Senate to tackle sin tax bill, fix revenue aspect to general ...

Sen. Ralph Recto insists his sin tax proposal is the "most practical," but it is actually very similar to the taxes recommended by the tobacco industry.
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Recto resigned from the chairmanship of the committee that produced the controversial bill after various sectors and even a Senate colleague accused him of caving in to the tobacco industry.
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With the senator from Batangas out of the picture the committee ? now headed by Sen. Franklin Drilon ? intends to tackle the proposed measure starting Wednesday with a view to modifying and bringing it closer to what the executive branch wanted all along in terms of additional revenues from a new excise tax structure on tobacco and alcohol products.
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Critiques claimed Recto caved in to the wishes of cigarette companies as the taxes he proposed were close to the industry proposal.
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Batangas, whose governor is actress-turned-politician and Recto?s wife Vilma Santos, is host of a cigarette factory.

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?Hindi makuha ng mga doktor at tsaka ng mga taga-gobyerno why yung pinakamababa and very close to the tobacco industry?s proposals (ang nangyari),? Department of Health consultant Dr. Anthony Leachon said in an interview Wednesday with GMA News? ?News to Go.?
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Stinging from criticisms, Recto claimed his version was the most practical for all stakeholders, but would rather withdraw his recommendations in tandem with his resignation.
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His version of the measure would raise P15 billion to P20 billion a year in additional revenues for government.

His numbers, however, fell short of the P60 billion in additional revenues the Aquino administration expected from the higher taxes on sin products.

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On Tuesday, Drilon took on the ways and means committee chairmanship in acting capacity after a two-hour caucus.
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Recto did not attend the caucus. ?I apologize for choosing not to be present in the caucus today out of delicadeza,? he said in a letter addressed to Senate Majority Leader Tito Sotto.
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Instead, Recto recommended that the committee use the measures proposed by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago or the lower house?s version, which was authored by incoming Transportation Secretary and Cavite Rep. Jun Abaya.
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?I think public interest would dictate that we maintain the committee report and we?ll debate on it and at the appropriate time we introduce the amendments which the Chamber believes should be done,? Drilon, however, said.
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In the case of Recto?s resignation, the Palace washed its hands off in public in spite of making scathing remarks that it did not like his version of the sin tax bill.
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?The decision to resign by Sen. Recto is his own prerogative,? presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing on Tuesday. ?We didn?t have any hand there.?
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In a radio interview, Recto said his respect for Aquino was a reason for his willingness to resign.
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?I might have some disagreements with some of the Cabinet members, but I have full respect for the President,? Recto said over dzBB. ?And it is because of that respect for him that I am willing to step aside.? ? VS/Graphics produced by Candice Montenegro and Analyn Perez, GMA News

Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/278621/economy/finance/senate-to-tackle-sin-tax-bill-fix-revenue-aspect-to-general-expectations

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