By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Senator JV Ejercito recently noted the proposed excise taxes on sugar-sweetened products and fuel make passing the Comprehensive Tax Reform Package a challenge.
He said, as a sponsor of the Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SIDA), the excise tax on sugar will “surely affect” farmers.
The senator added, the excise tax on petroleum products would likely lead to increased prices on other commodities, while additional taxes on housing would blunt prospects in the socialized housing industry.
Senator Cynthia Villar, who was in Talisay City yesterday for the Mill District Development Council (MDDC) summit at the Nature’s Village Resort, expressed her opposition to the tax reform package.
“We know we have to give something to the government, but we have to also soften the blow to the public,” she said.
Villar noted she would like to hear from those dependent on the sugar industry before bringing the package before a vote.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, meanwhile, said he is still pushing to lower sugar taxes and amend it set measurements to liters and not consumption./WDJ