The greatest goodAt 75 years old, Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Benjamin Diokno wishes to see the poverty incidence in our country reduced during his lifetime. “We are planning to revise our revenue collection targets further upward to take into consideration the implementation of tax measures that we are prioritizing in the medium term,” Diokno announced. Also pending approval by the Senate, Diokno added, is the proposed value added tax (VAT) on digital services. “These corrective tax measures aim to achieve the twin goals of curbing excessive consumption of unhealthy foods such as chips and sugary drinks while increasing fiscal resources for public programs,” he stressed. Amid the severe criticisms on pushing such tax measures, Diokno comforts himself hewing close to English philosopher Jeremy Bentham’s “the greatest good for the greatest number” principle.
