Pacquiao 's Call To Raise Tobacco Taxes Anew Could Hurt Farmers

Chavit Singson Says Manny Pacquiao’s Call To Raise Tobacco Taxes Anew Could Hurt Farmers

PACQUIAO – Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Luis “Chavit” Singson accused Manny Pacquiao of not using his brain for proposing higher taxes on tobacco. The Ilocos Sur kingpin said it could hurt the tobacco farmers in the long run.

Last July, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Luis “Chavit” Singson slammed Presidential aspirant and Senator Manny Pacquiao, over the suggestion to increase the tax on tobacco. Pacman has been an advocate in raising the taxes on alcohol and tobacco products to boost the universal healthcare program of the government.

Pacquiao first claimed that he discussed it with him, however, Chavit requested that he would not pursue the tax increase. After their disagreement on the imposition of a higher tobacco tax, Chavit decided to withdraw his support for Pacquaio.

Manny Pacquiao said Chavit left him hanging after he stood for “what is right.” Based on a report from Inquirer, Chavit has accused Pacman of not using his brain for proposing higher excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco products.

The veteran politician said the senator’s call for higher tax could hurt tobacco farmers in the long run. He said, “Eh kasi pinasok niya ‘yong issue na ‘yan nang di niya alam ‘yong sinasabi niya. ‘Pag tinaas ‘yong excise tax ng sigarilyo, tumataas ‘yong kita namin sa probinsya. Meaning, in short, nagbebenefit kami ‘pag tinaas. Kaya ‘ka ko, sobra na. Makikinabang kami eh, pero sobra na.”

Chavit-Singson — Photo Source: Philippine Star

The Ilocos Sur kingpin said Pacquiao probably didn’t know that the tax on tobacco has increased 9 times already. He said he feared that the industry might perish if the tax increase will push through.

“Hindi niya alam nine times nang tumaas. Hindi niya naiintindihan, nine times na tinaas, eh sobra na. Baka mamatay ‘yong industriya ‘ka ko, mawawalan ng hanap-buhay ang tao, mawawalan din ng pera ang gobyerno. So sobra na ang taxes, ‘yon lang…”

“Up to now hindi niya maintindihan, ‘yong issue na ‘yan hindi niya maintindihan. Syempre ‘pag tinaas mo ang kita namin, ‘wag mo itaas dahil sobra na, nine times na ang tinaas ng taxes. Kawawa ang industriya, masisira ang industriya kung matutuloy ang tax. Hindi niya maintindihan ‘yon up to now.”

“‘Hindi ko pinagbigyan ang kumpare ko […] nagyabang pa eh mali naman ‘yong yabang niya. So ‘di niya ginagamit ang utak niya masyado,” he added.