Sin tax bill has votes to pass in the House, says sponsor

MANILA, Philippines – Sponsors of the bill seeking to raise taxes on so-called sin products — tobacco and alcohol — are confident the measure has the support it needs to be passed in the House of Representatives this week.

“We will win I’m sure. We already have the numbers,” said Davao City, 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungab, the primary sponsor of House Bill 5727, along with Cavite Rep Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya.

The bill proposes to raise P33 billion a year in revenues by instituting 2 tiers of taxes for cigarettes and 3 for distilled spirits and fermented liquor. It was already watered down from a previous version, which would have raised P60 billion through a unitary tax for cigarettes and liquor and a 2 tiered tax on distilled spirits based on alcohol content.

The bill is currently on second reading in the House, typically one of the most challenging stages to pass in the legislative process.

Ungab said it is likely the bill will be voted on viva voce, or by voice, on Wednesday, June 6.

If it progresses to a per person vote, Ungab said he is confident that of the 285 total House members, “maybe we can get more or less 200 votes.”

Aquino’s support

Even opponents of the bill think it will inevitably pass the House because of President Aquino’s support.

“I think their intention is to pass it so that the administration will have an accomplishment by SONA (the State of the Nation Address on July 23),” said Zambales Rep Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay, who has been very vocal in opposing the bill.

“At the end of the day, I would rather a law be passed that is thoroughly discussed,” she said, “(But) I’m sure they’ll be seeking a vote before we finish Congress this week.”

For his part, Ungab said: “I have a feeling this will be passed because of the certification by the President that this is urgent. Aside from that everybody knows that this is an administration bill so most of the members of the majority will support it.”

If passed by the House, the bill will be transmitted to the Senate. – Rappler.com