Who are the candidates, party-list groups that care about your health?

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rapplerAds.displayAd( "mobile-middle-1" );MANILA, Philippines – Ahead of the 2025 midterm polls, candidates who are considered “heroes” and “hazards” to public health by health advocates have been identified based on their voting history in the halls of Congress.The Sin Tax Coalition identified candidates gunning for a seat in either the Senate and the House of Representatives who they consider “pro-health.



”The advocates see the May 12 polls as an opportunity to strengthen health-related laws. A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released on February 28 showed that 90% of voters would consider candidates who advocate for the “strengthening of the healthcare system.”Must Read Alarmed over vaping and alcohol, advocates urge candidates to be ‘pro-health’ Here’s a list of recent health tax measures in Congress and who supported them.

Sin Tax Reform of 2012 (Republic Act 10351)The law imposes higher taxes on tobacco and alcohol products, which at the time were being sold in the Philippines for a price considered among the cheapest in the world. The taxes were designed to be used for the country’s universal health care program.Voted YesVoted NoAbby BinayPia CayetanoPing LacsonLito LapidTito SottoBong RevillaSin Tax Reform of 2019 (RA 11346)The law increased taxes on tobacco and is the country’s first law that imposed taxes on heated tobacco and vapor products.

Voted YesBam AquinoPing LacsonManny PacquiaoTito SottoKiko Pangilinanwindow.rapplerAds.displayAd( "middle-2" );window.

rapplerAds.displayAd( "mobile-middle-2" );Sin Tax Reform of 2020 (RA 11467)The law further increased taxes on alcohol by around P35 to P50, while e-cigarettes had an additional P25 to P45. The law also prescribed rates until 2023 — with vapor products getting tax rates as high as P60.

Voted YesDid not votePia CayetanoBato dela RosaPing LacsonLito LapidImee MarcosManny PacquiaoKiko PangilinanTito SottoBong GoBong RevillaCamille VillarVape Liberalization Act (RA 11900)The law lowered the age access for vape — allowing 18-year-olds to buy them instead of limiting purchases to those aged 21 and older. The Vape Liberalization Act also transferred the regulatory powers from the Food and Drug Administration to the Department of Trade and Industry.Both the Department of Health and the Department of Education (DepEd) had asked former President Rodrigo Duterte to veto the bill, citing public health concerns and making vape more accessible to students.

However, it only ended up lapsing into law in July 2022.Voted YesVoted NoAbstainBato dela RosaPing LacsonLito LapidImee MarcosBong RevillaTito SottoCamille VillarPia CayetanoKiko PangilinanBong GoManny PacquiaoHouse Bill 11360The bill aims to lower tobacco tax to 2% — it’s why advocates call it the “Sin Tax Sabotage Bill.” If passed into law, this would make cigarettes cheaper in a country where tobacco-related deaths totaled 89,000 in 2023.

Here’s a list of the principal authors of the bill: Kristine Singson-MeehanMikaela Angela SuansingRufus RodriguezLGPMA PartylistACT-CIS PartylistAKO BISAYA PartylistAbono PartylistUnited Senior CitizensManila Teachers PartylistKabayan PartylistPhilreca PartylistAPEC PartylistTGP PartylistHealth professionals said that the Philippines already has a “full-blown epidemic” on vape, tobacco, and alcohol-use.window.rapplerAds.

displayAd( "middle-3" );window.rapplerAds.displayAd( "mobile-middle-3" );In a press conference in March, the Sin Tax Coalition said they would campaign against candidates who support the Sin Tax Sabotage bill.

Advocates are calling on candidates to prioritize the Filipino public’s health, asking them to introduce new policies should they win — such as setting a higher minimum drinking age and putting more restrictions on sales and advertising of products.Data from the Action for Economic Reforms said excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption costs the Philippines P1.055 trillion every year, which accounts for lost productivity and healthcare costs on an individual.

– Rappler.com.