More than 200 doctors and health advocates gathered at the Lung Center of The Philippines urging 2025 candidates to become “Health Tax Heroes” by backing stronger taxes on tobacco, vapes, and alcohol to combat what they describe as a growing addiction epidemic among Filipino youth.
The event featured a bold gallery titled “Health Tax Heroes and Hazards,” naming lawmakers based on their voting records on public health taxation—including the landmark R.A. No. 10351 sin tax reform law and the controversial House Bill 11360, which advocates dubbed the “Sin Tax Sabotage Bill.”
Among those hailed as “Health Tax Heroes” were Senator Pia Cayetano, former Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Ping Lacson, and boxing champion-turned-lawmaker Manny Pacquiao, all of whom consistently supported taxes on cigarettes, vaping products, and alcohol.
In contrast, Senators Imee Marcos and Bong Revilla were labeled “Health Tax Hazards” for opposing key sin tax measures.
“We need candidates for the 2025 elections to be health tax heroes and stand with us in prioritizing the health and well-being of our people,” said AJ Montesa, economist from Action for Economic Reforms and a member of the Sin Tax Coalition.
Montesa stressed that health taxes are not merely economic policies, but life-saving tools. “For over a decade, the laws taxing tobacco, vape, and alcohol products have helped fund critical healthcare programs. We have to stay the course so that these taxes keep impacting consumption, given the ongoing epidemic affecting young people,” he added.
In a powerful visual protest, doctors and public health advocates unveiled their central demand: “Tax Yosi, Vape, Alak, Now,” a new campaign under the coalition’s Health Manifesto, which outlines legislative commitments they want aspiring lawmakers to support.
The manifesto also urges voters to closely examine candidates’ past actions, not just their campaign promises, especially those who supported or stayed silent on efforts like HB 11360.
“We are on the front lines, witnessing the devastating effects of tobacco, alcohol, and vaping on our communities, especially the youth,” said Dr. Hector Santos, president of the Philippine Medical Association.
Public health leaders did not mince words in condemning political inaction and industry influence.
“For some years, some lawmakers have prioritized profit over Filipino lives. This election, we are making sure voters know exactly who has betrayed public health,” said Dr. Maricar Limpin, president of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians.
Montesa clarified that the coalition’s campaign is nonpartisan and grounded solely on lawmakers’ voting behavior.
“I want to make it clear that this assessment is not personal, not partisan, and we are not favoring any political party. It is based on voting records, not rhetoric,” Montesa said.