House approves on second reading higher taxes on alcohol, tobacco products

7:57 pm | Wednesday, June 6th, 2012

A vendor sells cigarettes at a supermarket in Quezon City in this file photo. A proposed bill restructuring the excise tax on tobacco and alcohol products is seen to generate some P60 billion, according to President Benigno Aquino III, who is pushing for the passing of the sin tax reform bill. AFP/JAY DIRECTO

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives has approved on second reading the controversial bill that would raise taxes on tobacco and alcohol products.

House Bill 5727 was passed at the plenary with majority of lawmakers present voting in the affirmative. Voting for the passage of the bill on third and final reading is ongoing.

Primarily sponsored by Davao City Representative Isidro Ungab, the measure seeks to raise P33 billion in revenues annually, lower than the initial P60 billion target.

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Tags: alcohol , Business , House of Representatives , legislation , politics , sin taxes , taxes , tobacco

http://profile.yahoo.com/5LORVIOEDC77D5HTPFRELF5ZLY gerryville

I am a smoker and a drinker, no problemo with this bill to be passed as a law, i just hope the taxes will be used in its purpose, wag sa bulsa ng mga iilan, I think the tax will be used in military modernization, malaki na improvement ng AFP compare sa arroyo era, sana lang tuloy tuloy na modernization ng AFP para di na sanda tahang walang lakas, May ngipin na tayo pag may nag agrabyado satin, di na tayo masyado naka depende sa ibang bansa, maiiwasan na yung nangyari sa pag launch ng NOKOR, pag tinanong DND ano na balita, ang sagot, hinihintay pa natin ang counterpart natin sa Japan and U.S. and Japan naka abang na air defense, sa pinas inaabangan na yung bakal na malalaglag para kalakal.Mr. President saludo ako sa inyo pag na passed ito at na manage ng government natin yung fund, keep up the good work, ur no. 1 kritiko

sameoldgee
jtpa

I agree with the bill of increasing the tax but I want to know where the funds will be allocated. I read a report before that says that part of the funds will be used to support the industry and I disagree with that allocation. Smoking has a high social cost and supporting tobacco industry is unconstitutional because the government, in essence, is mandated to promote healthy lifestyle and smoking is not part of a definition of a healthy lifestyle based on Section 15 Article II of the constitution. Therefore, any funds allocated to support the tobacco, alcohol industry and the likes is deemed unconstitutional.
Elio Madama

Excuses to kill the middle class in Philippines.
Electric bill going up this month, health insurance 100% increase next month (from 100 pesos a month going to 200 pesos).
Now cigarettes and liquors.
If President wants young people to stop smoking and drinking, make new laws about the age.
No smoking and drinking below 21 or 25 five years old.
But…President need money for future travels overseas.
Look, 7 days travel, and spending 87 million pesos.
What is next now Mr. President.
We know already your goals………..finish with the middle class in Philippines.
Time to woke up people, before is too late.
Step down please Mr. President.

http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/CTUKEC27DLJA6FPAYIC2VTJKFI Peter

Price is a deterent in buying cigarettes. And dumbo do you know that government spends billions of pesos because smoking related health issues that not only affects the smokers but also the second hand smokers. It’s quite obvious you only think with your cigarette butt!

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_5UOZM4PWIDKO7G64HL3PPMXUTM Constantine

If I were to be followed, increase the pricing of Marlboro lights to P150 per pack and low end brands should be priced at least P100 per pack. That will automatically prohibit most of the young people to indulge in this vice.

And even those people earning minimum wage will think twice in continuing to smoke cigarettes
http://www.facebook.com/oustcorona ILL_HIT_YOUR_FACE

Magkano kayang tinaas?
missaya

SALAMAT SENATE & HOUSE SA DELAY… I WILL JUST PAY ADDITIONAL TRANSACTION FEES AND SATISFIED WITH DELAYED REMITTANCE… THANKS BUT NO THANKS ….

SALAMAT DIN SA INACTION SA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL…
GALING NYO TALAGA…

House approves on second reading higher taxes on alcohol, tobacco products

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