Health advocates urge Senate to reject 'sin tax sabotage bill'

Health advocates, through the Sin Tax Coalition and HealthJustice Philippines, are urging the Senate to reject House Bill 11360, which seeks to gradually reduce excise taxes on cigarettes starting in 2026, labeling it the 'Sin Tax Sabotage Bill'.

The groups are questioning Senator Sherwin Gatchalian's decision to hold hearings on the bill during the Senate recess and have challenged him to clarify his stance on supporting public health over the tobacco industry.

Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, a board member of HealthJustice and former Health Secretary, urged Gatchalian to block the bill and resist tobacco industry manipulation, emphasizing the need to fight for the nation's and youth's health.

While proponents argue the bill will combat revenue losses from illicit trade, health advocates estimate it could result in P176.5 billion in lost government revenue over the next decade.

Galvez Tan stated that lowering tobacco tax rates is a misaligned solution to curb illicit trade and tax revenue shortfalls.

They fear the bill will lead to an upsurge in tobacco consumption and increase the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as cancer, which accounted for approximately 70 percent of total deaths in the Philippines in 2019, according to WHO data.