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Tag: sin tax

Ways and Means committee:pitfall for two Batangueño legislators

Published by Ellen on October 16, 2012

“National punching bag of the week”
In a period of one year, the Ways and Means committees of both legislative chambers claimed two Batangueños.

Last Monday, Sen. Ralph Recto resigned as chair of the Senate Ways and Means committee after he found himself a target of criticisms for his committee report and his own version of the Sin Tax bill which groups pushing for higher taxes say is Philip Morris-friendly.

PNoy to Mandanas: “Pasensyahan na lang tayo.”

December last year, Batangas Rep. (2nd district) Hermilando Mandanas, a member of the Liberal party just like Recto, was removed as chairman of the ways and means committee. He was replaced by another LP member, Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab.

The Ways and Means committees are most coveted and are given to senior legislators. The committees have jurisdiction on all matters relating to revenue which include taxes and fees, tariffs, loans and other
sources and forms of revenue.

I know of a legislator who had held that position for many years he became so rich that last election, money flowed like water in his province. He won, of course, together with his son who also ran for another elective post.

Continue readingWays and Means committee:pitfall for two Batangueño legislators

Making consumption of sin products expensive

Published by Ellen on May 1, 2012

If you have not yet signed the manifesto for HB 5727, it’s time you take a look at it.

There’s one in Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=260011474082380

HB 5727, authored by Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, calls for the restructuring of the excise tax on alcohol and tobacco products. The rationale is that, if prices for what we refer to as sin products were to be increased, it would become less affordable to many people, especially the poor. They would then be saved from the ill effects of alcohol and cigarettes. We would then become a healthier nation.

The manifesto explains the financial advantage to the government and to the Filipino of higher taxes for alcohol and cigarettes. It says, “ On the first year of implementation, the government is expected to raise additional revenues worth P60 billion, of which, P30 billion is from cigarettes, P11 from distilled spirits and P19 billion is from beer.”

Continue readingMaking consumption of sin products expensive