'I cannot accept this, that we will not impose tax, especially when we read about some extravagant wedding abroad,' says Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon during the debate, apparently referring to the lavish wedding of Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho
MANILA, Philippines – Senators on Monday, November 27, had a heated debate on the imposition of higher tax on cosmetic surgeries, ultimately deciding to impose an additional 10% levy.
Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto initially moved to remove the provision seeking to impose 20% tax on cosmetic procedures, surgeries, or body enhancements under "non-essential goods and services." Recto said services are not covered by excise tax.
Senate ways and means committee chairman Juan Edgardo Angara accepted Recto's motion but Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon opposed it. Angara said cosmetic surgery companies are already paying income tax and value-added tax (VAT).
But Drilon said it is "unjust" to not impose additional taxes on surgeries for aesthetic purposes when Filipino masses' use of fuel would be taxed more, thus increasing transportation costs.
"Maiintindihan ba 'yun ng taong bayan 'pag tumaas presyo ng pamasahe? Puwede ba natin sabihin, eh 'di puwede taasan paglaki ng suso dahil 'yan ay 'di dapat excise tax?" Drilon said.
(Will the public understand the situation when fares go up? Can we say that breast augmentation cannot be taxed because that is not covered by excise tax?)
"Ang punto po, Mr President, ay equity – na 'yung mahihirap ay tataasan ng buwis sa pamamagitan ng excise tax, pero ang mayayaman na nagpapalaki ng suso ay 'di dapat magbayad ng additional buwis. 'Di po tama 'yan," he added.
(The point, Mr President, is equity – the poor will face higher taxes because of excise tax, but the rich who undergo procedures like breast augmentation will not be paying additional tax. That's not right.)
Senator Cynthia Villar shared Drilon's sentiment and expressed support for his motion.
Villar, whose family runs real estate firm Vista Land, cited the removal of tax exemptions in housing. She expressed concern that lost revenues from cosmetic surgery tax would be imposed as additional tax on housing and other sectors.
"Every time we remove some taxes, we impose another tax to compensate because the target is always that amount," Villar said.
"Tinanggal na VAT [exemption] sa housing. Nag-suffer na housing do'n. Ang ipapalit 'yung documentary stamps, housing na naman 'yun. Lahat ng maglo-loan, magbabayad doble," she added.
(The VAT exemption has been removed for housing. The housing sector has suffered. The revenues will be sourced from documentary stamps instead, that's also for housing. All who take out loans would have to pay double.)
Belo's 'extravagant' wedding, medical tourism
Senator Richard Gordon, for his part, said the cosmetic surgery industry is "growing" and added that the Philippines could be a hub for medical tourism.
Drilon, however, did not buy this, saying cosmetic surgeries have long been done in the Philippines but the country has not become a medical tourism site.
"Matagal na po 'yung pagpapalaki ng suso, 'di naman po nakaka-increase ng turismo, wala naman hong medical tourism. Ang lumalaki ibang bagay," he said.
(Breast augmentation has long been done here, and yet tourism hasn't increased because of it, the country isn't known for medical tourism. Something else gets bigger.)
"It is the equity principle. Taxation should be progressive. Those who could afford should pay taxes," he added.
Drilon also said he cannot accept that new taxes would not be imposed on cosmetic surgeries when an "extravagant" wedding took place in Paris, apparently referring to the lavish wedding of celebrity doctor Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho.
"Labag talaga sa kalooban ko. I cannot accept this, that we will not impose tax, especially when we read about some extravagant wedding abroad. $2 million ginastos [sa] opera house sa Paris, tapos 'di natin bubuwisan? 'Di naman tama," Drilon said.
(It really goes against what I believe in. I cannot accept this, that we will not impose tax, especially when we read about some extravagant wedding abroad. $2 million spent on an opera house in Paris, and yet we won't impose tax on cosmetic surgeries? That's not right.)
In the end, instead of conducting a vote on the matter, Recto and Drilon reached a compromise: an additional tax of 10% – down from the original 20% – would be imposed on aesthetic procedures or operations.
The provision is not in the version of the House of Representatives. Once the Senate finalizes its version, both chambers of Congress have to convene a bicameral conference committee to thresh out differences.
Senators exchange green jokes during debate on cosmetic surgery tax
GREEN JOKES. Senators exchange green jokes on the floor as they discuss the imposition of higher taxes on cosmetic surgeries. File photo
It was initially all business as senators had a lengthy debate on the issue of cosmetic surgery tax.
The discussion, however, ended up taking a naughty turn.
After senators reached a compromise on the imposition of 10% tax on aesthetic procedures, Senate ways and means committee chairman Juan Edgardo Angara started the stream of green jokes.
"Mr President, Senator [Richard] Gordon wants the exclusion of certain procedures which are related to his name," Angara said, apparently referring to "Dick," Gordon's nickname.
The joke elicited laughter from senators, staff, and others in the gallery watching the session.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon replied in jest: "Why? Does he need it, Mr President?"
Gordon then said: "Obviously, there are limitations [to] the imagination and vocabulary of the chairman, your honor. And I think he's referring to many of us who would not admit their infirmities in the manner of size, so I'm just trying to give them a chance because in South Africa they're now making such procedures, enhancements."
Angara then withdrew his joke and clarified that his statement was made in jest. "I thank the gentleman for his good humor," he added.
Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto interjected and asked a question.
"I heard the Minority Leader kept on speaking about breast enhancement. Paano naman reduction (What about reduction)?"
With Recto's question appearing serious, Drilon responded that such an operation done for aesthetic purposes would also get higher taxes.
Recto then asked Angara in jest: "Just a clarification, Mr Chair. Having said that, [does] Senator Gordon want enhancement or reduction?"
The comment again drew laughter from the crowd. Angara replied: "He claims it's a reduction, Mr President."
The cosmetic surgery tax is not present in the version of the House of Representatives. Once the Senate has finalized its version, both chambers of Congress have to convene to thresh out differences.
Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho are in Paris to say 'I do'
ROAD TO I DO. Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho are ready for their wedding Paris. Photo shows the couple with daughter Scarlet during a visit in ABS-CBN. Screnegrab from Instagram/@victoria_belo
MANILA, Philippines – After exchanging vows at a civil wedding in July, Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho have left for Paris for their grand wedding.
The celebration, scheduled on the first weekend of September, is expected to be star-studded with the likes of Korina Sanchez, Tim Yap, Isabelle Daza, and Lovi Poe already in Paris for the occasion.
The couple have been posting some of the details of their upcoming nuptials on social media the last few weeks and we can't get enough of Vicki and Hayden's wedding prep.
1. The invitations. Vicki posted a photo of the invitations saying: Hayden and I are so excited to celebrate with you in Paris. Let this invitation be a reminder that all things are possible with God
PS. We wanted our wedding invitation to be a reflection of us as a couple.Can you spot the small details we included?"
PS. We wanted our wedding invitation to be a reflection of us as a couple.Can you spot the small details we included?"
The invitation opens to show their initials plus a pop-up of a theater with drawings of the couple and Scarlet. It also had the words "In Honor of God."
2. The engagement ring. Of the engagement ring, Vicki shared: "the engagement ring is beautiful but what's more beautiful is the love story behind it."
Although Vicki did not disclose where the ring came from, ABS-CBN reported that the ring was from Graff Diamonds, a luxury jeweler in London.
3. The wedding dress. Dubai-based designer Michael Cinco was tapped to do Vicki's wedding gown. In an interview with Preview magazine, Vicki says that Michael made not just one but 4 wedding gowns. (READ: Vicki Belo to wear 4 Michael Cinco gowns at her wedding)
"He just surprised me by giving me 4 dresses kasi he got carried away daw with the excitement,” she said.
4. Scarlet's reception dress. Vicki posted that Scarlet Snow will wear a Mischka Aoki dress for their reception.
5. Documenting the wedding. Hayden says that he has been jounaling his journey leading up to the big day.
"All my guy friends who got married had told me that the wedding ceremony is so emotionally overwhelming for a guy there's nothing of it that I'd remember after the experience. Thus, I'm writing everything down in this journal. I want to remember every single second of the moment I marry my wife."
Congratulations and best wishes to Vicki and Hayden.
Things-to-do with your kids: Let’s get creative!
MANILA, Philippines – Bonding moments with your kids, especially during their formative years, hold a special place in your heart.
This is a time when you can help shape their character, support their newfound love for activities, and simply be present to witness their milestones.
It’s during these moments where you’re able to protect your child from physical harm and give them the best care that they can get before they step out into the big world. This means providing them with proper nutrition. Check the label of the milk you buy to ensure that you give your kids the essential nutrients to strengthen their immune system. Introduce to them healthy food that will help keep their energy and mood up.
This is your chance to become the best parent that you can be even when you’re in an environment that you can’t control. You can now focus on spending more quality time with them confident that they’re protected inside and out.
Check out the activities that you can do with your kids to cultivate their imagination and make it a creative bonding experience in the weeks ahead:
Watch a musical
What: Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical
When: Every weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) from November 10 to December 10
Where: Meralco Theater, Meralco Ave., Pasig CIty
For more details visit TicketWorld.com
Go back in time
What: Dinosaurs Around the World: Passport to Pangea (an international traveling exhibition)
When: Exhibit runs from September 2017 to March 2018
Where: Mind Museum, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
For more details visit MindMuseum.org
Make postcards for Christmas
What: Christmas art Workshops: Botanical Christmas Postcard making Workshop
When: November 25, 2017 9am to 12nn and/or 2pm to 5pm
Where: Ayala Museum, Makati City
IN PHOTOS: Vicki Belo, Hayden Kho's welcome dinner in Paris
DINNER PARTY. Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho gather friends and family for an intimate dinner cruise in Paris, a day before their wedding. Screengrab from Instagram/@officialtimyap
MANILA, Philippines – On the eve of their big "I Do," Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho gathered friends and family for an intimate river cruise dinner onboard the Pavillion Seine in Paris on Friday, September 1. (READ; Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho are in Paris to say 'I do')
Among those spotted in the cruise were Vicki's children, Cristalle and Quark Henares; Tim Yap; Ogie Alcasid and his children; Dingdong Dantes; Marian Rivera; Tessa Prieto-Valdez; and Richard Gomez.
Here's Vicki and Hayden sharing a tender moment.
Vicki, daughter Scarlet, Hayden, and Tim Yap.
Jinkee Pacquiao was also at the party.
Ben Chan shared photos with some of his Bench endorsers such as Marian Rivera, Lovi Poe, Dingdong Dantes, Georgina Wilson, and Isabelle Daza.
Tim Yap and Tessa Prieto-Valdez hosted the event.
Here's Jinkee with Marian and daughter Zia.
Zia and Marian show their signature pout.
Lovely couple Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres also came.
Cristalle poses for photos at her suite before the party.
Here's Vicki with guests including G-Force teacher Georcelle Dapat-Sy.
Here's Rainier Wong with Derek Ramsay.
Miss Universe 1973 Margie Moran and designer Michael Cinco were also at the party. Michael designed Vicki's wedding gowns.
Entrepreneur Bonnae Gokson shared this photo of the couple.
Vicki and Hayden were married in civil rites in June. The couple has been together for 12 years.
This is Vicki's second marriage. She was married to Atom Henares with whom she has two children – Quark and Cristalle. Vicki and Hayden introduced Scarlet Snow to the public in 2016.
After heated debate, senators approve 10% tax on cosmetic surgeries
![After heated debate, senators approve 10% tax on cosmetic surgeries]()
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