Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian said yesterday he is confident that Congress can still pass the measure that would raise the excise tax on tobacco products within its nine remaining session days.
Congress resumed sessions yesterday following a three-month election break and will adjourn on June 7.
“The nine session days left for Congress is the best opportunity to pass this bill,” Gatchalian said at a Senate press conference organized by doctors who sought to raise the tobacco excise tax.
“All we need to do is to convince the majority of the senators to support the passage of the measure,” Gatchalian said.
The House of Representatives has approved its own version of the measure. The House version pegs the tobacco tax rate at P37.50 per pack.
In the Senate, various bills proposed increasing the tax rate from P60 to P90 per pack.
At least three senators – Gatchalian, Senators Manny Pacquiao, and Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito – have filed separate measures increasing the tobacco excise tax.
However, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, headed by Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, has yet to release the committee report on the bill.
Gatchalian said he hopes that the measure could be sponsored by the panel this week, so it can be passed immediately for third and final reading.
He said Congress, then, can ratify the measure before the adjournment. (Hannah Torregoza)
