Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has urged the government to use the P13–P14 billion windfall from VAT on fuel to fund direct aid for Filipinos hit by rising oil prices.
He said the extra collections were not earned but came from higher fuel costs due to the Middle East conflict.
“Windfall’ lang ang tawag diyan dahil hindi naman planado o pinaghirapan ng gobyerno ang dagdag na koleksyon. Tumaas lang ang presyo ng langis kaya mas mataas din ang VAT na pumapasok. Mas tama na ibalik ito sa mga pinakaapektadong sektor bilang tulong,” Escudero said.
The senator warned against the government appearing to profit from the crisis. “It’s like a businessman profiteering from high prices. Government is not a businessman, and it should not engage in profiteering,” he stressed.
Escudero made the call after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said VAT on petroleum would stay, with the windfall to be used for crisis response.
Finance officials earlier estimated the VAT surge could reach up to P14 billion despite tax suspensions on LPG and kerosene.IMT
