Candidates' claim on TRAIN's link to fuel prices needs context
During the second ABS-CBN Harapan Senatorial Town Hall Debate last February 24, Otso Diretso candidates Romulo Macalintal, Gary Alejano, Mar Roxas, and Erin Tañada, and Makabayan candidate Neri Colmenares blamed the rising prices of basic goods on the increase in petroleum prices, which they blamed on the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act or TRAIN law.
A segment during the debate asked the candidates on how to lower the prices of goods. Aya Lachica, a mother and an owner of a small store, posed the question:
Isa po akong vendor. Nagsisikap naman po ako. Hindi naman po ako tamad, pero hirap pa rin po kami. Paano ninyo po kami matulungang mga mahihirap? Mapapababa niyo po ba ang presyo ng mga bilihin?
The candidates said:
Romulo Macalintal:
Bakit ba tumataas ang langis? Dahil sa taxes. Yang buwis na yan ay dapat pag-aralan.
Gary Alejano:
Ako'y naniniwala na itoy epekto ng TRAIN law, yung pagpatong ng taxes sa petroleum products.
Mar Roxas:
Alam naman natin kapag nagmahal ang transportasyon nagmamahal ang presyo ng lahat.
Erin Tanada:
Kailangan i-suspend ang exicse taxes , importante yan para hindi tumaas ang presyo ng bilihin.
Neri Colmenares:
Isang batas, nirerepeal ang EXCISE TAX ng TRAIN law, yan ang maitutulong namin sa inyo.
What the records say:
It is true that fuel price hikes can be attributed to the TRAIN law. However, the TRAIN law is not the only culprit. High crude oil prices in the world market and a weak peso also contributed to the sky-high price of fuel.
Watch the full story on ABS-CBN News
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