Malacañang lauds Senate's passage of sin tax bill

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Wednesday lauded the Senate's passage of the sin tax measure that reforms excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco products aimed at bringing in an additional P40 billion revenue for the government next year.

"The approval of the measure in the Upper Chamber is a vital step forward in improving and expanding public health safety nets for all Filipinos," said Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda in a statement.

Lacierda said the additional revenues that the government will be generating from the sin tax "complements the Aquino administration’s relentless pursuit of Universal Health Care which underscores the belief that healthcare should be a right and not a privilege in our country."

Malacañang also commended its ally, Sen. Franklin Drilon for his "unshakable" commitment that "steered this important piece of legislation through this long, drawn out process, and all the senators who voted for the measure."

"We also thank the countless advocates in government and civil society for staying the course and keeping faith in this crusade," said Lacierda.

"Recognizing and advancing the protection of public health is a commitment present in the Aquino administration’s Social Contract with the Filipino people. This goes beyond government, however, and begets the responsibility of all citizens to contribute to this cause," he added.

Voting 15-2, the Senate approved on Tuesday night Senate Bill no. 3299 or the Senate Sin Tax Reform Bill, which aims to collect additional P40-billion revenues in the first year of implementation.

Sen. Ralph Recto, who withdrew his highly-contested version of the sin tax measure, voted for the passage of the bill. The other senators who voted for the measure were Drilon, Vicente Sotto, Juan Ponce Enrile, Pia Cayetano, Manuel Villar, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Ramon Revilla Jr., Aquilino Pimentel III, Teofisto Guingona III, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapit, Gregorio Honasan and Jinggoy Estrada.

The two senators who voted against the measure were Francis Escudero and Joker Arroyo.

The measure will now go to the bicameral conference committee to reconcile it with the version of the House of Representatives, which was approved earlier this year.