Malacañang on Wednesday denied that a so-called “bill vetoing-spree” was taking place under the Marcos administration.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles clarified that so far, only five measures were vetoed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“The President did not have a veto spree. Forty-one bills lapsed into law and only five were vetoed, which are not included in the 41. So it’s not a spree,” Angeles said.
Among the vetoed bills was the proposed law exempted from taxation the cash benefits granted to government employees, particularly the public school teachers who served as poll workers.
“We are not removing the benefits of government employees who will be rendering post-service. The veto of the President is a matter of good housekeeping. Are we not reforming our tax system,” Angeles argued.
She added that the President was only fine-tuning the country’s laws, especially those giving tax exemptions, for the government’s tax reforms.
“Marcos is only removing tax exemptions given to various groups,” Angeles said.
“With all of the benefits given, the system is muddled. We don’t know who should benefit from tax exemptions and if they deserve it,” Angeles noted.
Marcos also vetoed the proposed laws on the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone; the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel Charter, the Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. franchise; and The Philippine Transportation Safety Board Act. Vito Barcelo and Vince Lopez