value added tax

TRAIN-driven rising cost of living makes wage hike urgent

July 9, 2018

Research group IBON said that tax-driven inflation is making the meager wages of poor Filipinos fall even further behind the rising cost of living. The group said this makes it even more urgent for the government to immediately raise wages even as it revisits the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law behind the […]

Slow TRAIN cash transfers highlight govt’s insensitivity–IBON

February 27, 2018

The poor will get relief about three months into suffering TRAIN-induced price increases with millions of others only getting it much later  Research group IBON said that the slow implementation of the Duterte administration’s social mitigation measures including its cash subsidies highlights how these are just an afterthought to cover up how the Tax Reform […]

Even more money for the rich under TRAIN law – IBON

January 12, 2018

The rich and other higher income groups will have larger take home pay than previously estimated under the new tax law, while the poor will still bear the brunt of paying higher taxes, said research group IBON. IBON said that the highest earning 40% or about 9.1 million households will have even more money in […]

No thanks: US behind Duterte’s anti-poor tax reform

November 13, 2017

At the onset of the much-anticipated first-ever bilateral talks between United States president Donald Trump and President Rodrigo Duterte on Philippine soil, it should be reiterated that the US has a hand in what would be the most anti-poor tax program in the country’s history. The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) exemplifies how […]

Majority not in favor of tax reform proposals – IBON Survey

September 13, 2017

The latest survey of research group IBON showed that majority of Filipinos do not approve of almost all proposals under the first package of the Duterte administration’s proposed tax reform program. Survey respondents were informed that the government has a proposed tax reform package. They were presented with a list of some of the tax […]

Budget cuts will worsen shelter problem–IBON

August 17, 2017

Research group IBON said that the decreased 2018 housing budget will worsen the housing problem in the country. Amid a persistent housing backlog and disproportionate and rapid growth of urban population, the Duterte administration’s proposed housing budget cuts could affect millions of Filipinos in need of homes. The group said that it is the government’s […]

Tax the richest to provide much-needed social services, Duterte gov’t urged

September 27, 2016

Research group IBON remarked that the Department of Finance’s (DOF) proposed tax plan essentially remains elitist and is inconsistent with President Duterte’s pro-poor stance. Following the president’s lead, government should be brave enough to tax the richest businesses and families instead of burdening the poor with new taxes. The DOF on Monday submitted to Congress […]

World Bank tax help unwelcome

September 20, 2016

Research group IBON said that the World Bank’s recent offer to assist the Department of Finance (DOF) with its tax reform plan, although not surprising, is unwelcome news. The World Bank with twin global financial pillar International Monetary Fund (IMF) has long been at the forefront of designing the Philippines’ regressive tax system, including providing […]

DOF tax reforms relieve rich while burdening poor–IBON

September 5, 2016

Research group IBON said that the Department of Finance’s (DOF) proposed tax reform program relieves the rich and burdens the poor. The group said that this will worsen inequality in the country and should be replaced by a tax program that taxes the rich instead and is backed with the required political will. The DOF […]