APPROXIMATELY a thousand residents from Batangas, led by 1st District Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste, converged at the House of Representatives to advocate for a vote on the proposed reduction of the Value-Added Tax (VAT).
Their presence marked the third hearing of the Legislative Energy Action and Development (LEAD) Joint Committee, where they pressed for action despite opposition from Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, the very official who authored the law that increased VAT from 10% to 12%.
Representative Leviste directly challenged Recto’s stance, asserting that as elected officials in a democracy with a separation of powers, Congress should not be dictated by a single Cabinet member. “As Congressman Dagooc mentioned, that Secretary Recto is the one blocking the reduction of the VAT, I would like to emphasize that we are all elected officials here in Congress. We are in a democracy with separation of powers—and Congress does not need to follow the voice of a single Cabinet member,” Leviste stated. He urged the House leadership to support the majority of Congress members who favor lowering the VAT, expressing hope that a vote would occur upon resumption of sessions on May 4.
Committee Chair Miro Quimbo echoed Leviste’s sentiment, emphasizing Congress’s commitment to its constituents. “Hindi rin tayo papayag na tayo ay magiging palamuti…Tayo ay magdedesisyon base sa kung ano ang tingin natin kinakailangan ng mga mamamayan despite whatever the Executive or Judiciary might say, we will make the decisions based on the mandate that is given to us individually by our respective districts and by sectors that we represent,” Quimbo declared. He assured me that the committee would carefully consider the proposal and make decisions based on the needs of the people, rather than being swayed by any single official’s position.
Following their appearance at the congressional hearing, the Batangueños returned to Liwasang Bonifacio for the eighth consecutive day of their gathering. They continue their campaign to lower the VAT, which they argue is placing a significant burden on the Filipino populace. The persistent advocacy from Batangas residents underscores the growing public demand for fiscal relief, particularly concerning the impact of VAT on the cost of living.
