OPINION POLLS
Are you in favor of exempting all petroleum products from EVAT? Why / why not?
JONAH JERUSALEM
No! I am not in favor of lifting the EVAT on petroleum products. Let us recognize the fact that we are tied up with banks and other financial institutions domestically and abroad because of our debt. In reality, almost all of our money goes to the payments of these debts. The lifting of the EVAT (in part or in whole) may send a message to financial institutions like Standard and Poors and the World Bank that may adversely affect our credit worthiness or our ability to pay our debts. Under this scenario, our interest payments may increase because of higher interest rates on our debts brought by these low ratings. High interest payments translate to a longer relationship with all these credit institutions. I thought we do not like them.
GENE GARINGALAO
No let us just conserve more.
JAMES DY
Yes, the exemption will at least lighten our burden of the ever increasing prices.
ELISA DUSARAN
Yes, for the benefit of all people, end users.
ATTY. JOSE "Pepe" DEMAISIP
No because this knee-jerking intervention is precisely what spooks the markets when doing business in our country.
CLEMENTE TAN
I am in favor nakao kasi most of the money.
FICO CUERVO
Yes, due to inflation.
JUN SAQUIN
Yes, if the government wishes to really help cushion the impact of too much poverty to the public, I think this is one good way to do it.
DENNIS LOCSIN
Until such time we have alternate lower cost fuel available, the economy cannot withstand escalating fuel costs. So, for a short time and to ease the impact, I agree to a temporary exemption. To be reapplied when prices moderate, because we cannot also indefinitely forego the loss of the tax revenue for government.
HERSON CASIDSID
Yes, petroleum products are considered bloodline of every business. Exempting it from EVAT would also ease the heavy burden of every consumer.
GLORIA FERNANDEZ
Exempt!
JAIME ANTUNEZ
Yes for mass public transport, o for privates, country broke and in deficit spending mode. The government could use all the extra funds.
DR. ED DIAZ
Yes! A BIG 'YES'. That would be a big help to all...
CARMEN ANTUNEZ
Yes I am. There appears to be no short or medium term relief to rising prices of petroleum products globally. People in more affluent first world countries are feeling the pressure, what more for a country like ours. Majority of our countrymen are so poor that the effect of EVAT alone has been painful for whose budget could barely cover their needs.
GLO GUADARAMA-SAULOG
No. The oil price hike seems to be temporary in nature. Exemption would create havoc to our fiscal position and credit ratings. We should increase sin taxes and luxury goods.
IRMA LIM
Petroleum products are the main input in manufacturing our basic commodities. Logically increasing the cost of production will increase selling prices. It is the masses who will be most affected since they are the end consumers. They could have studied it seriously. I think they have seen the negative effect of VAT on the businesses during the first quarter of 2006, that is why there has been talks of scrapping it. VAT on petroleum is not a solution. I should know it.
DR. JEREMY SAQUIAN
Definitely. A relief from the pocket.
CANDY CAMPOS
Yes. Look at the economy.
EMMA NAVA
YES! Every increase in oil inclusive of VAT is an increase in transportation cost which causes a domino effect on all basic goods.
JANE UY
In favor!
DENNIS GARGANERA
By all means yes! This will temporarily ease the burden of Juan dela Cruz.
JESS DIMAFILES
Yes. It will greatly alleviate the sufferings of most Filipinos who live below poverty line. When the price of petroleum products goes down, we expect the price of basic commodities to follow. Hungry Filipinos can't appreciate new roads and bridges that EVAT may bring.
CIRILO CALABIO
Whether it will be expected or not, it doesn't make sense at all. It is the call of the big cartel to decide what would be price of this basic commodity nowadays.
ERIC SORIANO
Lifting the EVAT will have a bigger negative effect on our economy. Peso depreciation, bigger government debt, downtrend and economic and fiscal gains.
JAZZIE YOUNG
Yes. All petroleum products should be exempted from EVAT to ease the burden on the common folks. All business taxes are eventually passed on the ultimate consumers, about 80% of whom belong to the C, D and E group.
ELMER PAHELGA
Definitely it's a big YES. The impact of the EVAT on us is tremendous so any measure that will ease the burden will be a welcome relief. Let's get it on!