Binay warns seniors could stage rallies for EVAT exemption bill

MANILA, Philippines - Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay told Malacañang Tuesday to prepare for a “First Quarter Storm” (FQS) by senior citizens upset over its cold reception to the bill exempting the elderly from the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT).

“If they lost their patience, the senior citizens might resort to FQS,” Binay said, referring to a series of demonstrations staged by student activists from January to March 1971 that rocked the Marcos administration.

Binay belied reports that the bill would cause “massive revenue loss” on the part of the government.

He said the projected loss can be covered by plugging the annual P172-billion leak from smuggling.

Binay said Filipinos 60 years old and above constitute a mere six percent of the country’s 94.01 million population, “and the coverage is not across the board.”

“This is a privilege to be extended to a tiny segment of the populace and will involve a narrow list of goods and services,” he said.

Due to the restrictions in both the number of beneficiaries and exempted goods, Binay said the proposed Expanded Senior Citizens Act will have a “negligible revenue impact but palpable social benefits.”

Binay said the EVAT collection this year is P99.1 billion, which is lower than the annual tax leakage, “yet our government nitpicks on the crumbs we plan to give our lolos and lolas.”

Acting Social Welfare Secretary Celia Yangco said the President has not yet received a copy of the bill. She said Mrs. Arroyo, who is also a senior citizen, “will immediately sign the bill” once she gets a copy. – Jose Rodel Clapano, Helen Flores