Vice Ganda supports Bam Aquino’s senate bill to lower VAT

Senator Bam Aquino's proposed measure to lower the value-added tax (VAT) was discussed on an episode of the popular noontime show "It's Showtime," led by comedy superstar Vice Ganda.

During the "Laro Laro Pick" segment, Vice asked a contestant about Aquino's Senate Bill No. 2047, which proposes to lower VAT on goods and services from 12 percent to 10 percent, for a chance to win P100,000.

“Para makatulong sa middle class sa gitna ng tumitinding crisis, nag-file ng Senate Resolution (Bill) si Senator Bam Aquino na magpapababa ng VAT mula twelve percent to ten percent. Naririnig mo ba ‘yung salitang, ‘yung term na VAT? Binabayaran natin 'yan araw-araw. Maya't maya, araw-araw,” Vice told the contestant.

“Iyon, 'di ba, iyong buwis, ‘yung VAT, 'di ba? ‘Yung T doon [ay] tax. 'Di ba? V-A-T. ‘Yung T, tax. Ang tanong ko, simple lang. Ano ‘yung V sa VAT?" she asked.

The contestant, however, failed to answer Vice correctly.

Vice then lauded the senator for filing the measure, saying it will help lower the prices of goods and services, including petroleum products.

“Si Senator Bam Aquino, maganda ‘tong naisip niya. Iyong nag-file siya ng Senate Bill 2047 that seeks to reduce VAT on goods and services, including petroleum products. 'Di ba? Makakabawas-bawas. Maganda 'yan,” she said.

In his proposal, Sen. Aquino said the action might give medium- and long-term solutions to safeguard the middle class from the effects of the ongoing global oil crisis and possible future shocks.

Sen. Aquino added that decreasing VAT will help reduce the burden on consumers, particularly the middle class, which does not get government assistance, in the face of rising costs for petroleum products and other goods caused by the prolonged oil crisis.

He also co-authored and co-sponsored in the Senate Republic Act No. 12316, which gives the President emergency authority to suspend or lower excise duties on petroleum products.

Just a few days after taking office, on July 8, 2025, Sen. Aquino filed Senate Bill No. 265, which would have eliminated the TRAIN Law's excise duties on diesel, kerosene, fuel oil, LPG, and unleaded gasoline.