Officials who violate anti-red tape law should be charged – Zubiri

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri pressed for the filing of charges against government officials who violate the anti-red tape law which is detrimental to the foreign business climate.

The senator sought the support of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Martin Romualdez to pursue cases against these officials who fail to implement the ease of doing business law.

During the Philconsa (Philippine Constitution Association) Day and Senate Night sponsored by the Manila Overseas Press Club on Tuesday, Zubiri raised the need to abolish the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) because it affected the performance of economic zones.

FIRB is the interagency government body authorized to grant incentives to registered business enterprises.

Foreign direct investments (FDIs), Zubiri said, is a key sector that the government must build up, “especially as we are, admittedly, one of the laggards” in Southeast Asia when it comes to FDIs.

He also mentioned the need to amend the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (Create) Act “to simplify investment and fiscal incentives regime.”

“We really took pains in passing the Ease of Doing Business [Act]. Now it’s not being given the proper focus,” the Senate chief said in a speech.

Zubiri urged Romualdez to “champion” the implementation of Ease of Doing Business law.

“I know you are more powerful than me, because you have a favorite first cousin,” he said in jest, referring to Marcos. “I am only an employee of the Senate.”

“Cases should be filed, we should put the fear of God in these bureaucrats who deliver red tape to our business sector,” Zubiri stressed. “I just need the support of the Speaker and the President to make sure these cases are filed against these unscrupulous government agencies that continue to have red tape.”

“All these other freeports have lost their luster, because unfortunately it was forced upon us to pass the Create [law]. We have seen that it is one of the reasons why our foreign direct

investments have slowed down,” the senator said. “They cannot also promise the incentives, because the incentives will go through another layer, which — this is crazy — is the FIRB. And that’s why the Speaker will agree with me, let’s just abolish the FIRB.” — Bernadette E. Tamayo

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