As Campaign Period Kicks Off:BAYAN to Pols — Address Economic Crisis

The economy should be at the forefront of discussions in the election campaign period according to umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.

The start of the campaign period coincides with a hefty increase in the prices of petroleum products that takes effect today.

“Candidates should make known their stand on high prices, especially the TRAIN Law. We’d rather have discussions on the economic crisis rather than empty rhetoric focused on personality politics. The people demand solutions to the crisis,” BAYAN said in a statement.

In a protest staged at the Buruea of Internal Revenue, the group said that issues such as high prices, additional taxes, a meaningful wage hike and an end to contractualization should take center stage in discussions involving national candidates.

“The TRAIN law remains a huge burden to consumers with its regime of additional taxes on the poor. Candidates seeking posts in the legislative branch should make clear their stand on TRAIN. Are they in favor of junking it or do they wish to continue burdening the public? The persistence of these high taxes is made even more unacceptable by the persistence of pork in the national budget. We are being bled dry so that politicians can maintain a system of corruption,” BAYAN added.

President helpless?

Yesterday, President Duterte said that he cannot to anything to stop rising oil prices, even if the people would hang him.

“We do not need to hang the president to bring down fuel prices. We can simply start with removing excise tax on oil brought about by TRAIN. This will immediately and significantly lower oil prices. It is doable,” BAYAN said.

“Government should also work on establishing a national oil industry in the medium to long term. Exploration of domestic sources of oil, especially those in the country’s exclusive economic zone, should be pursued with terms that do not compromise our national interests,” the group added. ###