President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday asked Congress to speed up the first package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program proposed by his administration amid continued debates at the Lower House.
Duterte sent a letter addressed to both House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III on Monday, “certifying to the necessity of the immediate enactment” of the said measure.
The President said that the pending bill, House Bill No. 5636 or the proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) will “address the immediate need for tax reforms in order to achieve a simpler, more equitable and more efficient tax system characterized by lower personal income tax rates, a broader value-added tax (VAT) base, and higher excise taxes on oil products and automobiles, among others.
“With the bill certified as urgent, it will not undergo the “three-day rule” between the second and third reading, with approval on both levels likely within the same day.
The certification comes after a delay in the schedule approval eyed by House leaders, who earlier announced their intent to have the bill hurdle second reading by May 24, Wednesday.
They are seeking approval on third and final reading by Wednesday, May 31, the last plenary session before Congress adjourns its session.
Last week, lawmakers have submitted their individual amendments to the proposed measure.
