Leftist solons file petition vs TRAIN before SC

Lawmakers inclined to the Left pushed through with their plans to block the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law by filing a petition to the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday.

Solons from Makabayan bloc in a 33-page petition asked the SC for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the TRAIN law, for the grounds of being unconstitutional by having no “quorum” after the Congress leadership succeeded in ratifying it in the last three minutes of the session.

“TRAIN nevertheless rammed through major procedural requirements set by the Rules of the Lower House, and by no less than the fundamental law of the land – the 1987 Constitution,” part of the petition read.

“The invalid ratification occurred at an unholy hour – unholy not only because of the late of the time, but also because the ratification occurred under appalling, reprehensible circumstances,” it added.

The petition also stated that though it is a priority legislation under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration and it was understandable that it should be passed “as soon as possible,” it should still be within the Constitution.

“So, on those last three minutes, before the time remaining on that final session day turns out on them, respondents drove their runaway TRAIN past all procedural barriers set by their own House Rules, and worse, set by the Constitution to which they have sworn to faithfully adhere,” the petition continued.

ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio, Bayan Muna Party-list Representative Carlos Zarate, and Anakpawis Representative Ariel “Ka Ayik” Casilao filed the petition.

Republic Act 10963 or TRAIN law, implemented on January 1, imposed taxes on kerosene and oil products while exempting raw materials, sugar-sweetened beverages, vehicles, coal, and rates of estates.

In exchange for the price hike on daily commodities, those earning 250,000 below annually are exempted from income tax.

Earlier in January, a few days after TRAIN’s implementation, the Makabayan bloc already expressed their opposition and plans of filing a case before the SC.

“We will challenge the legality of this runaway TRAIN as it was railroaded in the House without the required quorum and distribution of approved copies to the members,” Zarate said.