Granddaddy of all ‘stupidities’

Another government stupidity—perhaps, the granddaddy of them all—may be in the making! Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, according to a news story (“Tax exemption for Pacman eyed,” 2/28/15) “would file a bill to grant [Manny] Pacquiao a special tax exemption for his May 2 superfight against [Floyd] Mayweather in Las Vegas.” His reason? Brace yourselves, folks! Pacquiao needs all the support and inspiration he can get as he trains for the biggest fight that took more than five years to set up. Wow, if that is not stupidity, I don’t know what is!

Helloooo, Senator!!!! What planet are you from? Come on down to earth and you will see that millions of working Filipinos have long been suffering from being overtaxed! They need tax breaks more than anyone, more so compared to one like Pacquiao who is already a multimillionaire! These hardworking people are far more deserving of “support and inspiration,” if only to keep them going from one payday to the next on a meager, heavily-taxed take-home pay. Thousands, if not millions, of our teachers have long been suffering from lack of government “support and inspiration.” Believe me, they are far more worthy of your attention, if only to hearten them in their role as builders of this nation’s future leaders.

Please, Senator! Don’t let these underpaid and overtaxed workers and teachers suffer more neglect, indignities and insults with such a stupid bill, which is clearly nothing more than a person’s manifestation of an elitist or “wang-wang” mentality that caters only to the rich, famous, and highly positioned personalities. Let’s be fair, compassionate, and S-E-N-S-I-B-L-E.

Let’s give tax exemptions where tax exemptions are really due.

—JUANITO T. FUERTE, [email protected]