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Government

DOH BACKS TAX HIKE ON ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

The Department of Health (DOH), seeking to address the ills of alcohol consumption in the Philippines, joined the Sin Tax Coalition in a forum dubbed as “Alcohol Tax: Itaas” in support of higher alcohol taxes in Quezon City.  The forum fielded public health advocates and members of the media to raise awareness on the risks […]

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Politics

JUNK FOOD TAX SHOULD FUND UHC — ANAKALUSUGAN

AnaKalusugan Party-list  Rep. Ray T. Reyes believes the revenue from additional taxes on junk food and sweetened beverages next year should be used to increase funding for the Universal Health Care (UHC) program. “It is regrettable that while our budget and spending for health in the past years have risen, the expenditure program for the UHC […]

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Politics

ESCUDERO BATS FOR IMPROVED TAX COLLECTION

Senator Chiz Escudero maintained that improving the collection efficiency of the government as well as fighting graft and corruption should be its top priority over plans to raise taxes so as not to put additional burdens in the lives of the already “overtaxed” Filipinos amid soaring prices of basic and prime commodities. Guesting on GMA-7’s […]

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Politics

ANAKALUSUGAN OK WITH JUNK FOOD TAX HIKE

“Great minds really think alike. This admin push is also a bill we filed last March 7, 2023 as House Bill No. 7485.” Such was the observation of Anakalusugan Partylist Representative Ray Reyes on the latest push by the Department of Finance to pursue the increase of tax levied on junk food and sweetened beverages […]

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Politics

BILL VS UNWANTED CALLS, TEXTS GETS HOUSE PANEL OK

The House Committee on Information and Communications Technology chaired by Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco approved with amendments the substitute bill on House bills and resolutions seeking to establish a “No Call, No Text Registration System.” Tiangco explained that the proposed legislation would protect mobile phone subscribers from unwanted calls and texts and “encourage the adoption by […]

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Politics

MAHARLIKA FUND NOT EXEMPTED FROM TAX – ESCUDERO

Senator Chiz Escudero said the current administration should uphold its “no tax exemption” policy as he questioned the perks to be accorded to the proposed Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC), which will manage the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF). Escudero expressed concern on the many privileges that the MIC will get supposedly to attract investors and augment […]

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Politics

HIKE SUGAR TAX FOR SWEET BEVERAGES – REYES

“It is time for the government to update its sugar-sweetened beverage tax regime to further curb diabetes risk among Filipinos. Although sugar consumption in general has tempered down since the implementation of sweetened beverage tax in 2018, cases of Type 2 diabetes continue to rise.” This ANAKALUSUGAN Party-list Representative Ray Florence Reyes aired as he […]

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Politics

DON’T TAX POLL WORKERS’ HONORARIA – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian vowed to pursue the enactment of his bill that will grant tax exemption on the honoraria, travel allowance, and other benefits of poll workers, including teachers, officials, and personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd). The election honoraria and allowances of poll workers, including public school teachers, have never been subjected to […]

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Politics

BIR URGED TO DEFER 20% TAX ON TEACHERS’ POLL DUTY

Senator Risa Hontiveros is urging the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) not to implement a higher withholding tax on the compensation of teachers doing poll duties in the coming national and local elections. Hontiveros disclosed that a number of teachers tapped for election duties have been blindsided by the […]

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Politics

GATCHALIAN HAILS TAX RELIEF FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Senator Win Gatchalian hailed the signing of a law that would grant tax relief to private schools, a move that the lawmaker said would help them stay afloat amid the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Republic Act No. 11635, which President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law on December 10, 2021, further amends Section 27 […]