The leaders of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) denounced the new tax schemes of the Macapagal-Arroyo government as nothing but pests to the Filipino people. These were packaged in the so-called 8 pt. Tax measure of the regime which are as follows; the proposal to shift to gross income tax system; repealing of the value added tax (VAT) in favor of more simple system; taxing windfall profits of telecommunication firms; increasing tax revenues from alcohol and tobacco products and from petroleum products; rationalizing fiscal incentives; instituting a targeted tax amnesty, and offering a performance-driven system for revenue agencies.

According to Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, secretary general of the group “instead of going after the big time tax evaders like Lucio Tan, Gloria is passing the burden to already starving peasants and fisher folks, who are also included in the new tax measure. Agricultural and marine products are also said to be stricken from the list of tax exempted products,”

The group also pointed out that this is all geared and jives in the framework of Charter change because these new tax measures are unconstitutional and a cha-cha is needed to implement it. These measures as well as the 1-2 million hectares to be  given to agri-business violates the provisions on our national patrimony and social justice.

 “These measures are a sure pest that will ruin the lives of more Filipinos. They will cause an increase in the cost of production of farmers, as well as lower the income of peasants and fisher folks. The new tax measures will also mean the neglect of social services and an increase in the prices of basic commodities,”
 

“We are warning the Arroyo government that we will take this issue up to the Supreme Court to prove once and for all that she is selling our country piece by piece to foreign trans-national corporations,” ended Ramos. # # #
 

KMP - 24 July 2004