Finance Minister Rafael Calder?n announced yesterday that
the government is standing firm on its decision to collect the 5% tax on exports
and the 12% ITBIS tax on ?real? income of all businesses. Calder?n was referring
to news that was carried in yesterday?s press, whereby Johnny Bernal, the head
of the Asonahores hotel association, urged members not to pay the new tax until
the Supreme Court had rendered a judgement on its constitutionality. Calder?n,
in statements to Hoy, said that he also rejected the opinion of the Intelligence
Unit of the British magazine The Economist, on the lack of confidence in the
government of President Mej?a. Calder?n, often the object of political satire,
continued his statements by saying, ?The government is going to collect [the
taxes] because it has a responsibility to collect. This is a responsibility of
the government, no matter who it hurts or who opposes the tax. The government
must fulfill its responsibilities.?