Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo on Sunday said the fuel excise tax under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law must be completely removed.
In an interview with dzBB, Quimbo insisted on the removal of the excise tax on gasoline and kerosene, saying “the tax remains anti-poor even if the prices of fuel have gone down.”
“Almost 80 percent of the poor have to bear the brunt of excise tax on these two fuel products,” he said.
Quimbo expressed confidence that Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would back moves to scrap the excise tax on gasoline and kerosene.
“Many have already signified support for this move. I believe, before the year ends, there will be more and more support (to pour in). Hopefully, before our session adjourns, we can pass it,” he said.
“The way (Speaker) GMA works, she works based on consensus. If she sees there are many supporters, aside from her on perspective, she could easily give her support. Before I talk to her, I still have to galvanize our massive intra-party support when it comes to this matter,” he added.
House Bill No. 8171, which is still pending before the House committee on ways, seeks to return to zero the excise tax on kerosene and diesel.
The TRAIN Law imposed a P2.50 per liter excise tax increase on diesel and increased the levy on gasoline to P7 per liter.