Recto, Marcos urged to inhibit from sin tax bicam

MANILA, Philippines - Health Secretary Enrique Ona yesterday expressed his support for the manifesto of various medical associations urging Senators Ralph Recto and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to inhibit themselves from the bicameral conference committee meetings on the sin tax reform bill.

“It is true that there is pressure to include the two senators in bicameral conference committee,” Ona said during the manifesto signing at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila.

“We need to show our total support to prevent those two from being included in the bicam,” he said.

Around 40 medical organizations representing more than 100,000 doctors and millions of nurses and other health practitioners signed the manifesto.

“We strongly urge the two senators to restrain themselves from participating in the bicameral proceedings for the passage of a genuine sin tax bill,” said the manifesto.

The groups cited various articles alleging ties between the senators and tobacco companies.

“We strongly believe that by championing the commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry in the passage of the sin tax, the two senators have compromised the welfare of Filipino people,” said the manifesto.

“We appeal to them to protect the credibility of the bicam,” said UP College of Medicine professor Antonio Dans. “There are possible conflicts of interest [on the part of Recto and Marcos] that may put some doubt on the proceedings.”

Among those who signed the manifesto were Philippine Medical Association vice president Leo Olarte and DOH consultant on non-communicable diseases Anthony Leachon.

Ona did not sign the manifesto in deference to his position as a Cabinet secretary.

Aside from urging the inhibition of the two senators, Leachon also urged lawmakers against inserting “killer provisions” during the bicameral proceedings.

“This is the time and moment that we, the doctors, should step up and champion the rights of the Filipino people,” he said.

Dans said millions of people will quit smoking and thousands will be saved once Sen. Franklin Drilon’s version of the bill is passed.

“We have this rare opportunity to save thousands of lives,” he said. “Raise tax rates on tobacco. We have to remember that it’’s primarily a health measure and not a revenue measure.”

Ona said the Senate is in the process of nominating members who will represent the body in the bicameral conference committee meetings that are expected to start next week.

“It will be passed,” the health secretary said, referring to the sin tax reform bill. “The problem is how much [will the taxes be].”

“So many things can happen in the bicam,” he said. “It is important to make sure that we get the right people, senators and congressmen.”

Ona said he also supports calls for Congress to open the bicameral meetings to the public.

Recto surprised

Recto was surprised at the calls for his inhibition, which he said were premature and uncalled for.

“I’m not applying to be a member of the bicam. I think they like the amendments that we introduced on health. So why should they be afraid?” he said..

– With Marvin Sy, Mayen Jaymalin