Letter to the Editor -- So much for the euphoria

Scores of Filipinos were glued on to their television sets the other Sunday for the much-awaited fight between Mexican champion Erik "El Terible" Morales and the Philippines' very own Manny "The Pacman" Pacquiao. Millions of our fellow countrymen here and abroad were jubilant after the "The Pacman" sent "El Terible" to his knees, for the first time in his career. Many considered Manny Pacquiao as a source of pride and inspiration for Filipinos after defeating the Mexican boxing hero. After coming back into the country, Manny Pacquiao received a hero's welcome and was with the country's chief executive and was like a king for a day.

While many were ecstatic over the win, it's better to wager on reality. The 10 percent Reformed Value-Added Tax (RVAT) increased by two percent February 1. This will weigh down consumers especially ordinary wage earners. While many were euphoric on that same day when Manny Pacquiao won, the country's major oil players raised prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene by 50 centavos. Prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gases are expected to soar. For the record, the price increase of oil products is the second for the year.

According to the country's Finance Secretary, the current administration needs to reduce the fiscal deficit to P125 billion this year. This is because the government is spending more than it is earning. It is also borrowing funds and spending more on debt servicing than on basic social services. The RVAT Law that took effect last year, gives the President the power to raise the tax by two percent more if the government fails to hit the revenue it's aiming at.

For ordinary wage earners who comprise majority of the population, the additional two percent of the original 10 percent Reformed Value-Added Tax (RVAT) means a taking away another percent of the meager wage earnings they have. This would also mean higher prizes of commodities and services. While ordinary wage earners are honestly and promptly paying their obligations to government, they are not getting enough of the basic services they deserve.

The too much attention that the administration of Gloria Arroyo is giving to Manny Pacquiao is but a deliberate attempt to sidetrack the interest of the people with today's most pressing issues like the RVAT, rising cost of prizes of basic commodities and the political instability of the country. We are swollen with pride from the win, but his win can't do anything to uplift the lives of ordinary Filipinos. So much for the euphoria…

Jesson J. Morata
Blk. 6 San Miguel
Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City