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Fate of toll hike may be known Friday — SC


Whether or not the scheduled increase in toll rates will push through next week might be decided upon by the Supreme Court on Friday, according to court administrator and spokesman Jose Midas Marquez. The adjustment, opposed even by several allies of President Benigno Aquino III due to alleged lack of legal basis, is expected to affect not only motorists but consumers as well as it may result in increased prices of basic commodities. At a press briefing Thursday, Marquez said the justice to whom the petition was assigned will give his recommendation on Friday on whether the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) should push through with imposing the 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on tollways on August 16. He was referring to the petition filed by former Nueva Ecija Rep. Renato Diaz and former Trade assistant secretary Aurora Timbol, who questioned the legality of the increase. Earlier in the day, BIR Commissioner Kim Hacinto-Henares told a Senate hearing that the government will push through with the imposition of higher toll rates on Monday, unless the SC issues a restraining order. “As of now, unless there are changes, then there will be VAT on tolls on Monday," she said. TRO forthcoming? Marquez said after a recommendation has been made, Chief Justice Renato Corona will decide if a temporary restraining order (TRO) should be issued. “The court is waiting for the recommendation of the justice to whom the case was assigned. Hopefully, by tomorrow (Friday), the Chief Justice, on behalf of the court, can decide whether or not a [temporary restraining order] will be issued," he said. Marquez did not identify the magistrate handling the petition. He said the full court will also confirm Corona’s decision in an en banc session next Tuesday. The National Council for Commuter Protection is also expected to ask the court to block the impending imposition of taxes Thursday afternoon. Even Sen. Ralph Recto, a member of Aquino’s Liberal Party, said taxes on toll rates are unlawful because they are not covered by the Republic Act No. 9337 or the amended Expanded Value Added Tax law, which he authored. — KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV

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