By Alec Go
The government assured that election workers are still covered by support and benefits despite President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s move to veto House Bill 9652 which seeks to exempt poll workers’ honoraria and other benefits from taxation.
Marcos said Monday, Aug. 1, that he would prefer the provision of “ayuda” or assistance to poll workers. This was echoed by Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, saying that the move “is a matter of good housekeeping.”
“Ang mga ganitong proposal ay parang ibinabalik tayo doon sa dating sistema na marami na naman tayong exemptions at benepisyo na ibinibigay na nakaka-cause ng confusion,” Angeles said.
“Imbes na ganito, sabi ng ating Pangulo, magbigay tayo ng form of ayuda sa ating mga poll worker imbes na ang benepisyo ay gagawin sa pamamaraan ng pagtatanggal ng pagbubuwis,” she added.
Since July 1, Marcos has vetoed five bills including those seeking the creation of the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport, strengthening of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel, creating a transport safety board, expanding Davao Light and Power Company franchise.
Angeles said Marcos did not go into a “veto spree” and added that at least 41 laws have also lapsed into law.
“Itinotono lang naman ng ating Pangulo doon sa mga sistema ang mga batas natin, lalong-lalo na ang mga batas that involve some kind of tax break or tax benefits, itotono mo sa ating polisiya ng tax reform,” she said.
Marcos earlier said there is no need to “put a new section” in the payment of taxes for poll workers’ benefits as there is already a mechanism on the payout of assistance. – gb
