CEBU, Philippines - Seven Cebu representatives who voted for the passage of the House Bill 5727, or the Sin Tax Bill, which seeks to impose higher taxes on “sin products” like tobacco and alcohol, cited similar reasons in revenue gains and consumer health.
Cebu fifth district Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI, voted “Yes” to the bill, seeing it as a feasible way to increase government revenue.
“We need to increase our revenue for the proposed budget for our national projects,” Durano said.
The government expects to generate P33 billion in revenue after a year of this law’s implementation.
Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon voted “yes” to the bill primarily because the government needs money to fund projects like healthcare and education, especially as the country’s growing population needs more teachers.
“This is not to punish or penalize the smokers and alcohol drinkers. This is primarily because we need money. We should get that much (tax) from those that can afford,” Salimbangon said.
Before the measure was approved, there were amendments that changed the rates for alcohol and tobacco products, with some going down and others going up.
In the case of liquor for instance, the tax for beer went down, while the tax for expensive wines went up.
In the case of cigarettes, the proposed new tax rates fell from P22 per pack to P12 for brands with a retail price of P11.50 and below, and from P30 to P28 for those with a higher retail price.
Third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia, also voted “Yes” to the bill saying he believes in its dual purpose.
“I believe in the dual purpose of the bill. It’s revenue generating and for health measures as well. From my review of cigarettes in Asia, we have the cheapest cigarettes in this part of the world. Making cigarettes less affordable, I think, is a more effective way of discouraging new smokers, which comprises mostly of the young. We really need to discourage them from smoking,” he said.
The Department of Health is also pushing for the passage of the bill to better protect the public from the dangers of cigarettes and alcoholic drinks.
Representative Gabriel Luis Quisumbing of the sixth district, also voted “Yes” saying tax revenue will go back to healthcare projects.
“Under this bill, the tax revenue will go back to our healthcare projects. We fully sympathize with those who will be greatly affected with the bill but the revenue that we will get from this will not only be of great benefit to a few places but it would be beneficial to the entire country,” he said.
Representative Pablo Garcia of the second district also voted for bill which, he said, is equivalent to a health bill.
“This bill will minimize smoking and drinking,” Pablo said.
DOH cited that almost 20 percent of the 93 million Filipinos start to smoke at the young age of 10 years old. With this bill, smoking among youngsters will be minimized because they can no longer afford it, DPH claims.
Representative Tomas Osmeña of the Cebu City south district was not able to vote saying he had to sign some legal court documents, but he would have voted “Yes”.
“I would have voted ‘Yes’ for the bill because of the benefits that our country will get from it. I know it’s going to win,” said Osmeña, who flew to the United States yesterday for a medical check-up and to watch the boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley this Sunday.
Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Arturo Radaza also voted for the passage of the bill.
The FREEMAN tried to contact Cebu first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas and Cebu City north district Rep. Rachel Marguerite “Cutie” Del Mar but calls to them went unanswered.
The bill’s final approval came after the bill passed second reading. The passage of HB 5727 was expedited after President Benigno Aquino III last month certified the bill as urgent.
The bill was passed despite opposition from congressmen from northern Luzon, which produces most of the country’s tobacco. —/BRP (FREEMAN)