Excise Tax On Sugar Sweetened Beverpines Case Study

I would like to thank the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, the ECCP, for inviting me to share my thought on the topic: “Analysis of the Health and Economic Implication of the Excise Tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages.”
This occasion, I may say, is somehow a relief from the heavy emotion, grief, and indignation that engulfed the whole nation these past few days or so because of disturbing events. I’m sure you know what I mean.
At the onset, I would like to point out that I support the Duterte administration. I’m a member of the majority bloc in the Senate. But I’m not a blind follower. I support the good programs but reject the actions that do not promote the interests of the people, especially the poor.
I oppose the proposed excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) because I
If the low-income earners will no longer buy SSBs because of their prohibitive prices, sari-sari stores will close down; ambulant vendors will stop selling; carinderias or canteens will stop operating. This is not a choice, but a result of the negative domino effects of the excise tax on SSBs. They have to do close shop, or they will eventually go bankrupt and lose everything including their small capitals.
No sweet effect on sugarcane farmers
If the proposed excise tax on SSBs is approved, sugarcane fields will lose their sweetness, so to speak. The demand for raw sugar will decline because manufacturers will slow down on producing consumer goods with sugar ingredient or its by-products. This will displace not only sugarcane farmers, but also workers of food manufacturing companies.
Anti-Poor Comprehensive Tax Reform Package
I believe that the comprehensive tax reform package agenda of President Dutertet has good intentions. In fact, one of the provisions of the TRAIN is to lower personal income taxes for low income-earners. This is a pro-poor