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BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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Friday, June 2, 2017
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MANILA – Two senators took offense at the comments of Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia as the executive branch puts pressure on Congress to pass the proposed tax reform package.
Pernia, also the National Economic and Development Authority director, urged lawmakers to approve the tax measure “in toto.”
In a recent press briefing in Malacañang, Pernia asked Congress to “have more trust in the economic team.” He warned that any delay in the passage of the tax reform package would adversely affect the government’s infrastructure program.
“They (Congress) should realize that we in the economic team, our interest is really just the country’s development, the improvement of society,” he said. “We have no personal agenda at all. And we are trained to do economic analysis, tax analysis. Hence, we know what is best, what is optimal.”
“Nakakainsulto naman sila,” said Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon. “Labingsiyam na taon na akong tumitingin ng budget. We don’t claim expertise but, certainly, we know something about the budget.”
“And if Pernia’s statement is accurate, I find that a little arrogant. (Ang) yabang naman niya. Labangsiyam na taon ko nang tinitingnan ang budget, hanggang ngayon wala pa akong natutunan? Hindi naman siguro.”
Sonny Angara, chairman of the Senate ways and means committee, also expressed displeasure over Pernia’s comment.
“We don’t appreciate that pressure from the executive branch. We are doing our best here,” Angara said. “It seems like we are being set up for failure. Kumbaga kung hindi natin pinasa ang gusto nila, kasalanan namin kung bumagsak ang ekonomiya.”
The executive branch, not the legislative branch, “controls the steering wheel,” said Angara.
“We are prioritizing it (proposed tax reform package) but we don’t appreciate those kinds of pronouncements from the executive … that try to put us in the corner,” he said./PN
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