No to Text Tax - Revilla

Senator Bong Revilla, Chairman of the Senate Public Services Committee, reiterated his stand to oppose any move to impose additional taxes on texting. According to Revilla, texting has developed to be the cheapest and most accessible means of communication, and said that the imposition of the text tax will definitely burden the public.

"While the stimulus program that this new tax will fund is understandably a legitimate purpose, this tax will just be passed on to subscribers, effectively making them shoulder this burden," Revilla said. "Lalo na sa panahon ngayon kung kailan mahalaga ang bawat sentimo sa ating mga kababayan, hindi natin dapat dagdagan ang kanilang mga pasanin. Tutal, itong stimulus program na binubuo ng Kongreso ay para sa mga maliliit, hindi dapat sa mga maliliit din kunin ang pondo para dito. 'Pag ganito ang nangyari, parang kinuhanan lang natin sila ng pera kapalit ng pangako na ibabalik din naman natin sa kanila ito," the legislator added.

Revilla implored the Government to find other means of raising funds that are more equitable and just. "Hindi naman dapat tanging ang mga maliliit ang pumasan ng kabuuan ng krisis pang-ekonomiya na nararanasan natin ngayon. Those who have more should naturally be made to contribute more," the Senator ended.