DAVAO CITY—Forgot to buy your cigarette or did you suddenly run out of a stick to light? Think twice before mooching a stick from a friend because the answer will most likely be: “I ran out of a cigarette myself.” The days of smoker generosity are disappearing and the new Sin Tax Law [...]
Cigarette smokers continue to find it hard to buy their favorite brands here and in other parts of Southern Mindanao as of Thursday as most wholesalers and retailers claim there was still scarcity of supply.
A “sin tax” on cigarettes and alcohol—part of a government bid to boost finances—dampened the New Year spirit when it took effect throughout the country Tuesday in the midst of celebrations.
In signing Republic Act 10351, commonly known as the “sin tax” law, President Noy said its first year of implementation would “liberate more Filipinos from the vices of smoking and drinking.”
President Benigno Aquino III signed the Sin Tax reform bill into law Thursday, saying it was an early Christmas gift for Filipinos.
The members of the bicameral committee on the sin tax bill have come to an agreement on some of its non-contentious issues but the deliberations on the disagreeing provisions would have to wait until their second meeting.
The Senate resumed session Tuesday with deliberations on the sin tax bill expected to be finished and the measure voted on. Senator Franklin Drilon told reporters Monday that one of the critical points of the sin tax bill – the P40 billion collection target from additional taxes on tobacco and liquor products – was already agreed upon by senators in a caucus.
Senators on Monday agreed to tackle the Reproductive Health bill first before attending to other measures pending in the Senate.
Taking a cue from the visiting head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Congress may next impose a higher tax on text messages after it shall have approved the pending bills on increased tobacco and alcohol duties.
MANILA, Philippines – Debates on the sin tax bill resumed Tuesday with Senator Ralph Recto questioning t Senator Franklin Drilon on the implications of increased taxes on tobacco and liquor products. Recto, the former chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the initial sponsor of the sin tax bill, raised the issue that many [...]
Civil society and health advocates on Friday expressed support for Senator Franklin Drilon’s version of the sin tax bill.
Senators finally started plenary debates on Tuesday on a substitute bill that seeks to generate between P40 billion and P45 billion from alcohol and tobacco.
A substitute bill, which seeks to generate between P40 billion to P45 billion from alcohol and tobacco, was presented on the floor on Tuesday by Senator Franklin Drilon, acting chairman of the Senate committee on ways and means.
