By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who was in Bacolod City yesterday as a guest speaker at the Philippine Councilors’ League (PCL) national convention, said he expects adjustments to the proposed P10 per liter excise tax on sugar sweetened beverages, explaining it is a new provision not yet discussed in the Senate.
Pressed if government economic managers would bend to lower the proposed tax, he said it was not far-fetched, noting they already changed their tune on the diesel fuel excise tax, which was initially pegged at P6 but will now be implemented in three phases: P3 in the first year, P2 in the second year, and P1 in the third year.
Gatchalian explained tax proposals should be considered as one package, pointing out those who make more pay a larger percentage of tax.
“We are just transferring the burden from the middle and lower class to those who consume more,” he pointed out. “Those who consume more fuel will pay more excise tax.”
Gatchalian also said he wants to ensure the additional taxes do not affect jobs.
“A tax on sugar-sweetened beverages will be detrimental if jobs are affected,” he said.
Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Joseph Victor Ejercito, who both have roots in Negros Occidental, earlier expressed apprehensions around the proposal to impose an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages as it may raise the price of goods./WDJ