Militant solons prepare for legal battle vs Train Law

By: Jhoanna Ballaran - January 06, 2018

Rep. Antonio Tinio of the Act Teachers party-list (File photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Members of the Left-leaning Makabayan bloc are set to challenge the newly-implemented Tax
Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Law before the Supreme Court, a lawmaker said
Saturday.

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said progressive lawmakers would file the petition
against the “anti-poor” tax law next week and question procedural and substantive issues
surrounding the measure.

“Hinahanda namin, yung Makabayan bloc, yung mga lawyers na katulong natin, ‘yung petition,”
Tinio said during the News Forum at Annabel’s Restaurant in Quezon City.

(The Makabayan bloc, together with the lawyers that are helping us, is preparing the petition.)

“Generally, we will raise procedural issues as well as certain substantive issues,” he added.

Tinio said they would question the validity of the law’s ratification as it was passed without a
quorum and voting on December 13.

As for the substantive issues, Tinio said the bloc would raise the regressive nature of the law,
contrary to the Constitution’s prescription of a “progressive” taxation.

While unsure if the SC would rule in favor of their petition, Tinio said that the “main arena” for
fighting the Train Law is not in the judiciary but in the people’s court.

“In the end, ang bola nasa taumbayan na. As I have said, dapat number one electoral issue ito,”
he said.

(In the end, the ball is in the hands of the people. As I have said, this should be the top electoral
issue.)

“‘Yung administration at mga legislators na nag inflict ng Train, pagpahahirap sa mayorya ng

mamamayan, kailangan panagutin sa election,” he added.

Reference: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/957938/militant-solons-prepare-for-legal-battle-vs-train-
law-makabayan-bloc-house-train-act-tinio-sc-tax#ixzz5DbW9Dg2G
 Militant solons prepare for legal battle vs
Train Law
I strongly agree with what these lawmakers were trying to petition. The recently passed
TRAIN LAW affects severely the majority of the population which are the ones who are in the
edge of poverty. This so-called “anti-poor” law should clearly be seen as a threat to an average
citizen’s income. It is unjust with low income earners because the goods were starting to have a
price hike, but their income stays the same. The taxes are a burden to the people, but it shouldn’t
be like this way where the poor are only the ones who suffer with this unfair decision. I have
read another news about the effects of train law and it states that the oil price hike could have a
domino effect on the prices of goods and services in the market and even wore for the next few
years. It is alarming and could be the reason for an increase in inflation rate. As a student I am
greatly concerned about the increase in oil product because the regular fare could go up to P12
due to a higher excise tax. It would be another burden for it is an additional expense that would
tend to reduce my savings and extra money. As I have said before it is burdensome for most of
the Filipino people and the poor have a tendency to be poorer because of the TRAIN Law. I hope
those people in authority realize and consider the effects of train law for the community as a
whole. This is not the only solution to whatever problems the government is facing. Taxes
should be seen as a tool for the growth and development of a country and not only as a burden.
Those taxes are supposed to be for the benefit of the community and for public purposes. But this
TRAIN Law wouldn’t make any sense if it will only be on the hands of the corrupt. It wouldn’t
make sense if it wouldn’t be for the benefit and progress of the people. What the representative
Tinio stated in the article was right- “‘Yung administration at mga legislators na nag inflict ng
Train, pagpahahirap sa mayorya ng mamamayan, kailangan panagutin sa election.” “While
unsure if the SC would rule in favor of their petition, Tinio said that the “main arena” for
fighting the Train Law is not in the judiciary but in the people’s court.” Considering the effects
of TRAIN law, I am just a concerned citizen that speaks up my mind about my thoughts and
opinion.