SEN. Loren Legarda is pushing for the revival of a joint commission that used to study, evaluate and review revenue measures and proposals in order to avoid delays in their enactment and, at the same time, ensure efficiency in implementing tax laws.

In filing Senate Bill 2485 creating a Joint Legislative Tax Commission (JLTC), Legarda said the proposal is aimed at minimizing the delays associated with legislation and resolving differing views of various parties concerned with the system of taxation.

According to Legarda, “the JLT Commission will be the venue for efficient deliberations to ensure that the different concerns are addressed and evaluated before a rationalized measure is undertaken by the respective committees in Congress.”

“Because of the surging oil prices and the resulting rise in the inflation rate, calls to revise the taxation system are pitched left and right by government and civil society alike. Proposals are brought forward in the guise of different schemes, all seeking to alleviate the plight of the common Juan and Juana de la Cruz who struggle to make ends meet amidst the rising cost of living,” she added.

“It’s time we adopted a mechanism to speed up the reforms necessary not just to help the common Filipino, but to help the country progress, as well, through the enhancement of the country’s fiscal strength,” she said.

Legarda said the JLT Commission will serve as a center that studies, evaluates and reviews the tax measures, and with the aid of comprehensive studies and researches, the developed tax-reform package would be assured of credibility and reliability.

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Legarda wants joint commission on tax revived, files SB 2485

SEN. Loren Legarda is pushing for the revival of a joint commission that used to study, evaluate and review revenue measures and proposals in order to avoid delays in their enactment and, at the same time, ensure efficiency in implementing tax laws.