A proposed measure by Senator Bam Aquino to lower the Value-Added Tax (VAT) gained mainstream attention after it was featured in a segment of ABS-CBN’s noontime program ‘It’s Showtime’.
During the show’s ‘Laro Laro Pick’ segment, host Vice Ganda brought up Aquino’s Senate Bill No. 2047, which proposes reducing VAT on goods and services from 12 percent to 10 percent, as part of a quiz question for a contestant competing for a ₱100,000 prize.
“Para makatulong sa middle class sa gitna ng tumitinding crisis, nag-file ng Senate Resolution (Bill) si Senator Bam Aquino na magpapababa ng VAT mula twelve percent to ten percent. Naririnig mo ba yung salitang, yung term na VAT? Binabayaran natin ‘yan araw-araw. Maya’t maya araw-araw ‘di ba?” Vice Ganda said.
“Iyon, ‘di ba, iyong buwis, yung VAT, ‘di ba? Yung T doon ano tax. ‘Di ba? V-A-T. Yung T, tax. Yung VAT na sinasabi natin, ang tanong ko simple lang. Ano yung V sa VAT?” she added.
The contestant failed to answer correctly, as VAT stands for “Value-Added Tax.”
Vice Ganda later praised the proposal, noting its potential impact on everyday expenses.
“Si Senator Bam Aquino, maganda tong naisip niya. Iyong nag-file siya ng Senate Bill 2047 that seeks to reduce VAT on goods and services, including petroleum products. ‘Di ba? Makakabawas-bawas. Maganda ‘yan,” she said.
In filing the measure, Aquino emphasized that lowering VAT could serve as a medium- to long-term solution to help shield consumers—especially the middle class—from the effects of rising prices driven by the ongoing global oil crisis.
The senator noted that reducing the tax burden would ease daily expenses, particularly for those who do not typically benefit from government subsidies.
Aquino has also been active in pushing for broader fuel-related tax reforms. He co-authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 12316, which grants the President emergency powers to suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products.
Earlier, on July 8, 2025, shortly after assuming office, Aquino filed Senate Bill No. 265 seeking the removal of excise taxes on diesel, kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), fuel oil, and unleaded gasoline under the TRAIN Law.
The discussion of the bill on a widely watched noontime program highlights how economic policies are increasingly becoming part of mainstream public conversation, especially as Filipinos continue to grapple with rising costs of living.
