Duterte hailed for certifying as urgent bill for higher sin taxes

MANILA, Philippines — “A vote for sin tax is a vote for our people’s health and well-being.”

Senator Pia Cayetano said this Tuesday, as she welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s action to certify as urgent a bill seeking to increase the excise tax on liquor, heated tobacco, and vapor products.

“This certification is much appreciated because it sends a message to all the members of the Senate that this is a priority measure,” Cayetano, sponsor of Senate Bill No. 1074, said in a statement.

Senate Bill No. 1074, which aims to increase excise taxes on alcohol and e-cigarettes, including heated tobacco products (HTPs) and vapes, is currently in the period of interpellation.

Cayetano, chair of the Senate ways and means committee, expressed hope that her fellow senators would likewise welcome the urgency of passing higher sin taxes to protect the right to health of Filipinos.

“I am pushing for a version that recommends higher tax rates than those approved by the House of Representatives for two reasons: first, it will provide proper funding for the delivery of health services to all Filipinos; and second, it will effectively reduce the consumption of sin products,” she said.

But Cayetano, nevertheless, said she remains committed to responding to her colleagues’ concerns regarding the bill.

“There is a need to increase sin taxes substantially for it to have any health impact. Otherwise, we will fall short at meeting our health objectives,” she pointed out.

“We cannot save lives by increasing the price of a sin product by a negligible amount. We can only make this an effective measure when the price increase is substantial enough that people would think twice on the volume of the products they will purchase and consume,” she added.

The Department of Finance estimated that the bill’s proposed rates would generate P47.9 billion for the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act in 2020 and a total of P356.9 billion for the program over the next five years.

Edited by KGA