ROXAS TO HOUSE: PASS BILL EXEMPTING MINIMUM WAGE EARNERS FROM INCOME TAX
LET'S KEEP OUR COMMITMENTS IN LEDAC

Senator Mar Roxas urged his colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass the bill exempting minimum wage earners from income tax as part of their commitments during the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) last April 22.

"Sana ay maipakita ng ating mga congressman na hindi lang pakitang-tao ang mga ipinangako nila noong bago lang mag-Labor Day," Roxas said, upon receiving reports that the House's quorum problems are delaying a bill to adjust income taxes across-the-board for workers in the private sector.

"Let's keep the promises we made to the people. Passing the Affordable Medicines Bill two weeks ago is only the first of these. There's also the proposal to exempt minimum wage earners from income taxes, which our people need more than ever," he said.

Both the House proposal and Roxas' Senate Bill No. 103 aim to provide more take-home pay for low-income laborers, and were discussed during the last LEDAC meet. The urgency of the proposals is underscored by the record-high prices of oil and rice, among other basic commodities.

The Liberal Party President also lauded the House leadership's efforts to improve attendance in the lower chamber, so as to ensure a quorum for passing priority legislation.

"Maganda ang ideya ni Speaker Boy Nograles na maglagay ng 'double roll-call' na sistema tuwing session ng Kongreso. Dapat magamit itong bagong sistema para maipasa ang mga importanteng panukala kagaya ng tax exemption para sa mga minimum wage earners," Roxas said.