Vidal mixed, Gwen backs Sin Tax bill

CEBU’s Catholic church and local leaders were mixed in their sentiments on the proposed “sin tax” bill but agreed that the measure would result in more revenues for the government.

Ricardo Cardinal Vidal said he hopes the senators study the bill well before voting on it.

He said while he isn’t  for or  against the bill, he is aware of intense  lobbying for its approval to increase tax rates on alcohol and cigarettes.

The public should be careful because some lobbyists are influenced by money, he said.

“Sometimes, people campaign for something because there is money involved,” Vidal said.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said she’s willing to sign a manifesto of support for the bill as advocated by the Department of Health.

She said this would  help discipline adults to spending  money on essential needs like food.

“It is precisely this sector that couldn’t afford… certainly cigarettes and alcohol have nothing to do with the family’s basic necessities like food, clothes. It’s a question of priority and its time that our people are taught priorities in life,” she told reporters. Correspondents Carmel Loise Matus and Jessa Chrisna Marie J. Agua