SIN tax law particularly the one that pertains to cigarettes was enacted barely a year after former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, a known heavy smoker himself assumed power in 2010. 

Certainly, Aquino would not pass as poster boy of anti-smoking campaign but the law was conceived by lawmakers hoping it would help discourage smokers while also raising revenues for government coffers.

The money to be generated from the law would go to providing assistance to affected tobacco farmers and their families other industry stakeholders as well as to healthcare and the improvement of medical facilities especially those that…

Read more: THE PARADOX OF SIN TAX LAW

THE reported plan by the Duterte administration to invest around US$23 billion in infrastructure tourism could not have come at a better time. 

If everything goes according to plan, that US$23 billion would certainly go a long way in making our country competitive as we bid to lure in tourists and away from other tourist destinations in the world.

Records indicate that the Philippines was visited by more than five million foreign tourists last year. For this year, the Tourism Department is eyeing to attract 10 million international tourists and 56 million local travelers. 

With more than 7,100…

Read more: BRILLIANT MOVE

THE SUDDEN departure of VP Leni Robredo from her Cabinet post has sparked a lot of wild theories and speculations especially after reports circulated that President Duterte has already lost his trust on her.

Her open and vocal opposition in many of presidential decisions such as allowing the burial of former dictator and President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani among others could have hastened her exit from the Palace.

However, whatever might be the reason for Robredo being axed from her HUDCC post, should serve as basis for our lawmakers to reexamine our current political system especially…

Read more: THE CURIOUS CASE OF VP ROBREDO

THE PESO continued its slide against the dollar and there are strong indications that the exchange might even breach the P50: US$ 1 mark.

This development has some political and economic analysts worrying even as they are trying to figure out the reasons for the skid and what would be its effect on our overall economic situation.

Some analysts theorize that the peso’s depreciation could be the result of risk aversion amid US political uncertainties and concerns over the impending US interest rates hike next month.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said external developments play a significant role…

Read more: GUT ISSUE