Kalookan Bishop Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David urges the Philippine government to ensure equitable tax burden distribution and use of public funds for the common good, highlighting the impact of Middle East conflict on overseas Filipino workers and their families.
Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David emphasized the need for a fair and just tax system in the Philippines as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East disrupts the livelihoods of thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). In a social media post on March 11, 2026, Cardinal David highlighted that many OFWs work as caregivers, construction workers, domestic helpers, and seafarers, leaving home to support their families’ survival and children’s education. He warned that escalation of the conflict could abruptly end contracts and reduce remittances, which are vital to many Filipino families and the national economy, while also driving up fuel and food prices.
Reflecting on Catholic Social Teaching, Cardinal David reminded that economic systems must serve the common good and not just markets. He stressed that taxes are intended to pool resources for education, healthcare, infrastructure, and protection of the vulnerable. However, corruption and misuse of public funds weaken the moral foundation of taxation. The cardinal affirmed that the tax system must not disproportionately burden the poor and middle class. Rising costs and consumption taxes weigh heavily on struggling families, raising concerns about whether fiscal policies reflect compassion and justice.
Cardinal David called for greater contributions from those with more resources—such as large corporations and billionaires—especially during crises, emphasizing solidarity. He also underscored the role of a responsible government that ensures fairness, regulates markets, protects the vulnerable, and fosters entrepreneurship, invoking the principle of subsidiarity.
To achieve a just tax system, Cardinal David outlined key conditions: transparent government spending free from corruption; equitable tax burden distribution avoiding undue pressure on the poor and middle class; fair contributions from the economically powerful; and public funds used effectively for social services, food security, and sustainable development.
The recent Middle East conflict, which escalated after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has caused some OFWs to return home, including 63 repatriates from Oman and Qatar arriving recently. The conflict has also triggered significant fuel price hikes in the Philippines. Cardinal David’s statements serve as a call to the government to uphold justice and dignity in fiscal policies amidst these challenging circumstances.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/979668/cardinal-david-asks-is-ph-tax-system-fair-serve-human-dignity/story/
