House minority to push revenue bills in LEDAC

MANILA, Philippines - The minority in the House of Representatives will push revenue-generating bills.

Speaking to reporters, Deputy Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said Congress needs to fill the country’s huge deficit, projected at P350 billion this year.

“We would like also to propose that on the first LEDAC (Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council), the administration give time to the minority to present its position in coming up with these solutions,” he said.

Minority Leader Edcel Lagman said the administration should listen to minority lawmakers, who have vowed to support his programs.

The minority will also push the resolution of Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for Congress to call a constitutional convention, along with the postponement of the barangay elections and the Reproductive Health Bill, he added.

The Charter change resolution was already referred to the proper committee, Lagman said.

Suarez said aside from supporting moves to privatize the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, opposition lawmakers would also push for the immediate restructuring of the excise tax system for cigarettes, and the implementation of the metering system for telecommunications firms.

Suarez said the public has been feeling a “massive deterioration” in the services provided by telecommunications firms Smart Communications, Globe Telecoms, and Sun Cellular.

“I’m not saying that they’re (telecommunications companies) cheating on their taxes, but the amount that we’re (consumers) paying doesn’t seem to equate to the services, the only solution is to meter the big players,” he said.

Suarez said metering could generate around P8 billion to P10 billion annually for the government.

The tax on cigarettes must be changed, where imported tobacco leaves would be imposed higher duties, he added.

In his State of the Nation Address, President Aquino said he would convene the LEDAC to set the legislative priorities of the administration.