The PH has problems and taxing is a lot of them
Some people work hard for money, others are just sitting around it. (Photo: Pixabay)
Why does it seem like those who are most capable of paying taxes are the ones who do not want to pay taxes?
Fine, have it your way
Despite the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) confirming that they’re already knocking at the door of the Marcos family to pay off their P203 billion tax liabilities, they still refuse to do so – or even acknowledge its existence.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said that the Marcoses can’t settle because of “pending litigation”.
It seems that the biggest thing the late dictator President Ferdinand E. Marcos left his heirs is one heck of a bill to settle. Since they refuse to cooperate, the BIR is taking matters into their own hands as they plan on auctioning off the properties that were not paid for by the Marcos family.
However, the BIR also warned that this process would take time as “it involves selling at public auction to convert to cash.”
Victor D. Rodriguez, spokesperson of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. continues to dodge reality as he mentions in a statement that their rivals are misdirecting the public to think that the case is confirmed when it is still pending in court.
All the way back in 1997, the supreme court confirmed the decision to make the Marcos family’s estate tax liabilities as final and executory.
Additionally, retired Supreme Court Senior Associate justice Antonio Carpio said last Thursday that if Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. wins in the upcoming elections, the chances of collecting the P203 billion due will be very slim.
"The president has supervision and control over the entire executive department. Control means he can reverse their decision. He can preempt and make the decision himself," Carpio said.
It already has come to the point where even President Duterte himself is asking why can’t these billionaires pay off their taxes.
Speaking of billionaires, we have a lot of them
The Philippines is back on top! – with the number of crony capitalism in the country.
The Economist released its latest crony-capitalism index showing that 10% of the Philippine’s gross domestic product (GDP) belonged to businessmen who are enjoying extra economic benefits due to their close relationship with the government.
Majority of the crony sectors include banking, casinos, defense, extractive industries and construction.
The Philippines has always ranked high in the world with crony capitalism. Today, we are 4th while our previous ranking was 3rd place back in 2016.
Supporters of Rodrigo Duterte back in the 2016 elections hoped that he would open up a feudal political system that would allow cronyism to flourish. Six years later, it looks like they got their wish.
