A worker looks at the Rapu Rapu open pit mine owned by the Australian firm Lafayette mining in Albay province, central Philippines in this 2007 file photo. Reuters
Senators on Monday agreed to double all taxes on mining, as the chamber hammered out its version of tax reform.
They also agreed to raise the tax on coal to P100 per metric ton in 2018, P200 in 2019, and P300 by 2020. The current rate is P10 per metric ton.
Ten senators voted yes, while 3 voted no. Three senators abstained.
Among those who supported the amendment were Senators Joseph Victor Ejercito, Francis Escudero, Franklin Drilon, Risa Hontiveros, Tito Sotto, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Sherwin Gatchalian.
Meanwhile, Senators Richard Gordon and Nancy Binay opposed the amendment.
Senator Sonny Angara, who chairs the Committee on Ways and Means abstained, along with Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and Cynthia Villar.
Senators Bam Aquino, Leila de Lima, Gringo Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Manny Pacquiao, Francis Pangilinan, and Antonio Trillanes IV did not vote, according to Senate records.