Senator Erwin Tulfo is pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1446, also known as the One-Month Tax Holiday Bill, which seeks to suspend the collection of income taxes from Filipino workers for one month.
In an interview with One PH on Thursday, October 9, Tulfo said he has already discussed the measure with his brother, Senator Raffy Tulfo, who expressed support for the proposal.
“I have discussed it with my brother, okay naman siya. And I believe na ‘yong mga senador siguro na pro poor, papayag d’yan,” he said.
Tulfo emphasized that the bill is aimed at giving relief to hardworking Filipinos and expects backing from lawmakers who advocate for labor welfare.
“Kasi para sa mga mambabatas na makamanggagawa d’yan, susuportahan ‘yan kasi para sa mga manggagawa din naman ‘yan,” he added.
To fund the temporary tax break, Tulfo proposed sourcing money from billions of pesos allegedly lost to corruption.
“Kung sasabihin ng iba d’yan na ‘saan natin kukunin, malulugi tayo?’ ang sagot ko lang naman d’yan, ‘yong mga nabulsa d’yan,” he said.
“Doon natin kunin sa mga nagbulsa ng bilyon-bilyon [piso]. Kakayanin ‘yan, kung gugustuhin. It’s just a political will at kung aaprubahan din ng mga kasamahan natin,” he continued.
Tulfo shared that he has consulted accountants and legislative lawyers about the proposal’s feasibility.
“Pero kung tutuusin, kakayanin, e. I have talked to my accountant, I have talked to my legislative lawyers, they all agreed na […] which I believe it can happen,” he concluded.
The senator expressed optimism that the bill, once passed, would give Filipino workers a much-needed breather from rising costs of living while sending a strong message about fiscal reform and accountability.