Presidential candidates on Saturday agreed that the P203 billion in estate tax that the Marcos family owes must be paid so that it can be used to assist farmers and the transportation sector affected by the rising fuel prices.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue earlier said that it formally asked the Marcos family to pay their tax liabilities upon the request of Ernest Ramel, chairperson of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno's Aksyon Demokratiko party.
Moreno, who is running against presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos in the May 9 elections, assured the public that he would claim the Marcos family's tax liabilities which he would use to help the agriculture sector.
"Yung isang pamilyang may utang na P203 billion na estate tax, sisiguraduhin natin sisingilin ko yun, kukunin ko yung P203 billion na yun, ibibigay ko sa magsasaka, ibibigay ko sa driver bilang ayuda ng taumbayang nangangailangan ng tulong ngayon," he said.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson asked why the BIR has yet to collect the Marcos family's tax liabilities.
"Yung pinasa naming mga tax packages, ang dami nun. Ang na-attain lamang ay P101 billion. E merong P203 billion na sisingilin lamang nandiyan na, bakit ayaw singilin ng BIR?" he said.
Vice President Leni Robredo also said that the P203 billion estate tax liability of the Marcoses would allow the government to give more financial assistance to those affected by rising oil prices.
"Ngayon pinag-aawayan, ayaw nating i-suspend yung excise tax kahit napakataas ng langis dahil wala tayong pera. Nasasayang tayo sa revenue, hindi papasok sa gobyerno. Ang ibibigay natin na ayuda ngayon na Pantawid Pasada ay P200 na napakakonti nun," she said.
"Ito P203 billion, kapag nasingil natin ito hindi na natin kailangan tipirin ang ating mga kababayan," she added.
Marcos declined to attend the Comelec presidential debate as he campaigned in Marikina City. His spokesperson said the candidate would rather continue with the face to face mode of campaigning for the May 9 polls.
ALSO READ:
Where is the Marcos Family's $10 Billion Fortune?
What is the Yamashita Treasure? Marcos Bid Revives Interest in Fabled Gold
What is Imeldific? Imelda Marcos in Her Own Words, How the World Sees Her