think government should increase taxes. E-VAT pa lang na 12%, malaki nang pahirap sa masang Pilipino. Sana naman ilagay muna nila yung sarili nila sa sitwasyon ng mga ordinaryong Pilipino bago sila maglabas ng ganyang panukala. Palibhasa hindi nila nararamdaman ang dagdag hirap ng buwis, kaya malakas ang loob nilang itaas ito," said Loren.

Loren said that poor tax collection should never be an excuse to increase taxes. "Our biggest tax evaders are the rich, so why punish the poor and the middle class who pay their taxes religiously? Government loses Php60 to 65 billion a year in technical smuggling alone. What government should do is to step up its collection efforts, not add an additional burden to the common folk."

"I am for a government that is closer to the people, that is humanitarian, that provides them with basic services and social safetynets in times of hardship. I think we should work harder for that kind of government, which we all deserve. But this should not be done at the expense of another burden for the masses. Government should do its job, and do it right," said Loren.

Loren has been adamant in opposing new taxes and criticizing the Expanded-Value Added Tax. She has co-authored the law exempting senior citizens from E-VAT.

A firm believer of grassroots democracy and people empowerment, Loren has authored laws that provide opportunities for people to raise their livelihood. She has authored the Amendment to the Agri Agra Law which provides more loanable funds to farmers; the Barangay Kabuhayan Act which establishes livelihood and skills training centers in the fourth, fifth and sixth class municipalities to open employment opportunities; and the the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Act which strengthens the small and medium enterprises.