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Opinion

Best wishes to the Muslims - Eid Mubarak!

AS A MATTER OF FACT - Sara Soliven De Guzman -

Many businessmen are alarmed of a looming “fiscal” crisis lurking beneath the surface of the nation. Contrary to the image created by the administration on the current state of our economy, foreign credit analysts have started downgrading the Philippines as an investment destination and new foreign loans may not be forthcoming if government deficit keeps on increasing.

Despite the many foreign trips of GMA primarily to invite investors to the Philippines, it seems that expenses incurred far outweigh the benefits of the travels. How can foreigners invest in this country when they clearly see that the system will not work for them? As a matter of fact, most investments have folded up due to corruption in government and too much red tape which to date is still a big problem. This may lead to a defaulting by the Arroyo administration of its foreign loans. So, I suggest we do a major clean up in our own yard first before we continue traveling and promoting our country to others.

Talk about a crisis, between January to May 2009, the national government had a fiscal deficit that reached an alarming P123.2 billion. This means that our country is on the verge of a renewed fiscal crisis.

The new taxes being vied for by the government have been referred to Congress for legislations. Members of Congress are also reluctant in giving up their pork barrels, P70 million annually for each congressman and P200 million for each senator in the current budget. There is even a proposal to increase this to P30 million for each lawmaker. If this happens, this will likewise increase the risk of government money being spent for the 2010 elections. Everyone is ganging up on poor Juan de la Cruz, as most of the taxes being considered are regressive in nature like the VAT, text-tax, and taxes on petroleum, the latter causing a chain reaction of an increase in prices of basic commodities.

With a few more months left in office, GMA must impose a firm curb of government spending in many sectors. She must start by limiting her travels abroad. COA records showed that the president spent P2.7 billion since 2003 which is more than double the P1.1 billion limit set by Congress from 2003-2008. The travel expense keeps swelling every year. Sanamagan!

The Philippines faces important challenges. Perhaps the most basic and pressing need is to increase government revenues to allow for sustainable economic development. This requires a stronger political will, especially where perceived corruption and inefficient tax collection have increased public resistance to paying taxes.

Just a few days ago, LTO lifted the requirement of the Tax Identification Number (TIN) card in processing a driver’s license. A TIN as we all know will show that the person is a taxpayer. Having the TIN as a requirement at the LTO is one way of helping the government in its drive to obligate the citizens to update their taxes. Shouldn’t government agencies coordinate with one another in their efforts to protect and control the systems used? Every professional Filipino must have a TIN just as we are required to have an SSS card. What kind of message does this move send to the citizenry? Can we just easily bend and change the rule and condone the dishonesty of those who inadvertently do not pay taxes?

Revenue collection fell in absolute terms in 2009 compared to the year before. The total revenue in the first five months of 2009 amounting to P456.2 billion was a 5-4 present down from the same period last year. Inefficiency and corruption in the tax collection agencies have resulted in the non-collection of significant amounts of government revenue. The government continues to deal with distorted priorities. Economic managers are quick to push for new taxes, higher government fees and charges, and cutbacks on social services spending. But the most important sources of deficit pressures are still left un-addressed: graft and corruption, trade liberalization, foreign investment incentives, unproductive debt service, and military spending.

* * *

Eid Mubarak! This greeting congratulates all Muslims around the world for withstanding the rigor of 29-30 days of fasting during Ramadan. Today (well actually yesterday), Muslims all over the world ended their Islamic Holy month of Ramadan.

We have entered a new age of interfaith relations – a positive interaction between people of different religious and spiritual traditions, where we find a common ground in our beliefs through a concentration on similarities between faiths, understanding of values, and commitment to the world. Thus, we give way to the holiday of one of the oldest religions in the world – Islam.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Similar to the Catholic’s observation of Lent, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and indulging in any ill behavior and thought from dawn until sunset. Fasting is meant to teach the Muslims patience, modesty and spirituality.

As Barack Obama put it in his Ramadan message: “Fasting is a concept shared by many faiths – including my own Christian Faith – as a way to bring people closer to God, and to those among us who cannot take their next meal for granted. And the support that Muslims provide to others recalls our responsibility to advance opportunity and prosperity for people everywhere. For all of us must remember that the world we want to build – and the changes that we want to make – must begin in our own hearts, and our own communities.”

It is clear that President Obama contrary to his predecessors has chosen a different route to achieve peace – and that is through understanding. As he ended his Ramadan message, he said, “All of these efforts are a part of America’s commitment to engage Muslims and Muslim-majority nations on the basis of mutual interest and mutual respect. And at this time of renewal, I want to reiterate my commitment to a new beginning between America and Muslims around the world…All of these efforts are aimed at advancing our common aspirations – to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our faith. It will take time and patient effort. We cannot change things over night, but we can honestly resolve to do what must be done, while setting off in a new direction – toward the destination that we seek for ourselves, and for our children. That is the journey that we must travel together”.

AMERICA AND MUSLIMS

AS BARACK OBAMA

CHRISTIAN FAITH

EID MUBARAK

GOVERNMENT

ISLAMIC HOLY

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

MUSLIMS

MUSLIMS AND MUSLIM

PRESIDENT OBAMA

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