Senate resumes sin tax deliberations

MANILA, Philippines – 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.

“We will take up the amendments that will generate P40 billion; and then, we will take up other amendments principally on some corrections necessary because of the language; and we will receive amendments on the distribution of the incremental revenue,” Drilon said.

“After that, we will vote on second and third readings. There is no more issue on the amount that will generate P40 billion; and that is voted upon on the plenary,” he said.

The bill had been certified as urgent by President Benigno Aquino III the previous week allowing it to be passed on second and third readings in one day.