MANILA, Philippines — The Senate and the House of Representatives have only two days left to approve the sin tax bill, which President Duterte has certified as urgent. Their version is Senate Bill 2233. However, she said she was not sure if the senators’ version would fill the P60-70-billion annual funding gap for the program. Another House member, Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur, said the Senate should pass the tobacco tax bill before Congress adjourns its session on Tuesday. They noted that the controversial Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, which took effect in January last year, increased the tobacco tax while completely ignoring the alcohol sector.

Source: Philippine Star June 01, 2019 16:05 UTC