KMU warns Noynoy against mounting calls for new taxes; ‘No smooth transition from Gloria’

Kilusang Mayo Uno called on president-apparent Noynoy Aquino to categorically reject proposals to impose new taxes coming from main economic personnel of the Arroyo administration.

“Noynoy promised not to impose new taxes during the campaign period. But he has gotten key Arroyo men in his economic team that makes the public wary if he can live up to such promise, that’s why he has to make a categorical rejection to new taxes as early as now,” KMU secretary general Roger Soluta said.

KMU noted that Ralph Recto, main author of the expanded VAT is back in senate now under Noynoy’s party. Joey Salceda, former economic adviser of Arroyo, and Cesar Purisima, former Finance Secretary of Arroyo and one of the brains behind RVAT, are also now under the team of Noynoy.

Arroyo has also recently suggested to Noynoy that it is “the responsibility of the next administration” to “sustain the economic policies” of her regime. Arroyo has also invited Noynoy to a joint cabinet meeting with his camp for a “smooth transition.”

“Smooth transition with Arroyo and sustaining her economic policies mean continued price hikes, additional taxes, frozen wages, and a lot of other policies that has dispossessed Filipino workers and masses for a long time now. Instead of a smooth transition, Noynoy should make a rough confrontation of Arroyo’s worst policies,” Soluta said.

KMU also noted that with big business groups and tycoons who bankrolled Aquino’s presidential bid now expecting much from him, pushing for the people’s demands becomes an ultimate challenge for the president-apparent.