I agree with the CBCP that the e-VAT and oil deregulations law should be reviewed. Both add misery to the life of common people. We are better off paying income taxes rather than the e-VAT. – Vic Alim, Caloocan City
No, the CBCP should concentrate on food for the soul and let the government fully concentrate on food for the table. – Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City
The CBCP should stop meddling
The Church has had its way with the government’s population program. Now, it wants to have a say in tax policies. The bishops simply want an exploding population supported by diminishing taxes. It’s simply not sustainable. The bishops should not dip their hands into matters they know nothing about. – R. Los Baños, Las Piñas City
Bishops and priests should leave the political and economic affairs of the country to politicians and economists. If they wish to meddle and interfere with the way the government is being run, they should resign from the pulpit and run for public office. – Juan Deveraturda, Subic, Zambales
The CBCP must stop meddling in government affairs. Too many cooks spoil the broth. – Joel Caluag, Bulacan
No, the CBCP doesn’t have the moral ascendancy to meddle with our laws. This is the job of Congress. – Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City
The CBCP should tend its backyard
With all due respect, the reverend prelates are better advised not to meddle in government affairs, and instead focus on ecumenical endeavors. – Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City
The CBCP has just as many problems as the government, thus it shouldn’t meddle. Anyway, it’s the poor who are directly affected and not the church. – Jim Veneracion, Naga City
Dapat magkaroon muna ng reporma sa loob ng CBCP; pinoproblema na rin sila ng mga followers nila. I don’t agree with them. – Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City
The CBCP can express its sentiments, but our economic managers know best. Attuning church policies to our plight is the best they can do. – C. Fundales, Bulacan
CBCP members are suddenly experts on the economy. Let them become economic managers of the nation instead. – Delfin Langkhas, Baguio City
Vox populi
The e-VAT has become oppressive for sick and hungry Filipinos. The CBCP is the voice of the people who long to express their hardship. – Johann Lucas, Quezon City
I agree because the CBCP is composed of men of God whose interests are for all of us. – Rudy Tagimacruz, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon
I admire the Catholic Church for standing up for the rights of the people when their welfare is affected. It may be our only hope that the government will review the e-VAT and oil deregulation laws. Politicians dare not brush off the church that wields a strong influence during election time. – Robert Young Jr., San Juan
Though many of our priests are Padre Damaso incarnates, better that the CBCP makes these comments and reminders lest more abuses be committed. – Rose Leobrera, Manila
By all means, laws that aren’t responsive to the needs of our countrymen in these hard times must be revised or amended in order. – Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte
Yes, it’s a powerful idea that must be given utmost attention by the government. Taxes are the lifeblood of the nation, but they shouldn’t be confiscators. – Leonard Villa, Laoag City
Following the CBCP’s proposal would offer longer-term solutions to the oil crisis, benefiting people better than giving them dole-outs. – C. Gaspar, Laoag City
Populist but illogical
There is a need for some relief from e-VAT but where do you get money for oil deregulation? The CBCP is populist but illogical. – Noel Diaz, Manila
The CBCP seems to be adopting the populist stances of presidential wannabes, hoping Sunday collections improve. No more steaks for you, Father? – Norberto Robles, Taguig
The July 11 editorial, “Setting Policy”, categorically provided the answer to this Inbox question on why I disagree with the CBCP. – Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City
No, the suggestions of the CBCP and Mar Roxas are detrimental to our economy and to our survival as a nation. The CBCP itself admits they are not experts in economics. See The Philippine STAR July 11 editorial and Alex Magno’s July 10 column. – Marlon Mangalus, Central Luzon
The e-VAT is oppressive
Of course, I do. The e-VAT and oil deregulation laws are hurting the ordinary citizen more than was intended. – Nap Cinco, Rizal
Yes, because it seems to be doing more harm than good to our country. – Digoy Coro, Batangas
Yes, the ripple effect of the e-VAT further paralyzes the country’s already-crippled economy and overtaxed police force. – Nick Ocampo, Metro Manila
I’m sure the majority of us Filipinos will agree with the CBCP that PGMA should revisit laws on e-VAT and oil deregulation ASAP for obvious reasons. – Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City
Yes, in light of current conditions, the repeal of the VAT/e-VAT and oil deregulation should be seriously considered. – Dino Monzon, Caloocan City
Definitely. Regulating prices can lessen and mitigate the effects of the non-stop chain reaction on the cost of necessities. – Cris Rivera, Rizal
May their words be guided
The CBCP bishops, as spiritual leaders, are Biblically mandated to speak out their support or objection to the activities of secular leaders. Their words must be influenced by the Holy Spirit and not just by their own opinion, otherwise they have to keep silent and let the laymen speak out. – Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City
We need taxes to survive
Tinkering with the said laws at this time is ill-advised. Being an economist, PGMA should know of better options. But will she do it? – Ruel Bautista, Laguna
The e-VAT law was enacted to provide funds for projects and government expenses. We cannot just set them aside now without suffering serious consequences. – Tony Gomez, Parañaque City
All suggestions on e-VAT on oil will be useless because the administration’s survival depends on money and oil e-VAT is a rich source. – Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City
No, because taxes are the lifeblood of a nation. Without it, our nation will die. – Romeo Caubat, Masbate
We did not have VAT and oil deregulation during the final years of the Marcos era. What we had were a bankrupt government, a very high inflation rate and high unemployment. We also had riotous rallies and NPAs waiting to takeover the government. We are bound to reprise those bad times, and worse, if we bow to the bishops’ demands. – Nony de Leon, Malolos
Revisiting the e-VAT will only be good for the rich. The windfall income of e-VAT right now can help subsidize the needs of the poor more during this crisis. If oil is again deregulated, where will the government get the money to subsidize it? Borrow again? – Edgar Artates, Parañaque City
Up sin taxes instead
Yes, she should ask the Congress and the Senate to amend the e-VAT law and transfer or add the e-VAT to cigarettes and liquor which will be a big relief to the people. – James Gaw, Quezon City
Too late the hero
I fully agree with the CBCP’s request that the President revisit the laws on e-VAT and oil deregulation, but it should have done that when e-VAT first became a law. The people have suffered for a long time. – C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City
Maybe the CBCP should have said this a long time ago and not meddle in partisan politics. – Joseph Corpuz, Laguna
Corruption is the culprit
Certainly, PGMA should revisit laws on e-VAT, including VAT, to reconsider their implementation not only because of the rising oil price, but in the interest of fairness to the people, who are even more hard-up nowadays because of VAT and e-VAT. If billions in stolen taxes are collected, and tax evaders are incarcerated to ensure no such thing happens again, VAT and e-VAT would not be needed for her to fund basic services. – Elpidio Que, Vigan
The CBCP is correct in its call for PGMA to review the laws on e-VAT and oil deregulation. The oil crisis is such an insurmountable problem that has caught every one unprepared, including the world’s economic powers. Any help to ease, even on a short-term period, the difficulty affecting us all, is highly appreciated. I believe that in this worthy move of the bishops, the CBCP will get no flak from the people, except, of course, the economists who say the government stands to lose billions. My answer to that is: If our national leadership can only put an end to graft and corruption, our country will not even need to borrow, or beg for, money from outside sources. It will even have spare funds to ease the crisis. – I. Calata, Parañaque City
Market forces
Revisiting e-VAT is a sound idea, but not oil deregulation. Oil prices are dictated by market forces which underscore supply and demand. – Rodolfo Capili, Caloocan City
Our fate is in PGMA’s hands
Yes, I agree because only PGMA has the power to re-study, cancel or lower e-VAT. – June Deoferio, Cavite
It is not enough just to agree to a revisit on those laws. Act decisively and act fast, Madam President. Sadly, time is not on our side. Let it be written in history that you brought us through, safely, in these trying times. – Jose Fabello Jr., Misamis Oriental
CBCP must revisit population control stand
Yes, I agree. And yes, yes, yes, too, for the CBCP to revisit its stand on population control. These priests are too quick to suggest a fix for the government but when they themselves need to rethink something, they listen to no one. – Rico Fabello, Parañaque City
What the CBCP should revisit is why it’s not paying taxes and its stand on population control. Both can help immensely in easing the burden of the poor. In the case of the latter, the Church can honestly inform the faithful that birth control pills are not abortifacient, but merely something that prevents pregnancy, and that prevention is not the same as abortion. – V. Cantara, Parañaque City
Pray for oil
No, the CBCP should kneel down and pray for a successful oil exploration in our country. – Dr. Hiram Tiburcio, Lapulapu City
VAT on oil is killing us
For every P400 worth of diesel for one-round trip from Urdaneta to Dagupan, we pay P48 VAT, which is equivalent to a kilo of rice and a can of sardines. If we make three round trips, that’s P144, just enough for a child’s daily allowance to school. Suspend the collection of VAT from public jeeps and buses. Considering that we are paying a monthly percentage in quarterly taxes, suspending VAT on diesel is most welcome. Although I do not agree to the scrapping of the oil deregulation law, a review of the law would be timely. – Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan
Yes, I think the President should revise the laws especially on oil deregulation. Oil players seemingly do not want to decrease their huge income on oil products. – Danny de Leon, Al-Khafji, Saudi Arabia
The church doesn’t pay taxes
CBCP and the church have no moral right to question the e-VAT since they are not paying taxes to the government. – C. Manalastas, Manila
The CBCP should instead donate all friar lands to Gawad Kalinga and all religious groups should pay taxes like us citizens. Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. A TV evangelist bought out a radio/TV station for P47 million. Para daw kay Lord. – Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa
A big no. Congress should enact a law levying the Church. They are not paying taxes, yet they have the temerity to complain. – Arnel Nelmida, La Union
Yes, include also the implementation of a law that requires taxes on income-generating activities of all religious organizations. – Rey Onate, Palayan City
What do they care about our taxing system? Why don’t they propose imposing taxes on them instead? – S.C. Tomines, Tarlac City
They don’t pay axes nor contribute a dime on public spending. Ilimos na lang sana nila ang kanilang bendisyon ngayong taghirap. – Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City
Stop extra collections
The CBCP should instead consider stopping Sunday collections and other money-making rites as a respite to the faithful. They don’t pay taxes, anyway. – Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City
Umentra na naman ang CBCP. It’s not that I disagree with it, but please take the suggestions of Rep. Garin of Iloilo to help and stop extra collections. – Julio Ibon, Laoag City
REACTIONS
To Mr. Romualdez: Marcos was on track with the LRT and Bataan power plant. Too bad Cory scuttled all future LRTs and never operated the plant. – Andy Tan, Manila
I agree with Sara Soliven de Guzman’s column, “A sick society”, 100 per cent. God help us! – Aida Dayrit, Pampanga
Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.
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