Group criticizes Recto on sin tax measure

MANILA, Philippines - The non-government Action for Economic Reforms (AER) criticized Senator Ralph Recto’s interpolation on the sin tax measure on Tuesday.

During sin tax debates at the Senate, only Recto interpolated against Senator Franklin Drilon, the acting chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee after Recto earlier resigned as committee chief amid allegations that the sin tax report he endorsed favored tobacco companies.

AER alleged that Recto is trying to delay the passage of the sin tax bill through his lengthy interpolation.

Instead, the group said, Recto seemed more concerned with the supposed decrease of profits of tobacco companies as a result of the sin tax measure.

Filomeno Sta. Ana, AER coordinator said Recto’s more than five-hour interpellation showed his biases in favor of tobacco firms.

“Sen. Recto was more concerned about the sales and profits of the tobacco industry rather than the harmful effects of smoking, resulting in greater costs to society,” Sta. Ana said.

Sta. Ana also said that Recto’s interpellation was bordering on filibustering and urged the Senate leadership to call Recto to order.

Dr. Maricar Limpin, executive director of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance in a statement also criticized Recto for using the data provided by tobacco industry players.

“It’s unfair and disingenuous to use data only from the industry, which has vested interests,” Limpin said.

Limpin urged the Senate to pass the sin tax bill immediately, saying that the measure is necessary to improve the health of the public.

“This bill has a health objective that aims to save lives, to regulate the habitual use of cigarettes and tobacco. Many lives, including those of tobacco farmers, industry workers and their families may be saved by this measure,” she said.

The Aquino administration has been pushing for a new sin tax measure that would yield at least P40 to P60 billion a year.

The House of Representatives already approved in June its version that would raise P31.35 billion in incremental revenues in the first year of implementation.

The Senate, for its part, is currently deliberating on its own version.