‘President’ Binay to give benefits, scrap income tax for the poor

Vice President Jejomar Binay formally launches his presidential bid with his party, the United Nationalist Alliance on February 9. 

He makes four promises to a crowd of 30,000 supporters in Welfareville compound, Mandaluyong City.

Mara Cepeda reports. 

Should he win, Vice President Jejomar Binay makes 4 promises for his first year as president.

During the United Nationalist Alliance’s proclamation rally, Binay vows to scrap income tax for employees earning P30,000 and below.

JEJOMAR BINAY, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: To those who say this cannot be done as the government would incur significant losses my response is simple: billions are lost to smuggling. Billions are lost due to inefficient tax collection. Billions are wasted because of improper government spending. That must be addressed, instead of adding to the sufferings of the Filipino workers.

The former Makati mayor also says he will replicate what he did in Makati for the rest of the country. 

There will be free medicine for all poor Filipinos and books, school supplies, and uniforms to all students nationwide.

Binay says he will continue and improve on the Aquino administration’s  Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. 

JEJOMAR BINAY, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: In the 4Ps, the allies and relatives of those against us in politics were included at the expense of the real beneficiaries. Would you believe that 60- to 64-year-olds are not included in the 4Ps? So I will continue and expand the 4Ps for the poor.

Although it’s not his traditional bailiwick, Binay​ says his ​choice of Mandaluyong City to launch his campaign is consistent with his platform of pro-poor governance and inclusive growth.  

​Though ​recent survey numbers place him at second place, the​ 30,000 strong supporters here show Binay’s simple message of benefits and no taxes for the poor hits home.

Mara Cepeda, Rappler, Mandaluyong City.