As the lone opposition member within the top 12 in recent senatorial surveys, Senator Benigno Aquino IV underscored the need for a dissenting voice amid contentious reforms and controversies hounding the Duterte administration.
Aquino said he is thankful to the public for landing on the Magic 12. He added that senators need to oppose the programs of the government that would prejudice the interest of Filipino families.
“It is important that the Senate should be balanced,” said Aquino, who was the only re-electionist senator who opposed the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.
“We must strengthen the independence of the Senate by electing officials who are not afraid to oppose the administration and join the minority, especially now that the Supreme Court has shown its blatant bias,” he added.
He also said that senators should stand for the public and for democracy.
Aquino placed 11th in the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted last April 7 to 11 with respondents of 1,200.
In the latest Pulse Asia senatorial survey conducted from March 23 to 28, he was also the lone opposition who made it to the top 12, landing in a tie for 10th place.
Aquino was one of four senators, and the only re-electionist senator, who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law, due to the expected price increases and negative impact on poor Filipino families.
Recently, Aquino submitted Senate Bill No. 1798 that seeks to amend the controversial tax reform program that will suspend the collection of excise tax on fuel once inflation rate breaches the prescribed “target range.”
In Aquino’s measure, the excise tax on fuel under TRAIN will be suspended when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.
“Kailangan na muna nating i-preno ang TRAIN dahil marami na itong nasasagasaan na mahihirap na Pilipino sa dala nitong pagtaas sa presyo ng bilihin,” he said.