British American Tobacco back in Philippines

British American Tobacco (BAT) is again active in the Philippine market after pulling out in 2009, this time in league with the Department of Finance (DoF) in pushing for “sin tax” reforms.
BAT general manager James Lafferty said Monday that the company is raring to take on a “monopoly,” referring to PMFTC, which combines local tobacco giants Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing Inc. and Fortune Tobacco.
PMFTC claims to have cornered 90 percent of the domestic market since combining their operations a year ago, but BAT puts the number at 94 percent.
“We support (Cavite) Rep. Joseph Abaya’s bill (pending at the House committee on ways and means) that we think will level the playing field,” Lafferty said, referring to the proposed law that the DoF itself is pushing.
He said another bill, drafted by Ilocos Sur Representative Eric Singson, would not bring meaningful change to the industry as it retains the contentious provision of an amendment to the Tax Code that exacts lower taxes on cigarette brands that were already in the market as of 1996 than those imposed on new entrants.