Manila, April 16 -- A bill seeking to reduce the value-added tax (VAT) from 12 percent to 10 percent has been filed in the Senate on Thursday to help consumers, particularly the middle class, from rising fuel and commodity prices amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Senate Bill No. 2047, introduced by Sen. Bam Aquino, proposes lowering VAT on goods and services, including petroleum products, by amending key provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code.

Aquino said the measure aims to ease the burden on households facing sustained increases in the cost of living, noting that middle-income earners are among those most affected as they do not receive direct government subsidies.

"Batay sa pahayag ng Department of Energy, posibleng u...