The World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were against the imposition of the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT) on basic commodities, and United Opposition (UNO) vice-presidential candidate Jejomar C. Binay could not agree more.

“I cannot understand how anyone can defend the EVAT when it has become the biggest burden on the poor,” said Binay.

“EVAT made basic goods like instant noodles and medicine very expensive to the poor. And that is what I find oppressive. Why did the national government pass its financial burden to the poor?” he said.

“EVAT is a tax on purchases. If you are rich, you are taxed 12 percent. If you are poor, you are still taxed 12 percent,” he said.

As a result, Binay said, workers in Metro Manila, whose minimum wage is P350 a day, have less money to spend.

“After deductions for withholding tax, Social Security and Pag-Ibig, another 12 per cent is deducted in EVAT from a worker every time he buys anything,” he said.

Binay also said that he “has no quarrel with the principle (of EVAT), but draws the line on burdening the poor.”