Group hopes Senate will pass sin tax reform bill before Congress adjourns

The Sin Tax Coalition is optimistic that the Senate would approve the measure seeking to increase the current excise tax of tobacco products, or the Sin Tax Reform Bill, before the 17th Congress adjourns.

"Malaki yung kumpiyansa ng Sin Tax Coalition na papasa ang batas na ito kasi hindi sa lahat ng panahon makikita natin yung madaming suporta hindi lang sa executive," Arjay Mercado, a member of the organization, told Super Radyo dzBB interview on Sunday.

"Maliban doon yung isang positibo dito ay merong public letter na ni-release si Cong. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, ang ating Speaker, committing that whatever version yung ipasa ng Senate ay if-follow na lang ng House of Representatives," he added.

Under Senate Bill 2233, an excise tax of P45 per pack will be imposed on cigarettes starting January 1, 2020, which will increase further to P50, P55, and P60 per pack in the next three years until 2023.

It will then be raised by 5 percent every year thereafter starting 2024.

The Senate is set to deliberate the measure on the plenary on Monday before it can approve it on second and third reading subsequently, as it is certified urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The House of Representatives has approved its counterpart bill in December 2018, but on a lower rate of P40 per pack starting 2020.

These measures primarily aim to reduce consumption of the two "sin" products while generating revenue for the government to fund the universal health care program of the government.

"Kung hindi po ito maaaprubahan sayang naman po ang pondong pwede sanang ilaan sa Universal Health Care Law at madagdagan na naman ang bilang ng mga maninigarilyo sa mga susunod na taon," Mercado said.

Even though they are optimistic the Senate would pass the measure in the coming days, Mercado said they would remain vigilant as there are only two sessions left before the current Congress adjourns.

"Magbabantay pa rin ang Sin Tax Coalition kasi ang kalaban natin dito yung oras," he said.

"We are hoping na tomorrow, yung ating leadership ay prioritize ito at talagang makita natin na pumasa na ito kahit sa nalalabing araw," he added. —Erwin Colcol/LBG, GMA News