Improving the government’s delivery of services to Filipino families is the primary goal of reforming the country’s tax measures, Senator Pia S. Cayetano reiterated on Wednesday (August 21).
“We’re passing taxation measures not because it is being imposed upon us by any international body. We’re in a position where we are cleaning up our [own] house, not because we have to but because it’s the best thing to do,” Cayetano told media members at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay in Cafe Adriatico, hosted by journalist Marichu Villanueva.
The senator currently chairs the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, which is tasked to tackle the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) as part of government’s effort to achieve its targets under the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The CTRP includes proposals seeking to lower the corporate income tax (CIT) and rationalize tax incentives of businesses (Package 2); impose higher excise taxes on alcohol products and e-cigarettes (Package 2+); reform the property valuation system (Package 3); and rationalize capital income taxation (Package 4).
Cayetano said she plans to conduct a hearing every week to discuss the tax measures. The panel’s discussion on hiking excise taxes on alcohol is set to resume next week, followed by two to three more hearings on e-cigarettes and vape products.
“I want to be sure that all stakeholders have a chance to be heard on record,” Cayetano noted.
The senator said her primary duty as ways and means chair is to ensure that the government will generate enough revenues to fund its social services on health, education, and the environment.
Package 2+ in particular seeks to bridge the current funding gap of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Program.
“Our UHC program is moving forward. But I really want to see it further funded. That’s where my passion is coming from to make these [tax reforms] happen. We want to be able to help our people feel the effects [of UHC],” Cayetano said.
“At the end of the day, taxation is not just to raise funds. It’s also to protect the health of Filipinos,” she added.
Package 2: CITIRA bill
Meanwhile, the senator said she is also keen on proposals to lower the country’s corporate income taxes (CIT) and rationalize incentives given to investors.
“We have one of the highest tax rates in corporate Asia. That paints a not very inviting picture to investors. If we want to be competitive with our ASEAN neighbors, one thing that we can do is to reduce the corporate income tax rate,” Cayetano cited.
She said the government is also losing revenues due to the gaps in our policies on granting incentives to different businesses.
“We have so many agencies offering different kinds of [incentives] packages. Tayo lang pala ang may forever. In other countries, they put a timeline. And despite our incentives, we are still not the go-to place of investors in Southeast Asia,” Cayetano said, stressing the need to rationalize such grants.
Package 3: reforming the Property Valuation System
Another tax measure awaiting passage is Package 3 of the CTRP, which seeks to introduce reforms to develop “a just, equitable, and efficient real property valuation system.”
Cayetano stressed that the country’s outdated property valuation system is “impairing our ability to conduct business well.”
“Imagine, hindi natin nalalagay sa tamang value ang mga [land resources] natin. That’s something that I do hope we can address through a tax reform measure,” she said. #
“Our UHC program is moving forward. But I really want to see it further funded.” – Senate Ways and Means Chair Senator Pia S. Cayetano
Senator Pia S. Cayetano is fully supportive of the proposal to build elevated walkways and bike lanes along major roads in the country, stressing that this would help transform Philippine cities into sustainable communities.
During her interpellation of Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri’s privilege speech on Tuesday (August 20), Cayetano stressed the importance of creating alternative mobility options in urban areas to reduce traffic congestion, improve people’s health, and preserve the environment.
“This is a necessity that millions and millions of [Filipinos] will appreciate,” Cayetano said in response to Zubiri’s suggestion to construct elevated walkways along EDSA for the use of pedestrians and bikers.
“These are the things that we would like to bring to our people’s consciousness. Making our communities livable will also help protect Filipino families’ health and well being,” she added.
The senator has filed several measures in the 18th Congress towards this objective.
Senate Bill No.65 or the ‘Sustainable Cities and Communities Act’ directs local governments to ensure public access to social services, preferential use of renewable resources, efficient waste management systems, and reliable mass transport, among others.
Meanwhile, Senate Bill No.66 or the ‘Sustainable Transportation Act’ mandates the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to come up with a Sustainable Transport Action Plan that shall lay down the roadmap for national and local transportation systems throughout the country.
Apart from these, Cayetano filed the ‘National Bicycle Act of 2019,’ seeking to officially recognize bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation in the country.
These measures, the senator stressed, are in line with the country’s commitment to the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
“The budget for these programs is really something that I feel is an absolute need,” Cayetano said, while expressing her plan to file a ‘Build, Build, Build’ counterpart program for non-motorized vehicles.
A known biking enthusiast and triathlete, Cayetano has been encouraging local governments to put up additional protected bike lanes in their cities and municipalities, similar to Taguig City’s 5.58-kilometer bicycle lane along Laguna Lake Highway. #
During her interpellation on the speech of Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senator Pia Cayetano stressed the importance of creating alternative mobility options for people living and working in urban centers.
Transcript of interview with Senator Pia S. Cayetano on sin taxes on alcoholic drinks
Reporter: There was an issue raised about corruption in PhiHealth. Sen. Gatchalian said before we hike taxes anew, why not reform that first? What can you say about that observation?
PSC: That’s why we have multiple committees in the Senate. One committee, which is the Blue Ribbon Committee, looks into that and the reason I accepted the position as chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means is because it is this time in our life span that we have a President that is very anti-corruption.
So if there’s any chance that this corruption issue should be addressed, it would be under this administration. So I am hopeful that as I take on the task to look for funding for our social programs, there are committees within the Senate and then there are agencies in the government that are addressing corruption issues that are very important.
Reporter: You don’t think that’s going to be a roadblock, that some senators might be hesitant?
PSC: It has never worked that way. My task in my committee is to hear the presentation of DOF on taxation and to hear the issues surrounding taxation. That is one issue but it’s not the only issue that I have to confront.
Reporter: The DOF said that the expected revenue from the House version is P16.6 billion. Are you likely to push for something higher for the Senate?
PSC: Well for me, as long as I am convinced about the goals set by DOH, the funding that they want to raise, and the other issues raised by the industries and other concerned parties are addressed, I am more than happy to target the goal of DOF.Because I work with the administration. So that is my goal. As to whether I’ll be able to deliver that, that we have to see.
Reporter: Ma’am you also asked a checklist from PhilHealth and DOH because you said you were concerned about what’s covered by the no-balance billing etc. to justify to the people the tax raise.
PSC: Actually, I am aware. Because my team and I are very much. We always check with DOH and PhiHealth what are the changes in their coverage. So I want it to be available to other legislators, both houses of Congress, even media, even other influencers when it comes to health.
Like I was talking to Dr. Willie Ong [Note: He was a guest in the Senate gallery during Tuesday’s session], he has such a huge following. Dapat alam namin itong lahat. So that when people ask, covered ba yan o hindi, alam na natin. Hindi na issue dapat kasi yung kung what is covered or not. The issue would be, when will something else be covered next, right?
I mean, that should be information at our fingertips. So we should be able to know that vaccination is covered. You go to the healthcare center, that is covered by DOH. That’s preventive medicine.
I know for a fact, appendicitis is covered. Pero certain cancers, I remember na-lobby namin na ma-include ang breast cancer. But I don’t think they are able to cover the entire treatment.
So we need to know that so that we can understand how much work we have to do para ma-complete pa yun. Kasi even in the most developed countries, wala pa naman akong nakita na lahat ng klase ng sakit, andami mong nakita nagfa-fundraising ng patakbo, ng mga bake sale, kasi healthcare is very expensive.
Reporter: As far as your advocacies are concerned, what is your wish list, conditions, accommodations, which should be under the no-balance billing?
PSC: Ang advocacy ko kasi is healthcare in general. Syempre may mga personal pa ako dun. Pero, it’s my job to detach myself from my advocacy and decide what is the best. The best is preventive healthcare.
So a big budget should be going to promoting the use of vaccination. That was my privilege speech yesterday. You know, we can talk about these catastrophic diseases – the reason you call it catastrophic is because minsan lang yan tumama, maliit lang ang percentage ng tinatamaan nito, pero mabigat, yun ang masakit, mabigat. Ito yung mga iba’t ibang klase ng cancer, ganun.
But if you compare that to vaccination, na-eradicate na nga yung polio, tapos ngayon babalik dahil ang mga nanay hindi pinapabakunahan ang mga anak, yun para sa akin very important.
It’s not just an advocacy, it’s preventive healthcare that will prevent the comeback of an ailment that was already eradicated from the Philippines. So that’s what we should focus on. We should put more funding into ensuring that this information penetrates through every mother who has to make that decision.
That’s very important. Inasmuch as my heart breaks, because my father had liver cancer. So pwede kong sagot sayo advocacy ko, liver cancer, diba? Marami ho akong kilala na nagkaroon din ng breast cancer. Pwede ko rin ipaglaban na yan ang advocacy ko.
But the reality is you have to look at the facts and the figures kung ano yung pinaka-prevalent na mga health issues. And that’s available naman sa DOH. But kaming mga legislators and other public figures who dispense our knowledge to the public should have that information para nase-share din nila ng tama.
Reporter: Regarding reduction in alcohol consumption… [Inaudible question / Note: Is there proof that raising taxes on alcoholic drinks really discourages drinking?]
PSC: Ako personally, I want to see the studies that really show us at what point does an increase in price affect the consumption. Of course we want to see that. Studies naman yan, data naman yan. We want to see that.
But on the other hand, I think it’s proven, I mean, you don’t have to be a social welfare expert. You just need to hear the stories to know that alcohol abuse is correlated to a lot of domestic violence, with your partner, with children, unhealthy home environments. That’s why it was made very clear that it was a public health issue.
Alcoholism is not just a social issue. It’s not just a problem of your neighbor. It’s a public health issue. When you have communities where children walk around and kaliwa’t kanan inuman ang vibe, that’s not a healthy environment for children to grow up with, right?
So these are really serious public health issues that we need to address. And is it partly because alcohol is easily available? Could be. I’ll tell you why. One of the arguments that they always tell us is don’t make it expensive so that it’s very easily available and affordable to the poorest of the poor.
And that sadly is an argument always in poor countries. So para na lang sinabi mo porke mahirap sila, sige lahat ng bisyo sa kanila ibigay. Pero yung mga ibang benefit na nakukuha ng may kaya, hindi naman binibigay sa kanila. Hindi naman tama yun, diba?
What you make available to them are the products that are harmful to them? How sad is that?
Reporter: Sa plain packaging proposal [for alcohol products], are you bent on that? Could you give us an overview?
PSC: I just came up with that because I was so disgusted by the fact that there is packaging for alcoholic beverages that clearly to me is attractive to children. [Questioning manufacturers] Why did you do that to children, to teenagers?
The fact that a grown man, like my colleague, Senator Bong Go, would say, “Wala bang ibang kulay nito?” It means cute siya. It means cute yung packaging. So kung ganyan lang gagawin nila, and to think that they cannot even think that it is irresponsible to package it that way, I’m gonna make it white and black packaging.
I will file a bill. I would say nga, this is inspired by the plain packaging that is already practiced I think in Australia? Canada? Plain packaging of cigarettes… My idea to recommend plain packaging for alcoholic beverages is inspired by plain packaging for cigarettes, which I believe is practiced in Canada or Australia.
Reporter: So for the Philippines, alcohol and cigarettes po ang magiging plain packaging?
PSC: Binabato ko lang naman yun kasi naiinis ako na hindi ko nakikita yung responsible standards na dapat nanggagaling mismo sa mga manufacturers. For me, hindi ko naman kailangan sabihin sa inyo na ba’t masyadong pa-cute yang packaging niyo?
Kung matanda umiinom niyan kailangan ba pa-cute yung packaging? Of course not. So that’s why sinasabi ko na if they cannot even moderate or police themselves, then I’m going to propose something like that.
Kasi for me it’s common sense. Sasabihin naman nila, “We’re not targeting the youth, nakalagay dun [sa package], ‘for 18 years and above.’” Ba’t ganun yung packaging? #
Senator Pia Cayetano holds a media briefing following the second hearing of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, which took up the proposal to hike excise taxes on alcoholic beverages.
I just decided on my way here to deliver this privilege speech as I was reading the news. It caught my attention that the Department of Health (DOH) has issued a warning to all of us that we are in danger of losing our polio-free status.
So since the year 2000, we have already been declared as polio-free, which was something that really delighted me because I actually grew up with a classmate who has polio.
She was the only one in our school who could not join us for physical activities on a regular basis. So kung kami, mga nagtatakbuhan, mga naglalaro, she could not join us.
So I asked my staff to just quickly pull out some pictures. Let’s start with the image of what life should be like for a normal child. [Photos of kids playing flashed on screen]
They should be able to run, to tumble, to play games, to stand up, to fall, to climb trees – all of which I was able to do.
And yet, during the time of my father, and like I said, inabot ko pa, we still had polio during that time. I would imagine some of our colleagues would remember this. But so happily, my children grew up in a time that there was no more polio. And I’m so happy and I’m so proud of that.
Then some time, early this year, late last year, when we received the news that there was an outbreak of measles, what came to my mind was not just measles. What came to my mind was all the ailments that have been eradicated or are close to being eradicated because we have had a very successful vaccination program throughout the decades in our country.
So I was so scared that during the campaign, I actually would really emphasize this among health workers, the importance of convincing mothers of the importance of vaccination.
And I was saddened to find out that my biggest fear was true. It wasn’t just measles. Mothers were not bringing their children to the health centers to be vaccinated for all the vaccines, not just measles. Nauna lang yung outbreak ng measles.
But because of the Dengvaxia scare, ang conclusion ng mga Nanay, masama na lahat ng bakuna, which time and again, we kept on repeating, that that is not true.
Now, what made the mothers change their mind? It was not any campaign, as far as I’m concerned. It wasn’t a campaign of DOH, it wasn’t my campaign. It wasn’t anybody’s campaign. It was the reality that children started dying from measles. And that’s when napaisip yung mga mothers na, “Eh ano ba talaga, matatakot ba ako sa bakuna dahil sa narinig ko sa Dengvaxia o matatakot ako na hindi ko napabakunahan ang anak ko dahil ito na, nagkandamatay na yung ibang bata sa measles?”
And that’s when on their own, they started going to the health centers to have their children vaccinated for measles and hopefully the rest. So this time, when I would talk to mothers, they would be nodding their heads and they said that they would be vaccinating their children.
So now, I am saddened to get the confirmation that this deterioration in our vaccination rate is also seen in polio. And after 19 years, it’s so sad that this may actually come back.
Just for the record, DOH has identified priority regions, they have put together a campaign. But I really want to call upon DOH to really have visually enticing pictures. In fact, for lack of a better example, creativity and advertising [are] not my… forte. But similar to the pictures that you see in cigarettes, which is a product of our work with former Senate President Drilon and the current Senate President. Both of you helped me in getting that graphic warning bill [on cigarette packs] passed into law.
Similar to that, I was thinking, should I now call upon food companies to put these pictures on products that mothers and children are buying to remind them how important vaccination is?
Again, it’s not my place. I am not the advertising expert here. But I, and my 23 other colleagues, are tasked to ensure that the welfare and health of our children are protected. So if we need to shake things up a bit, I think we really should.
If we need to put these in billboards all over the country. We should put these on billboards. Kasi ‘pag hindi niyo pinabakunahan yung anak niyo, baka ganyan yung mangyari.
I mean, I only gave my staff three minutes to pull out some pictures that are available. I don’t know if somebody can refresh my mind. About a year ago, in a long plane trip, which is my only time to catch up on movies, this very well-done movie on polio at the turn of the century, I think it was maybe in the early 1900’s, it showed these people paralyzed from head to foot, just lying in bed, just literally waiting to die.
It showed how they lived their life that way, because they were victims of polio. And we don’t see that because today, in this age, there is no polio in the Philippines. But it’s a snap of a finger away, Mr. President.
I won’t go on about the technicalities, beyond the reality that we deprive the life of these children, a life that could be spent climbing trees, playing piko, playing patintero, maybe even becoming a Southeast Asian Games or Olympic Games champion, if their mothers or their parents do not feel the importance of vaccination.
Thank you very much, Mr. President.
Senator Pia Cayetano says the measles outbreak was the result of falling herd immunity among Filipinos, as she warns against the possible return of polio.
Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Pia S. Cayetano will lead on Tuesday (August 20) the panel’s second public discussion on the government’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP).
Discussions will focus on Package 2+ of the CTRP, which imposes higher excise taxes on alcoholic beverages. E-cigarettes, including heated tobacco and vapor products, are also covered by the proposal, but these will be taken up separately in a future hearing.
Cayetano said Package 2+ of the CTRP aims to discourage consumption of various ‘sin’ products among Filipinos, especially the youth and poor. At the same time, the proposal ensures the financial sustainability of government’s Universal Health Care (UHC) program.
“In the Ways and Means Committee, it’s my job to look for funding for our health programs, because I am very familiar with the needs of Filipino families,” stressed Cayetano, one of the Senate sponsors of the original Sin Tax Reform Act of 2012 (RA 10351).
“When it comes to sin products, these are taxed high in several countries all over the world. Sadya hong hindi mura ang mga nakakamatay na produkto sa maraming bansa. At binubuwisan natin ito dahil ayaw po natin na mamatay ang mga Pilipino sa mga sakit, aksidente, at peligro na dulot ng mga produktong ito. Ayaw din natin na mura ang alak at sigarilyo para hindi nabibili ng kabataan,” explained Cayetano.
The government’s official position will be presented by officials from the Department of Finance and the Department of Health.
Representatives from various agencies were invited to give their position on the proposal, including the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group, Land Transportation Office; World Health Organization; Motorcycle Federation of the Philippines; and ImagineLaw, Inc.
Civil society and medical organizations were also invited, including Health Justice; Action for Smoking and Health; Action for Economic Reforms; Public Services International; University of the Philippines College of Medicine; Independent Health Advocate Manila Doctors Hospital; Kalusugan ng Mag-Ina; Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance; Philippine Medical Association; Philippine Society of Gastroenterology; Hepatology Society of the Philippines; Philippine College of Physicians; Philippine Academy of Family Physicians; Philippine College of Chest Physicians;
Philippine Pediatric Society; Philippine Society of Clinical and Occupational Toxicology; Philippine College of Addiction Medicine; The Society of Adolescent Medicine of the Philippines; Philippine College of Occupational Medicine; Philippine Psychiatric Association; Philippine Mental Health Association; Philippine Neurological Association; Philippine Society of Medical Oncology; Philippine Heart Association; Philippine Society of General Internal Medicine; Philippine Society of Hypertension; Philippine Society of Nephrology; and Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism.
Also asked to join the hearing were women and children groups – Child Protection Unit of the Philippine General Hospital; Safe Kids Worldwide Philippines; Commission on Women; and Child’s Rights Coalition.
Tax reform measures form an integral component of the Duterte administration’s strategy to achieve its growth targets under AmBisyon 2040 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). #
Senators Pia Cayetano and Ronald Dela Rosa at the organizational meeting of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
Senator Pia S. Cayetano has called the attention of distributors and sellers of flavored alcoholic drinks called “alcopops” for using unethical and illegal marketing schemes to entice young Filipinos to buy their products. Alcopops are flavored alcoholic beverages, a variety of which is packed in colorful foil pouches similar to juice beverages. “I was very bothered when I found out about it. It’s packaged in a very colorful packaging that is very attractive to kids,” Cayetano stressed during the Senate Ways and Means Committee’s organizational meeting on Thursday (August 15). During the hearing, the Department of Finance (DOF) presented an overview of the remaining tax packages under the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), among which is the proposed increase in the excise tax on alcohol products. “I accepted the chairmanship of the Committee on Ways and Means precisely to be able to see through the delivery of public services that I’ve always dedicated my time and energy [to],” said Cayetano, who chairs the panel. The senator particularly expressed concern over the increasing consumption of alcopops among Filipinos. DOF figures show that Filipinos spent P69 million for alcopops in 2018, more than twice higher than the P30 million consumed in 2017. A particular brand of alcopops is currently being sold at P25 per 200 ml pack and has an alcohol content of 7 percent. Under the current tax rates, its total excise tax is only P1.30 per pack. The DOF is proposing to increase its tax rate to P8.00 per pack. Cayetano for her part decried the easy access of young children to the alcoholic drinks, which are being sold alongside regular non-alcoholic drinks in groceries and even online. Apart from this, the colorful packaging also makes it appealing to minors. As such, the senator called for the products to be pulled out of store counters and for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate the packaging, distribution, and sale of such alcoholic mix beverages. “We’re trying to sell a product that has 7 percent alcohol and is packaged to make it very attractive to children. It is unethical and unlawful,” she said. “Nananawagan ako sa mga matitino at maaayos na businessmen. Siguro naman sa sarili niyong anak, hindi niyo ipapainom ‘yan,” she further stressed. The senator, who earlier fought for the passage of the Sin Tax Reform Act of 2012, noted that a similar issue was raised in the Senate about how the marketing schemes of certain tobacco companies enticed the youth to try cigarettes. #
Cayetano decried the easy access of young children to alcopops, which are being sold alongside regular non-alcoholic drinks in groceries and even online.
“The time is right to re-study our tax rates and incentives.” Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Pia S. Cayetano said this on Thursday (August 15), following the panel’s organizational meeting to discuss the Duterte government’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP). Cayetano heads the Senate body tasked to tackle the remaining tax proposals under CTRP, including Package 2, which seeks to lower corporate income taxes (CIT) and rationalize incentives given to investors. “I do believe that the time is right to study the rationalization of our corporate holidays and various incentives so that we can prioritize the corporations that are really contributing to our sustainable economic growth,” she stressed. The senator said the ultimate goal is to come up with a measure that would generate the needed funds for programs that will benefit Filipino families, especially those belonging to the vulnerable sectors. Furthermore, she said ensuring the people’s access to basic social services would allow the country to fulfill its commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which serves as a blueprint in achieving a more sustainable future for the country. Package 2 of the CTRP proposes to lower the country’s CIT rate from 30 to 20 percent. It also seeks to rationalize incentives being given to companies investing in the country, to ensure that such advantages granted to them can generate domestic growth and employment for Filipinos. “Very clear naman ang presentation ng Department of Finance (DOF). Compared to other countries in the region, the Philippines has a high taxation rate. The objective is to lower that rate to make us more competitive and so that we will have more jobs,” Cayetano stressed. “We should also not grant incentives to businesses that are not really contributing to our economy,” she further said. On the other hand, the senator assured all concerned sectors that her committee would consider all positions, including those of her fellow senators, before finalizing the committee report and passing a tax reform bill in the Senate. “We intend to have weekly hearings [to discuss all tax measures]. Kailangan mag-double time kaming lahat,” she said. The Ways and Means committee is set to conduct its second hearing on Tuesday (August 20), which will primarily focus on Packages 2 and 2+ of the tax reform program.#
Senator Pia Cayetano: Lowering corporate income tax rates will make us more competitive in the ASEAN region.
Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Pia S. Cayetano is set to lead the body’s organizational meeting on Thursday (August 15) to discuss an overview of the government’s tax reform measures.
The meeting will focus on the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), a primary component of the Duterte government’s strategy to achieve its growth targets under AmBisyon 2040, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Resource persons from different government agencies were invited, including officials from the Department of Finance (DOF); Department of Budget and Management (DBM); Department of Health (DOH); Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR); Bureau of Customs (BOC); Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF); National Tax Research Center (NTRC); Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB); and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
The department officials are expected to discuss President Rodrigo Duterte’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda, in relation to pursuing the remaining tax reforms under CTRP, following the passage of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law in 2017.
The remaining packages include the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-Quality Opportunities (TRABAHO) bill, also known as Package 2, which seeks to lower the corporate income tax (CIT) and rationalize the tax incentives given to businesses in the country.
An additional component of the second package is the Sin Tax Reform bill (Package 2+), which seeks to impose higher excise taxes on alcohol products and e-cigarettes.
Cayetano said Package 2+ is an important health measure that will not only discourage the consumption of unhealthy products among Filipinos, but will also help fund the government’s Universal Health Care (UHC) Program.
The other CTRP proposals will also be generally discussed during the hearing, which include reforming the property valuation system (Package 3); and rationalizing capital income taxation (Package 4).
Furthermore, Cayetano said she will ask officials of the executive department to provide updates on the TRAIN Law to assess whether it has achieved its purpose of funding the government’s social services and infrastructure programs for the benefit of the poor. #
Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Senator Pia S. Cayetano
Public office is a public trust, and therefore should be transparent and accountable to the people at all times.
Thus stressed Senator Pia S. Cayetano, who has filed a measure that will mandate the installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) systems in all government offices throughout the country.
Called the ‘Surveillance Camera for Government Establishments Act’ (SBN 503), Cayetano said her proposal seeks to capture on video the day-to-day transactions of government offices, especially those rendering frontline services.
She added that CCTVs will help deter corrupt practices, such as public officials asking for kickbacks or bribes to hasten government transactions.
Further, SBN 503 is aligned with government’s commitments to attain Goal 16 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is to build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
“Ridding our institutions of corruption means better quality social services, which would help the country achieve all SDGs by 2030,” she noted.
The bill mandates surveillance cameras with audio recording technology to be installed and maintained within the premises of government offices, especially in the country’s immigration counters, land transportation offices, customs, internal revenue offices, permits offices, and land transportation offices.
The surveillance cameras shall always be switched on and recording on a 24/7 basis. Security employees or personnel shall be specifically tasked to monitor the video feeds.
Meanwhile, areas requiring privacy like restrooms, shower rooms, changing rooms, and the like are exempted from the installation of CCTV cameras. Concerned government offices shall also prohibit any use, viewing, disclosure, or publication of video recordings that are not within the mandate of the proposed measure.
The use of video records shall only be allowed in specific instances where they are needed: for the investigation or prosecution of a punishable offense; for a pending criminal or civil proceeding; for the avoidance of an imminent threat to persons or property; or to ascertain the identity of a criminal perpetrator.
The senator’s proposal is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s challenge for Congress to help end corruption in government, a call which he reiterated during his fourth State of the Nation Address.
The President earlier made the same suggestion to install CCTV cameras in government offices to monitor the activities of employees and help avoid corruption. #
Public offices under the public eye: Senator Pia Cayetano wants CCTVs installed in government offices to deter corrupt practices and to promote accountability and transparency.
This is what Senator Pia S. Cayetano had to say about recent calls to revive the Dengvaxia vaccine following the Department of Health’s (DOH) declaration of a dengue epidemic throughout the country.
In a television interview on Friday (August 9), Cayetano said she agreed with President Rodrigo Duterte’s position to wait for the advice of local health experts before considering using the vaccine again in the Philippines.
“This is a technical and scientific matter that should be left to the health experts. The President [already] said he’s listening to them, so let’s give this time,” she asserted.
“Sana po huwag muna tayong mag-comment… Kasi litong-lito na ang mga tao,” the senator appealed.
Cayetano said while the issue on Dengvaxia’s revival is yet to be decided on by public health specialists, government officials should focus on discussing policies that will provide Filipino families better access to health services.
“Sana po ang mga politicians, we just discuss policies. Our policy is we want to ensure the safety of the Filipino people. We want to ensure that they have access to [appropriate healthcare services]. The poor should also have access to whatever is available to the rich,” she stressed.
In particular, Cayetano said proper attention should be given on addressing the problem of stunted growth among Filipino kids.
The DOH stated that one in three children in the country remains stunted, a figure which has not improved in the last 15 years.
“We must go back to the health basics. Those should be the concerns that we have. That’s part of our job, to ensure that the poorest of the poor are covered [by our health budget] and that these children become healthier,” she noted.
“We need to address this because this will help our children fight [dengue]. When they are malnourished or do not have the proper vaccinations, they are more susceptible to diseases,” she added.
The principal author of the Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act and several other public health laws, Cayetano has filed bills in the Senate seeking to improve health services for Filipinos, including measures that seek to provide one midwife in every barangay; establish specialty centers in DOH hospitals and medical centers; institute the utilization and promotion of Folic Acid food fortification and supplementation; and the Build, Build, Build counterpart program for public health facilities.
The senator’s initiatives are in line with the country’s commitment to the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 of the SDGs, which urges nations to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. #
Senator Pia Cayetano interviewed on CNN’s The Source: “We must go back to the health basics.”
