Two senators on Thursday, March 27 rejected the possibility of removing the tax privileges granted to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel IIII rejected this proposition which was first raised by presidential legal adviser and former senator Juan Ponce Enrile.
“As a legislator, I will never take back the tax exemptions already granted our OFWs. The money they earn is their own money. They can and should enjoy their money whatever way they want,” Pimentel stressed.
Pimentel reminded lawmakers that OFWs “are our modern day heroes.”
“They are heroes not because they remit money to Philippines, they are heroes because of the example of hard work, sacrifice and love for family as well as for country that they are showing to our society,” he pointed out.
Enrile earlier raised this possibility after supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte from abroad disclosed their plan to launch a “zero remittance week” to protest his detention and trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero had warned OFWs of the repercussions of such plans saying that it would not only affect the Philippine economy, but more so, will have a negative impact on their own families here in the country.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said he understands the OFWs’ stand but said he doesn’t favor the proposal coming from the former Senate leader.
“Our OFWs should be allowed to express their opinions and sentiments through legal means without fear of any retaliation from Congress. That is their right. They should be allowed to freely do it,” Gatchalian said in a statement.
“As the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in the Senate, I am not in favor of removing the tax privileges of our OFWs as this is a recognition of their hardwork and sacfrices for our country,” he added.
“Moreover, their remittances keep our economy alfoat especially through trying times such as the pandemic,” he further said.