
07/05/2025
๐๐ถ๐ด๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐น ๐ง๐ฎ๐
๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐๐ฟ๐: ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ฝ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐น๐ฒ๐ ๐จ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ป๐๐ถ-๐ฃ๐ผ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐๐น๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
Manila, Philippines โ May 7, 2025 โ Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio โD**gโ Gonzales Jr. is facing a wave of backlash after backing the controversial 12% value-added tax (VAT) on digital services โ a move that critics say unfairly targets ordinary Filipinos while protecting the interests of the political elite.
Gonzales, along with House Speaker Martin Romualdez and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has come under intense scrutiny following the passage of the new digital tax law that slaps additional charges on streaming platforms like Netflix and Spotify, digital education tools, online gaming, and even freelance platforms โ all lifelines in the digital age.
The law, which Gonzales proudly supported, has drawn sharp criticism from citizens who feel betrayed by their leaders. For many, itโs a clear sign of how out-of-touch some lawmakers have become.
โThis is not just a tax โ itโs a punishment,โ said Alyssa Mendez, a young professional working remotely. โWhile weโre trying to survive, Gonzales and his allies are busy squeezing more money from our pockets.โ
Analysts point out that Gonzales โ who has been in office for decades โ has long benefited from traditional political power structures, yet continues to pass legislation that disproportionately burdens the poor and middle class. Despite representing Pampanga, one of the provinces hardest hit by rising living costs, Gonzales has shown little concern for the digital access needs of students, workers, and small business owners in his own district.
โHe should be championing digital empowerment, not digital oppression,โ said Dr. Leo Ramiro, a public policy expert. โThis tax widens the digital divide and undermines opportunities for Filipinos who rely on online platforms to learn, earn, and connect.โ
Netizens have begun circulating hashtags like and **gGonzalesResign, calling for accountability. Protesters are also planning to stage rallies in San Fernando and other parts of Pampanga to condemn Gonzalesโ vote.
Meanwhile, online petitions calling for the repeal of the tax have gained thousands of signatures within days, signaling growing resistance to what many see as an unjust and regressive policy.
As outrage spreads, Senior Deputy Speaker Gonzales has remained silent โ refusing to explain why he supported a measure so widely condemned by his constituents. But for many, the message is loud and clear: leaders like D**g Gonzales are no longer listening to the people they were elected to serve.