“The government can give way. It’s not the government’s job to get rich but to improve the lives of the people."
Slashing taxes on fuel and electricity are just some of the major campaign pledges made by presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domogoso earlier this month.
If elected president in the 2022 national elections, Domogoso said he is committed to cut by 50 percent the taxes that go with fuel and electricity for the benefit of the ordinary Filipinos.
While this would mean a huge loss in the government income, the Manila mayor believes that it will save Filipinos suffering from the impact of the continuous increase in the price of crude oil.
“So what if the government loses money when that money goes back to the people? The government can step back. It’s time that we put people first,” the Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer said.
Domogoso said people would have more money to spend on their basic needs and that the economy would also recover by doubling down on tax cuts.
He also noted the increase in the prices of gasoline, diesel, and kerosene is the reason why transport groups, drivers, and operators of PUVs keep demanding for a fare hike.
Cutting taxes on electricity would also stop manufacturers from shutting down and will let employees keep their jobs, he added.
"Tao muna. Gusto ko, trabaho muna kayo... Yan ang pangarap ko, more jobs for Filipinos," he said.
Domagoso also earlier urged local goverment units to invest in housing, education, and health as these are the minimum basic needs of the people.
Putting people first has always been the main desire of Domogoso.
Since elected as the chief executive of the City of Manila, Domagoso has already proved his commitment in prioritizing his constituents.
He was praised for his major projects focused on clean-up campaign, housing for the poor, and building affordable hospitals as well as public schools in the country's capital.
The Manila mayor also earlier said he decided to ran for the highest position in the county to offer what they have done in the city that are duplicable and scalable.
Domagoso's political career started in 1998 where he was elected as a city councilor of Manila. After serving three terms, he was elected vice mayor in 2007.
In 2016, he decided to run for the Senate but lost. He was then appointed by President Duterte as
the chairman of the North Luzon Railways Corporation.
In 2019, Domagoso he was elected as Manila mayor.