September 24, 2009
Philippines. House retreats from text-tax bill
Just over a week after the Philippine politicians approved plans for a tax on text messages, the measure is to be subjected to an investigation following strong public opposition. The measure had been approved by the House of Representatives. [via Cellular News]
The law is seeking a tax of five centavos (US$0.001) on every text message sent by mobile phone. Its backers estimate that the tax would raise up to US$700 million in revenue for the government.
The committee agreed that more public hearings should be conducted on the controversial measure as some groups complained they were not heard at the earlier meetings.
... The Cellphone Owners and Users of the Philippines (COUP) has separately filed a lawsuit to put a halt on the legislation.
"The class suit is filed in order to prevent temporarily, and later on permanently, the illegal, prohibitive and unconstitutional imposition of an excise tax on SMS and overseas calls." the lawsuit claimed.
Related: - Philippines. SMS is tax goldmine
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