WATCH: Heated exchange between Isabela vice mayor, villagers over tobacco tax

MANILA, Philippines — Reina Mercedes, Isabela Vice Mayor Harold Respicio accused several village officials of involvement in the anomalous use of P66 million tobacco excise tax shares, which resulted in a heated exchange during a municipal council session. 

The council session on Monday, posted on the Facebook page of Respicio, has been making rounds on social media. It has over 37,000 reactions, 8,400 comments, and 6,000 shares as of this press time.

The discussion on excise tax shares began when Councilor Hilaria Cutaran made a privilege speech urging Respicio to visit the sites of proposed projects under the tax shares.

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She also acknowledged the village officials and farmers present to hear the discussion on the excise tax on tobacco products.

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“Bigyan nyo ng atensyon ang bayan ng Reina Mercedes, be considerate po para maging peaceful at progressive ang ating bayan. Dumito po kayo para malaman ang nangyayari sa bayan,” she said.

(Give attention to the municipality of Reina Mercedes; be considerate in making this municipality peaceful and progressive.)

In his interpellation, Respicio said tobacco farmers want the excise tax on their products allotted to them amid allegations of anomalies.

“Gusto nila na ang tobacco excise tax na nakalaan sa kanila sang-ayon sa batas mapunta sa kanilang pakinabang, hindi sa programang hindi ginagawa at dahil hindi nagagawa ang programa. Ang tamang gawin para sa kanya, ay ibigay na lang sa kanila nang substantial cash para sure na hindi manakaw,” Respicio pointed out. 

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(They want that the tobacco excise tax allocated to them, as stated by the law, must be given to them and not to projects that are not implemented. The right thing to do is to give them substantial cash to ensure that the shares will not be stolen.)

The vice mayor then asked Cutaran if she knew where the projects from the tax shares from last year went. Cutaran confirmed that she has no knowledge of this matter.

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In response, Respicio questioned why the tax shares must be allocated for other projects if they are not being implemented properly.

Cutaran then backtracked and said: “Wala naman sigurong programa na hindi magagawa.” (There probably isn’t any project that is not being implemented.)

Respicio began raising his voice, pointing out the earlier pronouncement that she has no knowledge of the implementation of the projects. 

“Sabi mo gusto mo akong magtrabaho, nagtatrabaho ako ngayon. Magnegotiate tayo, ang premise natin is since walang report sa mga nagawa last year at hindi natin alam kung may nagawa at malaki ang suspetsa na hindi nagagawa, ang aking proposal ay huwag ka munang maglaan ng pera sa mga bagay na baka ulit hindi magawa dahil kapag hindi nagagawa… baka ninanakaw ang pera,” he answered. 

(You said you want me to perform my duties, so here I am doing my job. Let’s negotiate, the premise is since there is no report on the projects done last year, and we do not know if there is anything implemented and we have suspicion that they are not being implemented, my proposal is not allocate money on projects that may not be done because if that is the case… the money may be stolen.)

Cutaran then said that not all the tax shares must be given to farmers. Respicio once again asked if the tax shares must be allocated to unimplemented projects.

When Cutaran responded that it is “impossible” for some projects to be unimplemented, Respicio said: “Hindi, kakasagot mo lang kanina na wala kang alam na proyektong hindi nagawa.” (No, you just said earlier that you don’t know anything about projects that are not implemented.)

He then pressed the village officials in the room on the projects funded by the excise tax.

He told them that they are “sufficiently charged by law” to provide quarterly reports on the progress of the projects funded by the tax. 

READ: Alleged anomalous tobacco tax use sparks heated exchange in Isabela

“Kung ipipilit ninyo na sabihin na wag ibigay yung pera sa tobacco farmers, at sabi nyo ibigay ang pera sa programa dahil sinasabi nyo na magagawa naman, ipakita nyo muna na nagawa yung last year,” Respicio said. 

(If you insist on not providing the money to tobacco farmers, and say that the tax shall be allotted to programs, show the progress of the projects from last year.)

An official then requested to check the progress of the projects in barangays, to which Respicio agreed to. 

READ: Illicit cigarettes seized in Isabela have P82.33M in tax liabilities – BIR

He asked another village official about the status of a rural health facility worth P5 million. Respicio raised his voice when the official said no project had been implemented. 

Another village official intervened amid the exchange. In response, Respicio said that the session is a “civilized forum” where they can confront each other. 

Respicio raised concern about the alleged exclusion of tobacco farmers from participating in the session.

He then asked another village official if he was one of those who allegedly prohibited the tobacco farmers from participating in the previous session.

The village official also raised his voice and rejected the allegation, telling Respicio: “Bastos ka!” (You’re rude!)

In response, Respicio told the village officials: “Mga magnanakaw!” (You are thieves!)

As the exchange grew more heated, they moved to suspend the session, but it was not approved. 

Respicio then asked the village officials how much they stole from the municipality. Another village official intervened and said: “Walang magnanakaw dito, walang napatunayang may magnanakaw.” (No one stole here; there is no proof of that.)

As the village officials were being escorted out of the session hall, one of them threw profanities at Respicio and questioned his job as a vice mayor.

“Andun ka lang sa Manila, hindi ka naman nagtatrabaho, kumukuha ka lang ng sahod mo,” the village official said. 

(You are just in Manila, you are not doing your job, you’re just getting your salary.)

Reina Mercedes is one of Isabela’s major tobacco-producing municipalities.

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It receives annual shares from national tobacco excise tax collections under Republic Act No. 8240, which are intended to support programs such as livelihood, cooperative development, and infrastructure projects.