Palace dares lawmakers against 12% VAT on oil to file opposing bill–Palace

MANILA, Philippines –Malacañang on Saturday dared lawmakers calling for the suspension of the collection of the 12-percent value added tax on oil to make the file the necessary bill decreasing the consumption tax on petroleum products if they deem the 12-percent rate too high for consumers.

Undersecretary Abigail Valte, President Benigno Aquino III’s deputy spokesperson, said decreasing the VAT rate or altogether doing away with the VAT on oil would have an impact on the government’s budget for basic services and other programs for the public.

“If they really feel strongly that 12 percent is too high, or they think that there should be a suspension, then the best place to start it would be in Congress or in the Senate,” Valte said on radio.