LOOK: Anti-smoking group calls on senators to back tobacco tax hike

By: Gabriel Pabico Lalu - 5 years ago

MANILA, Philippines — A group has called on senators to sign the Senate committee on ways and means report proposing an increase in the tobacco tax rates, which would then be used to fund the country’s Universal Health Care (UHC) law.

According to the Sin Tax Coalition whose members staged a rally outside the Senate on Monday, they are waiting on other senators to sign the report, which needs 10 signatories for the bill to enter the period of interpellation.

“Limang araw na lang po kasi ang natitira po bago magsara ang Kongreso at Senado, (kung kaya’t) bakit po napaka-importante nitong araw na ito, at makakuha tayo ng minimum na sampung boto,” Council of Past Presidents of the Philippine College of Physicians Dr. Anthony Leachon said.

Leachon said that as of now, Senators Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, Panfilo Lacson, Risa Hontiveros, and Francis Pangilinan have signed the committee report.

Sin Tax Coalition members stage a rally outside the Senate on Monday to urge solons to pass the tobacco tax hike. PHOTO by CATHY MIRANDA / INQUIRER.net

Meanwhile, Senators Franklin Drilon, Joel Villanueva, Bam Aquino, Ralph Recto, and Cynthia Villar supposedly told Leachon that they will make a decision whether to sign or not once they finish reviewing the report.

READ: Senate panel draft seeks P45 to P60 tax on tobacco

Different sectors including the Sin Tax Coalition believe that raising the excise taxes on tobacco — part of the so-called sin tax — from P45 to P60 will ensure that the UHC is properly funded and implemented.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez recently said that P63 billion is still needed for the UHC’s full implementation in 2020. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)

PHOTO by CATHY MIRANDA / INQUIRER.net