The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has just until Dec. 26 to conclude discussions with Switzerland-based Sicpa Product Security SA for the firm’s unsolicited proposal to provide tamper proof security stamps on cigarettes and alcohol products in the Philippines, an agency official said. BIR Deputy Commissioner Lilia Guillermo, in a recent briefing with lawmakers on the Sicpa project, said that under the Build-Operate-Transfer Law or RA 7718, ... Jump to full article >>

Congressional leaders yesterday slammed the deal for a stamp tax technology on cigarettes and alcohol products being worked out between the Switzerland-based SICPA Product Security SA (SICPA) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), saying it is heavily in favor of the Swiss proponent. Antique Rep. Exequiel Javier, House ways and means chair, also said the BIR could not implement the SICPA proposal through the build-operate-transfer (BOT) schem ... Jump to full article >>