Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said the House would act swiftly on President Bongbong Marcos‘ appeal during his fifth State of the Nation Address to reduce income taxes and reform the way electricity charges are billed to consumers.
Marcos asked Congress to expand the income tax exemption to workers earning up to ₱350,000 a year. He also sought lower income-tax rates for workers above the proposed threshold. Small businesses could be exempted from the minimum corporate income tax. His agenda includes amnesty for unpaid income, estate, donor’s and value-added taxes, including penalties.
Dy said the House would review the proposals while moving them through the legislative process. “The SONA provides for the direction of the administration, and the House’s duty is to ensure that these policy priorities are supported with comprehensive study and discussion,” he said.
The Speaker also backed Marcos’ push to lower electricity costs through the proposed Sariling Kuryente Act. The measure would make rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems more accessible and affordable.
Marcos also called for amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act. The changes would bar system loss charges and the corresponding VAT from being passed to consumers.
“The President has made it clear that bringing down electricity costs is a national priority, and the House stands ready to do its part. We will give due priority to the proposed Sariling Kuryente Act and the amendments to the EPIRA to ensure that consumers are no longer made to shoulder charges that should not be passed on to them,” Dy said.
The House ways and means chair estimated the worker tax-relief package would cut revenue by ₱50 billion. Higher taxes on vape products, tobacco, sugar-sweetened beverages, and single-use plastics could cover the loss and preserve funding for hospitals, health centers, and government services.
