Elderly press Arroyo to sign Expanded Senior Citizens bill

"President Gloria, maawa ka sa matatanda (President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, have pity on the elderly)," read one of their banners. A GMA Flash Report said about 1,000 senior citizens converged on Mendiola Bridge in Manila on Monday to appeal to President Arroyo to sign the Congress’ measure exempting them from the 12 percent value added tax. The elders attempted to reach the Malacañang Palace, but they were blocked by barbed wires. Still, the elders continued their rally. In an interview on GMA News' Unang Hirit, the Confederation of Older Persons of the Philippines said the money they could save would be used to buy more medicine and food for their families. They said their larger purchasing power will also help the economy. Salvacion Paciano, COPAP spokesperson said: "Sa halagang isang daan, nakatipid kami ng dose pesos. yun po ay hindi mawawala sa gobyerno, hindi yan mawawala sa kaban. Bakit? Dahil po yan ay hindi namin itinatago sa alkansya. Ang mga matatanda hindi na nagaalkansya. so yung dose pesos na yan ibinibili namin ng lugaw, o ibinibili namin ng vetsin, ng sardinas o ng papel at lapis ng mga apo namin."

Last week, Congress ratified the measure. On Saturday, deputy presidential spokesperson Ricardo Saludo said that Malacañang has yet to receive a copy of the measure for study. [See: Palace: Arroyo waiting for senior citizens act] Under the proposed law, senior citizens will enjoy an increased discount of 20 percent from eight per cent if they are exempted from the value added tax. The VAT exemption will also apply to the medicines and essential medical supplies, accessories and equipment; fees of attending physicians; medical, dental fees and diagnostic and laboratory fees; fares for buses, jeepneys, taxis, AUVs, shuttle services, public railways, domestic air transport and other vessels. - Carmela Lapeña, Sophia Dedace/RSJ, GMANews.TV