Taxes before ballots

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

A congressman has proposed that Filipino citizens of voting age should be required to present tax identification numbers or proof of having paid taxes before they can be allowed to register and vote.

This is not the first time such suggestion has come from Filipinos, even those who are not officials or members of Congress. Their thinking is that payment of taxes is an indication that the would-be voter is a law-abiding citizen who contributes to the economy of his country.

In the case of Congressman Jose Solis of Sorsogon, his justification for his proposal is that this requirement will not only increase the tax collection of the country, it will also do away with the filing of cases against those who evade their tax obligations, and benefit the Bureau of Internal Revenue who will spend less time and money running after those who fail to pay their taxes at the prescribed times.

The congressman cited the practice in other countries where citizens who do not pay taxes forfeit their right to elect their leaders. Of course we know that not all citizens, even if they earn income, are required to pay taxes. There is the matter of exemptions for those who have many dependents for which they are entitled to deductions and, in many cases, no longer have income left that would be taxable. In such cases, therefore, presentation of proof of having filed one's income tax returns, even if no amount was paid, should suffice.

We do not know yet how his fellow solons will act on the proposal of Congressman Solis. But, as far as voting and candidates are concerned, there appears to be some advantages in this scheme. It is no secret that many candidates make a practice of buying votes, or giving some favors or compensation to potential voters. This strategy would be difficult to use, if the voter being bought still has to present proof of tax payment. Will there be candidates who will go so far as to also pay for their taxes, even if the amounts are small?

This is something for the people to think about, but how can they assure that their elective officials, especially those in Congress, will even consider it?*