Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion

World Bank wants to tax Filipinos, but not the rich

April 8, 2025

Tax reforms should align with broader developmental goals like reducing inequality, strengthening public services, and promoting inclusive growth rather than narrowly focusing on revenue maximization. The government should object to World Bank conditionalities as a matter of principle.

Gov’t can mitigate oil price hikes by scrapping fuel taxes

August 8, 2023

The Marcos Jr administration can moderate the impact of oil price hikes on millions of Filipinos by scrapping excise and value-added taxes for petroleum products.

Use ₱133.9-billion TRAIN revenues for ayuda – IBON

August 14, 2021

The Duterte administration can use revenue generated by its regressive TRAIN law to fund emergency cash assistance. TRAIN’s new taxes increased the prices for goods and services consumed by the majority poor Filipinos even amid the pandemic and the revenues can be used productively while the law remains.

Why make the poor pay for COVID-19 response?

May 24, 2020

COMMENTARY

There’s more than enough money for all the COVID-19 response we need – the Duterte administration just has to take the side of the people and stop being so scared of the rich.

IBON questions CITIRA job creation claims

October 3, 2019

Research group IBON said the Department of Finance’s (DOF) claim of over a million jobs to be created by corporate income tax cuts under the proposed Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (CITIRA) is imaginary. The group said that the DOF is hyping job creation to justify implementation of regressive tax measures. CITIRA will […]

How do the senatoriables fare?: TRAIN LAW

March 22, 2019

WHO’S SCARED TO DEBATE THE TRAIN LAW? The TRAIN Law implemented since 2018 increased the tax burden on tens of millions of the poorest Filipinos while lowering taxes on higher income families including the country’s richest. Some lawmakers have reconsidered but others still defend the indefensible. Most aspiring senators are justifiably critical. Who’s who?