TLDR Rep. Junard Chan proposed raising taxes on online gambling during a House ways and means committee session. The extra revenue would help fund a plan to raise the personal income tax exemption to P350,000. The Department of Finance says the tax relief plan could cost P60 billion in lost revenue each year. Lawmakers also debated a proposed tax on sugar-sweetened drinks and whether it would hurt working families. Other proposals included raising the tax exemption to P600,000 and cutting corruption at the Bureau of Customs.
A Philippine lawmaker has proposed raising taxes on online gambling. The plan would help pay for a new income tax relief bill.
Representative Junard Chan made the proposal during a House ways and means committee session. The meeting focused on raising the personal income tax exemption to P350,000.
Tax Relief Plan and Revenue Gap
The income tax exemption increase follows an instruction from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He raised the idea during his fifth State of the Nation Address.
The Department of Finance says the plan could cost the government P60 billion in lost revenue each year. Officials are looking for new ways to cover that gap.
The DOF has suggested taxing sweetened drinks, e-cigarettes, distilled liquor and single-use plastics. Chan asked if online gambling taxes could also be raised.
He asked DOF Undersecretary Karlo Fermin Adriano if the department had studied higher taxes on online gaming. Chan said the activity carries social risks and deserves a closer look.
Adriano said the DOF is reviewing all proposals from Congress. He added that the department will study the idea further.
Debate Over Sweetened Beverage Tax
Chan also raised concerns about a planned tax on sugary drinks. The plan includes a P20 per liter tax on sweetened beverages and a P40 per liter