MANILA - One of the co-authors of the government's tax reform bill in the House of Representatives on Monday withdrew his support for the measure, as opposition mounted.

Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate wrote to Majority Leader Rodolfo Farinas saying that under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act, the poor will bear the burden of higher prices of basic goods.

Under the proposal, income tax rates will be slashed in exchange for higher duties on fuel, sweetened beverages and car purchases.

Congressmen have until Monday to propose amendments to the measure.

Zarate's colleague in the House Makabayan bloc, ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, wrote to the House secretary general to register his opposition to the bill's approval by the ways and means committee.

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco wrote to the same committee last week seeking the deletion of provisions on excise taxes for diesel, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas

"Stop fuel smuggling. Then, you don't need excise tax on diesel, LPG and kerosene," Tiangco told ABS-CBN News.

AGAP party-list Rep. Rico Geron, chair of the committee on cooperatives development, objected to the removal of VAT exemptions for cooperatives.

Such a move could force credit cooperatives to raise interest rates, Geron said.

While removing the exemption could help plug leakages, Geron said the Constitution seeks to promote the growth and viability of cooperatives as instruments for social justice and economic development.

Ways and means committee senior vice chairman Joey Salceda proposed a compromise, wherein the exemption is retained, but the Bureau of Internal Revenue will get access to cooperatives' financial records.