Ball on Palace’s court, SC says on tolls VAT By Virgilio Bugaoisan and Benjamin B. Pulta 09/30/2011

Ball on Palace’s court, SC says on tolls VAT

By Virgilio Bugaoisan and Benjamin B. Pulta 09/30/2011

The Supreme Court yesterday said the ball is on Malacañang’s court whether or not to impose the value-added tax (VAT) on road tolls starting tomorrow as there is no more legal impediment with the lifting of the temporary restraining order on the tax despite a pending motion for reconsideration on its imposition.

SC spokesman and Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said the Bureau of Internal revenue (BIR) may opt to impose the unpopular 12-percent VAT on toll rates after the SC lifted yesterday the freeze order issued against the imposition.

Despite wide public clamor mainly from the Senate and various transport and commuter groups, the Palace said President Aquino will not lift a finger to defer the implementation of the VAT on toll tomorrow.

At a press briefing, Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said Aquino would not intercede to stop the implementation of the VAT on toll because the Palace has no choice but to abide by the decision of the Supreme Court..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110930hed2.html