If only the evidence of corruption against Vice President Jojo Binay were not overwhelming, I would consider voting for him in the May election simply because of his promise that those earning P30,000 a month (annual income of P360,000) and below will be exempted from paying income tax.
Kim Henares’ BIR is really a heavy cross for freelance workers who are not earning a lot.
When I was a fulltime employee of Ang Pahayagang Malaya, filing of income tax returns was taken care of by the office accountant. Since my retirement from the newspaper, I have been doing freelance work. I have to do my own filing with the BIR. It’s so stressful.
I was compelled to register as “single proprietor” with the BIR because companies I deal with require receipts. With or without income, I have to file a monthly percentage tax. Then I have to file the quarterly tax, then the annual income tax return and renewal of annual registration every January.
It’s like my life now is devoted to filing something with the BIR every month. It has happened a number of times that I missed filing the monthly percentage tax and the quarterly income tax. Even just a one day delay, I had to pay P1,000.
Ang bigat.
Binay is wise for targeting these group of indignant voters. To those who doubt if that could be done without sacrificing public services, he said at his campaign kick-off rally at Welfareville in Mandaluyong City Tuesday, that the government is losing billions of pesos due to unabated smuggling, inefficient tax collection, and improper use of public funds. He said that his government would prioritize reversing that situation so as not to add to the burden of the Filipino workers.
His promise appeals to the Filipino middle-income workers. Now, if only he is not embroiled in corruption charges.
Miriam Santiago, who said she is on remission from lung cancer, didn’t disappoint media with another “hugot” line while addressing rallies in Ilocos Norte to jump start the campaign. At the Mariano Marcos University, her face noticeably quivering, she said: “If I die before I finish my six-year term, Sen. Marcos, will be more than able fit for the position.”
Rodrigo Duterte made a variation of his standard boast of having killed those he suspected of engaging in criminal activities and promise of doing more of it if and when he becomes president.
At his kickoff rally in Tondo, he included the militant Kilusang Mayo Uno or KMU in his hit list. He promised to provide jobs through economic zones. “ Mag-imbita ako, dito kayo magtrabaho. Wag kayong… magmamadali. Tapos kayong mga KMU, medyo pigilan na muna ninyo ang mga labor unions. Ako na ang nakikiusap sa inyo. Wag ninyong gawin iyan. Kasi sisirain mo ang administrasyon ko. Kapag ginawa ninyo iyan, patayin ko kayong lahat. Ang solusyon dito, patayan na. Eh pag-usapan mo, ayaw. Do not do it now, iyung active labor front. Kasi kapag ginawa ninyo, nagsasara. Do not do it. Give the Philippines respect for about 10 years.”
Grace Poe at Plaza Miranda was also in a fighting mood against poverty, criminality, inefficient government service, long lines in the MRT, exhausting traffic. She borrowed a quote from one of FPJ’s movies: “Puno na ang salop ng kahirapan, puno na ang salop ng katiwalian. Dapat na itong kalusin.”
Roxas reiterated his call for the people to join him in the next chapter of Tuwid na Daan.
Continuing his negative campaign strategy, Roxas promoted himself while stigmatizing his opponents as “thieves, abusers, and tricksters.”
Although still lagging in the surveys, Roxas declared: “We are here. We are unstoppable. We will win.”
Ellen,
I’ll try to be brief without sacrificing the beef.
I’ve been your avid follower and sympathizes in your crusade for responsible journalism since Apo Marcos, the Jose Burgos’ Malaya days — remembered still when you were questioned, surveilled by the dictator’s security apparatchiks.
Consistently, I have high regards in your journalistic fair instincts and respect your life-long efforts to avoid the pitfalls of a journalist usually succumbs to an ailment — Corruption.
Am won’t to accuse your person of being corrupt because you’re incorruptible.
I understand too, the personal and professional friendships you have with other media practitioners affiliated with different presidential campaigns: truly, none of my business, however, your report above mirrors of one being gullible, a gross misinformation apparently fed by Rodrido Duterte’s political foes.
A little backgrounder on Duterte’s lesser known political history and affiliations: first appointed by Cory’s revolutionary government as vice mayor of Davao City after serving 10 years as government state prosecutor, he won the subsequent first free elections that followed as City Mayor under the banner of Bagong Alyansa Makabayan (BAYAN).
Hence then, his succeeding feats were supported by the local Bayan chapter mainly due as it’s tribute to Duterte’s late mother, Soledad ‘Nanay Soleng’ Roa, and partly due to his strict non-violent interference to labor movement’s clamor for fair wages and union organizing.
Apparently, Manila-centric media personalities know little of Nanay Soleng. Rodrigo Duterte’s mother was once at the forefront of Region XI’s struggles against Marcos dictatorship, a personal claim you might say, but could easily be fact-checked from your sources within Gabriela, or Bayan, or KMU.
Duterte’s take-no-prisoner type of governance is often played by Manila-based media as iron-rule. Truth is, there’s no other city outside Metro Manila where sectoral organizers of any political persuasion can freely form groupings without any negative interference from the local government as Davao City’s.
So why then does a Rodrigo Duterte for president candidacy strike horror and sleepless nights among other candidates?
Long story shortened is* Duterte is a traitor to the ruling elite political class. He is one of them, or at least a scion of one.
Duterte’s lineage traces its roots to the powerful political clan of Cebu* the Durano’s, the Almendras’. His father’s elder sibling served once as Cebu City mayor way back.
Digong’s father himself, Vicente Duterte was the governor of what is known today as Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental (known then collectively as simply Davao).
The mother, Nanay Soleng Roa, was herself a scion of the landed Roa’s of Northern Mindanao.
On top of this all, Duterte was offered either a cabinet post or a senatorial slot by all past presidents starting with Fidel Ramos. He demurred all these entreaties with a gracious excuse that he wants to concentrate and fix his adopted Davao City — back then, almost a killing field.
Thus, your report above (mis)quoting Duterte and giving the impression that he is anti-labor and anti-democratic is patently absurd, a cheap, gross misinformation. Besides, all existing and established facts portrays exactly the opposite.
Duterte discussed before the Tondo crowd his economic program in part by establishing a fairly distributed eco-zones throughout the country, if elected and tentatively put forward the idea of asking for a strike moratorium from the labor groups, specifically the KMU (known for its militancy) to enable business start-ups to continue employing people.
Duterte’s pronouncements is in the context of: ” Guys, look. I’m bent on stopping criminality and corruption in the government. You want this too, right? I’m asking for your share. Let us put this together and help me succeed–in providing jobs to the people.”
Prior and subsequent speeches related to this issue will bear me out. Please check Alan Cayetano, the VP candidate’s FB account, the latest was yesterday’s (Feb.13,2016) afternoon large crowd rally in Tagum、Davao del Norte.
Finally, if there’s a need to clarify Duterte’s pronouncements, may I refer you to Peter Lavina, a Davao-based blogger who is included in your blogroll. He’s been designated as official spokesperson of Rodrigo/Cayetano’s campaign.
Peace.
Imposible na mangyari iyan na exempted sa income tax ang sumasahod ng 30,000 pababa. Tiyak aangal ang sumasahod ng 30,000 pataas. Saan din kukuha ng budget kapalit ng mga nakukuhang pera sa mga tax mula sa 30,000 pababa. Ang KMU sa totoo lang ay walang kakuntentuhan. Mahilig mag rally. Kapag eleksyon ang magpauto sa mga sinasabi ng politiko ay uto uto.
Arvin @ 5, that is quite possible, but not with increasing the Cash Transfer at the same time, but with the conjunction of the program..for example the Govt will establish the threshold for which a family (a family of 5 for example) must earn to cross that Poverty Line and given the example of 30000 then any group or individual in that category will be exempt from paying income Tax and anyone under will be entitled to Government assistance Program like the Cash transfer, and other that the govt can afford.. by avoiding wasteful and unnecessary expenses..there is also a very nice program the govt can do..like eVat rebate to the low income, which is only possible if filing of Tax returns is compulsory or required to claim the benefits.
You see we have that kind of exemptions for the low income that the First 20000 is not subject to Income Tax, and the Income tax returns is automatically assessed for Benefits, like Child Allowances, Housing allowances, “eVat” rebates and all other rebates, and Supplemental Income. And that is the Magic of Filing your annual Income Tax returns so the Govt can assess your taxes (keep you out of trouble) and whatever is due back to you Rightfully…
Just because you did not make any income last year, it is no reason not file Income Tax Returns so it will be much easier for the Govt. personnel to work out any claim for benefits or entitlement..that is one step to make the bureaucracy much more efficient and minimize red tape that is of the causes of corruption. With automation, it is now very doable. Just needs some work instead of talk
Kung anu ano na lamang ang sinasabi ni Binay. Kanina sa radyo narinig ko na pag nanalo daw siya ay ilibre ang mga libro sa mga estudyante. Nariyan pa ang exempt sa tax kapag sumasahod ng 30,000 pesos pababa. Puro na lang libre siguro kung manalo siya. Paano uunlad ang bansa kung ang lahat ay libre. Dapat ang mga tao ay may pinagbabayaran para mag sumikap sa buhay.
Kung mag libre sa tax sa mga sumasahod ng 30, 000 pababa ay ang mag sakripisyo ang mga mamamayan din. Kasi ang binabayaran nilang tax ay dagdagan para mapunan ang pera na mawawala doon sa nakukuha mula sa tax ng sumasahod 30,000 pababa. Ganun din sa mga libro kung ilibre. Pero marami pa rin ang uma idol kay Binay, pero may laban sa kanya si Roxas. Sila lang dalawa ang consider na kandidato pagka presidente.
Hi Arvin,
Si Rodrigo Duterte po per latest, this week’s survey is already at #2 tied with Grace Poe. Binay’s top spot is unstable, and within striking distance with only a five percent lead (and there’s an error margin of 2%), and he’s been campaigning for more than a year.
Mar Roxas, meanwhile remains in the tank, unable still to grasp correctly the issues, and faces issue of Trust.
Digong Duterte’s campaign has barely started, yet his campaign themes resonates clearly with the electorate–in tune with ongoing reality and people’s aspirations.
Duterte’s latest feat (just today): a highly coveted public endorsement from an influential thinker-doer, Emeterio Barcelon, SJ.
A Jesuit! (Probably, a friend of the Jesuit Pope in Rome).
By the way Duterte’s supporters interpret him to the public, it is apparent that Duterte is a candidate who says what he doesn’t mean and means what he doesn’t say.
I don’t think I will vote for such a candidate. I don’t think that is the candidate that the Filipino people needs to elect as President.
I’m sure you meant “Am NOT wont…” if not, you just admitted you’re trolling.
Father Barcelon, almost 90 years old is probably everything that is wrong in a priest who has taken his vow of poverty. After serving as President in Ateneo de Davao – the school that expelled Duterte – he was also VP of Xavier and sat on the board of Gokongwei’s Oriental Petroleum – the company that probably would celebrate if and when the UN Tribunal rules in favor of China in the SCS fiasco. Oriental Petroleum was founded by now-defunct Manila Stock Exchange Chairman Jose Ma. Barcelon, the priest’s brother. Josephine Barcelon has replaced the priest in OPMC’s Board. But he is still SVP of F&J Prince Holdiings. A poverty-vowed priest deeply involved in lots of private money? He was a good prof in AIM, but at his present state of mind and age, I wouldn’t take anything he says seriously anymore.
Of course he knows the Pope for sure, pero hindi sila friends ng “putang inang Pope”. Like Fr. Barcelon, the Pope is also a Jesuit, the order from which a priest whom Duterte accused in media “fondled him during confession” came from.
I’m already excited to see a Duterte victory.
And watch fervently for six months to see how he will end corruption, illegal drugs and criminality. I’m stacking up on my popcorn.
Tongue,
I hope not to sound cavalier, because right now am despondent over my omission, but thank you so much for calling my attention. I couldn’t thank you enough for giving me the chance to rectify.
Ellen,
Please accept my sincere apologies for the omission. That particular sentence should have read, as Tongue point-out,
” Am NOT wont to accuse your person of being corrupt because you’re incorruptible.”
I was then furiously writing without much regard to syntax. And horrible I became as a result.
Please bear. I am so sorry for any hurt feelings I may have caused you and your readers.
I could only wish WordPress generously provide an edit function in the near future.
No problem, yinyang.