Headline
Lawmakers oppose lifting of bank secrecy law
The Plenary Hall, House of Representatives Complex, Constitution Hills, Quezon City
(Photo by Malacañang Photo Bureau/Robert Viñas)
MANILA – With the Malacañang saying that they will support the passage of the income tax reform bill if the Congress lifts the bank secrecy law, several lawmakers stressed that the proposal may discourage businessmen and lead to the harassment of some politicians.
“I am against it (lifting bank secrecy law) because this will scare off local and foreign investors,” House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. said.
“It’s a gambit against the idea of lowering income tax. My challenge to BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) is to expand the miniscule tax base of the country and start with the country’s richest families and those, although ostensibly not rich, who deport themselves with super expensive cars,” he added.
Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, on the other hand, believed that the Palace’ proposal may be ‘good and very laudable for transparency and accountability.’ He feared, however, that the anti-tax evasion measure may allow the persecution of some members of the opposition.
“Passing this right now is ill timed because we have a color-blind government or selective in giving justice and not sincere in prosecuting violators of the country’s laws,” Romualdez said.
“This could be used as a tool for persecution or harassment against members of the political opposition. This government has a track record of demolishing the image of its enemies,” he added.
Buhay Hayaang Yumabong (Buhay) party-list Representative Lito Atienza also saw that the lifting of the bank secrecy law could be used politically instead, pointing out the Aquino administration’s alleged ‘selective justice.’
“I would support that under a different condition, kapag nakikita mong fair play ang labanan, ngayon peligroso. I am not in support now because this can be used politically. We can’t do this under a regime behind selective justice, mabigat iyan. Kawawa naman ang oposisyon,” Atienza said.
(I would support that under a different condition, when you see that there’s fair play in the fight; right now, it’s perilous. I am not in support now because this can be used politically. We can’t do this under a regime behind selective justice, that’s formidable. I pity the opposition.)
It can be noted that Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay, who named himself as the leader of the opposition, has been facing numerous corruption allegations against him.
Crizel Santiago
September 18, 2015 at 4:10 PM
Malacañang said it will support proposals from the Senate and the House to reduce income taxes if Congress will agree to lift bank secrecy to aid the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in digging up hidden deposits for tax purposes?? Kailangan may condition at may kapalit?UNAHIN muna nila problema ng EDSA sa TRAFFIC hindi mga nonesense na issue .
Nicko Alvarado
September 18, 2015 at 4:12 PM
Anti-tax evasion measure being pushed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) would shoo away businessmen and could be used as “a tool for persecution or harassment against members of the political opposition.”
Rizal Jun Mariano
September 18, 2015 at 4:13 PM
This could be used as a tool for persecution or harassment against members of the political opposition. This “GOVERMENT” has a track record of demolishing the image of its enemies..
John Carlo Mateo
September 18, 2015 at 4:13 PM
Passing this right now is ill-timed because we have a color-blind government or selective in giving justice and not sincere in prosecuting violators of the country’s laws..
om_ielle
September 18, 2015 at 4:14 PM
This bill “amending certain provisions of the Bank Secrecy Law” is not good because of government bias against political opposition.
Gretchen Tehasa
September 18, 2015 at 4:57 PM
Give us at least valid reason before passing this bill, I bet local and private firms didn’t know this yet…HAHA
Wilbert Bautista
September 18, 2015 at 5:00 PM
Sabihin na nating may magandang intensyon ang palasyo pero masyado pang mainit sa masa ang mga money cases ng government paano nila ito ipapaliwanag sa madla pagnagkataon.
Noel Ranjo
September 18, 2015 at 5:03 PM
Hindi biro ang gusto nila malamang uulanin sila ng batikus kapag tinuloy nila ito. haynakum, tho may point si congressman
Raymond Arcillas
September 18, 2015 at 5:09 PM
Naku! pag-aralan nyo muna yang mabuti bago nyo ihain baka ibato sa inyo yan pabalik ng taong bayan…be reasonable enough 😀