Abolishing the Travel Tax on Filipinos and Asean Members

25 JUL -2 P4:26 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session SENATE S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla AN ACT ABOLISHING THE TRAVEL TAX ON FILIPINOS AND ON NATIONALS OF ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN) MEMBER STATES TRAVELLING TO OTHER ASEAN MEMBER STATES EXPLANATORY NOTE The right to travel is not a privilege. It is a constitutional guarantee. Section 6, Article III of the 1987 Constitution mandates that " The liberty of abode and of changing the same within the limits prescribed by law shall not be impaired except upon lawful order of the court. Neither shall the right to travel be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law." In reality, however, while our laws do not restrict the Filipinos' right to travel, the burden of paying taxes does. The travel tax imposed on our countrymen who wish to travel adds to the already high cost of airfare, accommodation and other related travel expenses. This proposed measure, filed by Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel last 19th Congress seeks to abolish the travel tax for all Filipinos leaving the Philippines, regardless of their purpose for travel. This move not only upholds every Filipino's Constitutional right to travel but will mean greater mobility, more opportunities and significantly unburden them of the extra cost when they intend to visit their loved ones, join a pilgrimage, attend a training or simply travel for leisure and holidays abroad.

This lifting of travel tax shall also apply to all nationals of ASEAN member states leaving the country with another ASEAN member state as their final destination. This move is in fulfilment of our commitment to ASEAN integration and regional agreements aimed at removing barriers to the free movement of people, goods and services within the region. Removing the travel tax for our ASEAN neighbors, particularly for their trips within the region, will show our commitment in attaining ASEAN's vision of a "seamlessly connected and people-centered ASEAN community." It is for these reasons that the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. ROBINHOOD PADILLA Senator

... JUL -2 P4:26 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session SENATE S. No. 13 Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla AN ACT ABOLISHING THE TRAVEL TAX ON FILIPINOS AND ON NATIONALS OF ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN) MEMBER STATES TRAVELLING TO OTHER ASEAN MEMBER STATES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Abolishing the Travel Tax. - Travel tax shall no longer be imposed on

the following individuals: a. Filipinos leaving the Philippines; and b. Nationals of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member States leaving the Philippines and travelling to other ASEAN member states.

Sec. 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional,

the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 3. Repealing Clause. - Presidential Decree No. 1183, as amended, all laws,

executive orders, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,