Imee Marcos, a group of tobacco farmers on Thursday said they did not benefit from the proceeds of the tobacco excise tax. Antonio Pugyao, secretary general of Alyansa dagiti Mannalon ti Ilocos Norte, disputed Marcos’ statement during the House committee on good government and public accountability during its hearing on the alleged misuse of the excise tax proceeds. “The amount (that) tobacco farmers have infused into local government units are dizzying. But up to now, instead of improving the situation of farmers, (the tax proceeds) did not,” Pugyao said. ADVERTISEMENTOn Wednesday, Marcos denied any wrongdoing in the alleged disbursement of P294.3 million in cash advances taken from the tobacco tax proceeds for the purchase of medicines and motor vehicles, as well as on construction projects.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 01, 2018 13:41 UTC