Seasoned broadcast journalist Arnold Clavio recently shared his take on the controversial Maharlika Wealth Fund (MWF).
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, December 7, the Kapuso news anchor criticized the bill alluding to the uncollected Marcos estate tax amounting to 203 billion pesos.
Clavio wrote “P203B na estate tax… P275B Maharlika Wealth Fund… hmmm P72B na lang ang kulang. Puwede na ba?”
Clavio also suggested that lawmakers donate 100 million pesos each from their fund, which would total 25 billion pesos, to help cover the deficit from the would-be collected estate tax.
“At kung hihingan natin ang bawat mambabatas ng tig-p100 MILYONG PISO bawat isa . Nasa sa 250 (member of House of Representatives) o sumatotal ay makakalikom ng p25 B … Sakto lang.
“Hindi pa magagalaw ang pension at insurance fund ng mga miyembro ng GSIS at SSS at siyang mainit na pinag-uusapan sa ngayon.
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In conclusion, Clavio reminded everyone about the country’s skyrocketing local and foreign debts, thus urging the BIR to expedite the collection of the Marcos estate tax.
“Hindi rin maipagkakaila na ang Pilipinas ay baon sa utang , international at domestic , para isugal pa ang natirirang pondo ng mga government , sa Maharlika funds. Walang personalan.
“Kaya dapat bilisan na ng Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) at nang magkaalaman na kung mayroon ngang pananagutan ang mga Marcoses kaugnay ng usapin ng estate tax.”
MWF has been a hot topic online and offline, following opposition from GSIS and SSS members. The bill’s proponents led by Presidential son Rep. Sandro Marcos and Presidential cousin Martin Romualdez initially proposed GSIS, SSS, and state-owned banking institutions as sources of the fund.
However, Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo announced on Wednesday, December 7, that the lower house proponents have agreed to amend the bill removing SSS and GSIS as sources of the proposed sovereign wealth fund.
JUST IN: House Bill No. 6398 will be amended to remove GSIS and SSS as funding sources for the Maharlika Wealth Fund, says Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo. | via @xianneangel
Story soon on https://t.co/aKKwOwgGRQ pic.twitter.com/1Gr5uJVBh6
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) December 7, 2022
