Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — After being met with strong public opposition, the proposal to add taxes to beauty products and services will no longer be pushed by its proponent.
Representative Rodel Batocabe of Ako Bicol Party-list said on Monday that he was heeding the sentiments of those to be affected by such a tax hike.
Batocabe, apparently in jest, said he would not want to affect the good looks of Filipino men and women.
The lawmaker said that solons would instead focus on better tax collection — noting that VAT collection efficiency in the petroleum and beauty industries stood at less than 50 percent.
The idea of padding taxes on cosmetic products came bill after the government pushed for an excise tax hike on petroleum products.
Batocabe had deemed it would be wiser that, instead of this hike — which would affect prices of goods — it would be better to add taxes to beauty products since this would not fall under basic goods and those who choose to buy can afford them.
