“We congratulate and thank our partners in the Senate, especially our sponsor Senator Frank Drilon, for passing the sin tax bill on third and final reading. We also thank all advocates who have tirelessly pursued this urgent reform, especially those who have done so the past 15 years.

“Not only does this passage fulfil the Aquino administration’s objective of reaching P40 billion in incremental revenues in the first year and collecting funds to help finance Universal Health Care. The version also provides moderate tax increases to protect the young and the poor from the ill effects of smoking and excessive drinking, achieving a unitary tax rate at P26 per pack with an excise tax burden of 60% on tobacco products in the fifth year, close to World Health Organization and World Bank recommended levels.
“While we would have wanted higher tobacco tax increases to maximize our health gains, we understand that we work within the rigors of the legislative process to achieve our reforms.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners in Congress in the bicameral conference committee to ensure that we optimize the health and revenue gains from this urgent reform agenda of President Aquino.