"Nobody wants taxes whether here in the Philippines or abroad, people do not really want taxes. But as they said, the only two things inevitable in this life are taxes and death," Mr. Drilon said in a television interview.

First off, I don't mind paying taxes, as long as they are based on a fair structure, and that my government (who needs it to function) will use it to better serve me. Now, obviously, there are people who dislike paying taxes so much that they end up not doing it at all, thus the tax amnesty bill.

You see, it plays out like this: if a mother tells a misbehaving child, look, I'll let this one pass and let that be a lesson to you, will that mean he'll never fool you again? Those tax forms may be so hard to work through that it's easier to just bribe my friendly neighborhood tax collector to get it over with. Change is tough, and I've had too many government officials and judges on my payroll (not to mention the lawyers). Ever heard of this one: If I didn't cheat on my taxes, I'd be out of business? Lets just wait for the next round of amnesties, shall we?

For the big time tax evaders, I say, if Martha Stewart and Al Capone can go to jail, make these people pay up and pay time. Meanwhile, let Manila reap the blessings of a Greenhills' tax-free tiangge shopping!