‘Rich vs poor’ excuse

Yesterday, I watched a former Cabinet member say that it would be unwise to remove or suspend the excise tax on fuel because the government would lose money, and the cut would only benefit the rich who have SUVs and luxury vehicles.

The so-called energy expert said that cheaper fuel will only encourage the rich to drive their vehicles more. This old and malicious statement or logic has been used to make “rich” people look bad, make politicians look pro-poor and simply politicize government subsidies and handouts.

The Trapo did not say that there are only a limited number of “Rich SUV owners” compared to the hundred million-plus Filipinos whose lives will have some stability by keeping fuel and energy costs at current rates.

The call to suspend or remove the excise tax on fuel imports is not a class issue. The law provides that if certain conditions occur, it is understood that the excise tax may be removed or suspended.

That provision clearly took into consideration that the greater good or public interest takes priority over duties or taxes that ultimately hurt, harm or burden consumers and destabilizes the country’s economic movement.

The last thing we need is some Trapo demonizing the “Rich” who worked for their SUVs, paid their taxes and did not get them as perks of a political position or pure corruption.

Another government official, this time from the Bureau of Customs, points out that the government could lose P200 billion to P230 billion in revenue and seriously impact the annual collections of the BOC.

To be blunt, now they worry about P200 billion to P230 billion in lost revenues but who among them balked when hundreds of billions were actually STOLEN, not lost, due to ghost projects and corrupt CongTractors.

If the BOC is really concerned about its revenue collections, perhaps they should really pray and fast for the Holy Spirit to expose the corruption and leakages in the bureau as well as open their eyes to see other revenue generating areas.

If these former and current officials are really concerned about the impact of the Middle East conflict on fuel prices, maybe they should join the tribe of people who have been saying to government, “Live within your means,” cut the fat and increase efficiency.

Incidentally, in case PBBM or his associates get to read this, let me just point out that when the President called on all government agencies to reduce their energy consumption, either electricity or fuel, he forgot to say who will check on them and when the deadline for compliance will be. Otherwise, his declaration will be a misdeclaration!

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For a bit of good news, we accompanied a foreign student to NAIA Terminal 3 last Sunday for her return flight abroad and ended up doing a short tour of the terminal’s new dining areas.

I felt like a tourist doing videos of the two floors that featured more and newer food outlets catering to the general public as well as upper class. I also noticed the big flight information boards at the food court.

We also checked out the “Blue Lane” that was actually a dedicated Immigration processing area for outbound OFWs, airline crew, diplomats, APEC and Business Class passengers. All this plus the automated system made the entire process quick and easy for passengers.

Our guest actually messaged me a few minutes after checking in with this message: “Uncle Cito, the airport departure inspection process is almost fully automated, very efficient.”

Unlike visits to the old Terminal 3, I did not hear any complaints about the toilet from my wife or daughter. In fact, they praised the new mall-styled toilets without “pila.” As always, I really appreciate that I can confidently go to T3 and not have to “knock, knock, knock on heaven’s door” for parking space.

The next time you go to the NAIA complex, please be one of the millions who praise and prays and not the constant critics who contribute nothing.

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For its 65th anniversary representing the 178 local chambers of commerce nationwide, the FFCCCII or Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. has officially launched a double TikTok competition based on the federation’s legacy of building barrio schools all over the Philippines.

At a press conference held at the historical Kamuning Bakery in Quezon City, federation president Victor Lim announced two categories to compete in.

Category A: #My FFCCCIIBarrioSchoolJourney – Personal stories from individuals directly connected to the FFCCII barrio schools.

Category B: #The FFCCCIIBarrioSchoolStory would be an open storytelling category for the general public that highlights the broader impact of the FFCCCII barrio schools initiative.

Submissions should specifically reflect on one or more of the following: how the FFCCCII barrio school changed a life or created an opportunity; how the school contributed to personal growth, values formation, future aspirations or national progress.

How the initiative positively affected a person, family or a community. The long-term educational impact of the program.

Each category will award P120,000 for first prize, P80,000 for second prize and P50,000 for third prize, while five special citations for President’s Choice award, Youth Leadership award, Media Excellence award, Education Impact award and Community award will each receive P30,000.

There will also be special consolation prizes for 20 other selected entries of P10,000 each.

Good luck to all participants as well as to the FFCCCII for their commitment to building public schools in far-flung and depressed areas.