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Intensify promotion of Estate Tax Amnesty to benefit more Filipinos — Cayetanos

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Intensify promotion of Estate Tax Amnesty to benefit more Filipinos — Cayetanos

Senator Pia Cayetano and Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano urged government agencies handling the Estate Tax Amnesty program to intensify its promotion so that more Filipinos can benefit from the law once it is enacted.

The call came as the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, chaired by Senator Pia Cayetano, discussed the law  on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, and proposed measures seeking to extend its period of availment.

The senators said the issue frequently arises in their consultations with ordinary Filipinos dealing with family property disputes in their public service television program ‘Cayetano in Action with Boy Abunda’ (CIA with BA) alongside King of Talk Boy Abunda.

“This issue was brought to my attention as a lawyer, not so much as a lawmaker. They (show participants) ask us questions in our show where we often encounter the layers of generations that did not settle the Estate Tax,” Senator Pia said.

“At the end of the day, you have to market this Amnesty that you’re giving to the people so that they will know and avail this because this is how you can save. And we have to emphasize its benefit,” she told the government agency panel.

The Estate Tax Amnesty was first enacted in 2018 and implemented from 2019 to 2020 and later extended until 2022. Senator Pia is the key author and sponsor of the legislation, which she pushed this 20th Congress to help Filipinos settle outstanding tax liabilities affordably.

During the hearing, the committee reviewed data on those who availed themselves of the program and discussed proposals for a second extension. It was revealed that from 2019 to June 2025, the government collected P15.7 billion from approximately 322,000 taxpayers who availed themselves of it.

The measure allows heirs to settle unpaid estate taxes without paying interest, surcharges, and penalties. It also applies the current 6% estate tax rate, which is lower than the rates previously imposed.

However, many Filipinos remain unaware of the law and its benefits. Senator Pia cited common cases discussed in ‘CIA with BA’ in which estate taxes remain unsettled across multiple generations, often leading to family disputes and idle properties.

“Let’s say Mr. X died, and he has a wife and he has kids. So he and his wife have property. They didn’t do anything about it when he died. Then his wife died. Then among kids, one child lived on the property, the others didn’t. Then the one who lived in the property also died. Then his children and the cousins want to get the property. Mga kababayan, iyan ang nagiging problema,” she said.

“They can settle it on their own, but the legal documents, the ownership will never be transferred unless they settle the taxes properly. This becomes the issue kasi nasa pangalan pa ng lolo, eh matagal nang patay si lolo. Away na talaga iyan. That’s why it is important to settle the estate taxes,” she added.

Senator Alan, for his part, urged taxpayers to avail themselves of the Estate Tax Amnesty while emphasizing the importance of paying taxes as it is “the lifeline of government.”

Senator Pia later suspended the hearing, noting that the measure could be sponsored on the Senate floor at any time.

“Mag-avail tayo ng tax amnesty. That’s why we’re having this hearing,” she said.

Himok ng mga Cayetano: Palawakin ang impormasyon tungkol sa Estate Tax Amnesty para mas maraming makinabang na Pilipino

Hinimok nina Senador Pia Cayetano at Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na namamahala sa Estate Tax Amnesty na palawakin ang pagpapalaganap ng impormasyon tungkol sa programa upang mas maraming Pilipino ang makinabang dito kapag naipasa ito bilang batas.

Sa pamumuno ni Senador Pia, tinalakay ng Senate Committee on Ways and Means ang batas nitong Martes, March 10, 2026, at ang mga panukalang gustong palawigin pa ito.

Kadalasang natatalakay ang isyu sa public service television program ng magkapatid na ‘Cayetano in Action with Boy Abunda’ (CIA with BA). Sa mga konsultasyon kasama ang mga kababayan, napag-uusapan dito ang mga problema sa ari-arian. 

“This issue was brought to my attention as a lawyer, not so much as a lawmaker. They (show participants) ask us questions in our show where we often encounter the layers of generations that did not settle the Estate Tax,” wika ni Senador Pia.

“At the end of the day, you have to market this Amnesty that you’re giving to the people so that they will know and avail this because this is how you can save. And we have to emphasize its benefit,” sabi niya sa government agency panel.

Unang ipinasa bilang batas ang Estate Tax Amnesty noong 2018 at ipinatupad mula 2019 hanggang 2020. Pinalawig din ito noong 2022. Mismong si Senador Pia ang pangunahing may-akda at sponsor ng batas, na tinutulak niya ngayong 20th Congress upang tulungan ang mga Pilipino na bayaran ang mga natitirang pananagutan sa buwis.

Sa pagdinig, sinuri ng komite ang data sa mga nakinabang sa programa at tinalakay ang mga panukala para sa pangalawang extension. Nabatid na mula 2019 hanggang June 2025, nakakolekta ang gobyerno ng P15.7 bilyon mula sa humigit kumulang 322,000 taxpayers na nakinabang nito.

Ang panukala ay nagpapahintulot sa mga tagapagmana na bayaran ang mga hindi nabayarang buwis sa ari-arian nang hindi nagbabayad ng interes, mga surcharge, at mga penalty. Inilalapat din nito ang kasalukuyang 6% na rate ng buwis sa ari-arian, na mas mababa kaysa sa mga rate na dating ipinataw.

Ngunit maraming Pilipino ang nananatiling hindi alam ang batas at ang mga benepisyo nito. Binanggit ni Senador Pia ang mga karaniwang kaso na tinalakay sa ‘CIA with BA’ kung saan ang mga buwis sa ari-arian ay nananatiling hindi naaayos ng ilang henerasyon, na kadalasang nauuwi sa hindi pagkakaunawaan sa pamilya at mga napag-iiwanan na pag-aari.

“Let’s say Mr. X died, and he has a wife and he has kids. So he and his wife have property. They didn’t do anything about it when he died. Then his wife died. Then among kids, one child lived on the property, the others didn’t. Then the one who lived in the property also died. Then his children and the cousins want to get the property. Mga kababayan, iyan ang nagiging problema,” sabi ng senador.

“They can settle it on their own, but the legal documents, the ownership will never be transferred unless they settle the taxes properly. This becomes the issue kasi nasa pangalan pa ng lolo, eh matagal nang patay si lolo. Away na talaga iyan. That’s why it is important to settle the estate taxes,” dagdag pa niya.

Udyok naman ni Senador Alan sa lahat na pakinabangan ang Estate Tax Amnesty. Aniya, mahalaga ang pagbabayad ng buwis dahil iyon ay “lifeline of government.”

Sinuspinde ni Senador Pia ang pagdinig sabay sabi na malapit nang talakayin ang panukala sa plenaryo.

“Mag-avail tayo ng tax amnesty. That’s why we’re having this hearing,” sabi ng senador.

Intensify promotion of Estate Tax Amnesty to benefit more Filipinos — Cayetanos

Senator Pia Cayetano and Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano urged government agencies handling the Estate Tax Amnesty program to intensify its promotion so that more Filipinos can benefit from the law once it is enacted.

The call came as the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, chaired by Senator Pia Cayetano, discussed the law  on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, and proposed measures seeking to extend its period of availment.

The senators said the issue frequently arises in their consultations with ordinary Filipinos dealing with family property disputes in their public service television program ‘Cayetano in Action with Boy Abunda’ (CIA with BA) alongside King of Talk Boy Abunda.

“This issue was brought to my attention as a lawyer, not so much as a lawmaker. They (show participants) ask us questions in our show where we often encounter the layers of generations that did not settle the Estate Tax,” Senator Pia said.

“At the end of the day, you have to market this Amnesty that you’re giving to the people so that they will know and avail this because this is how you can save. And we have to emphasize its benefit,” she told the government agency panel.

The Estate Tax Amnesty was first enacted in 2018 and implemented from 2019 to 2020 and later extended until 2022. Senator Pia is the key author and sponsor of the legislation, which she pushed this 20th Congress to help Filipinos settle outstanding tax liabilities affordably.

During the hearing, the committee reviewed data on those who availed themselves of the program and discussed proposals for a second extension. It was revealed that from 2019 to June 2025, the government collected P15.7 billion from approximately 322,000 taxpayers who availed themselves of it.

The measure allows heirs to settle unpaid estate taxes without paying interest, surcharges, and penalties. It also applies the current 6% estate tax rate, which is lower than the rates previously imposed.

However, many Filipinos remain unaware of the law and its benefits. Senator Pia cited common cases discussed in ‘CIA with BA’ in which estate taxes remain unsettled across multiple generations, often leading to family disputes and idle properties.

“Let’s say Mr. X died, and he has a wife and he has kids. So he and his wife have property. They didn’t do anything about it when he died. Then his wife died. Then among kids, one child lived on the property, the others didn’t. Then the one who lived in the property also died. Then his children and the cousins want to get the property. Mga kababayan, iyan ang nagiging problema,” she said.

“They can settle it on their own, but the legal documents, the ownership will never be transferred unless they settle the taxes properly. This becomes the issue kasi nasa pangalan pa ng lolo, eh matagal nang patay si lolo. Away na talaga iyan. That’s why it is important to settle the estate taxes,” she added.

Senator Alan, for his part, urged taxpayers to avail themselves of the Estate Tax Amnesty while emphasizing the importance of paying taxes as it is “the lifeline of government.”

Senator Pia later suspended the hearing, noting that the measure could be sponsored on the Senate floor at any time.

“Mag-avail tayo ng tax amnesty. That’s why we’re having this hearing,” she said.

Himok ng mga Cayetano: Palawakin ang impormasyon tungkol sa Estate Tax Amnesty para mas maraming makinabang na Pilipino

Hinimok nina Senador Pia Cayetano at Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na namamahala sa Estate Tax Amnesty na palawakin ang pagpapalaganap ng impormasyon tungkol sa programa upang mas maraming Pilipino ang makinabang dito kapag naipasa ito bilang batas.

Sa pamumuno ni Senador Pia, tinalakay ng Senate Committee on Ways and Means ang batas nitong Martes, March 10, 2026, at ang mga panukalang gustong palawigin pa ito.

Kadalasang natatalakay ang isyu sa public service television program ng magkapatid na ‘Cayetano in Action with Boy Abunda’ (CIA with BA). Sa mga konsultasyon kasama ang mga kababayan, napag-uusapan dito ang mga problema sa ari-arian. 

“This issue was brought to my attention as a lawyer, not so much as a lawmaker. They (show participants) ask us questions in our show where we often encounter the layers of generations that did not settle the Estate Tax,” wika ni Senador Pia.

“At the end of the day, you have to market this Amnesty that you’re giving to the people so that they will know and avail this because this is how you can save. And we have to emphasize its benefit,” sabi niya sa government agency panel.

Unang ipinasa bilang batas ang Estate Tax Amnesty noong 2018 at ipinatupad mula 2019 hanggang 2020. Pinalawig din ito noong 2022. Mismong si Senador Pia ang pangunahing may-akda at sponsor ng batas, na tinutulak niya ngayong 20th Congress upang tulungan ang mga Pilipino na bayaran ang mga natitirang pananagutan sa buwis.

Sa pagdinig, sinuri ng komite ang data sa mga nakinabang sa programa at tinalakay ang mga panukala para sa pangalawang extension. Nabatid na mula 2019 hanggang June 2025, nakakolekta ang gobyerno ng P15.7 bilyon mula sa humigit kumulang 322,000 taxpayers na nakinabang nito.

Ang panukala ay nagpapahintulot sa mga tagapagmana na bayaran ang mga hindi nabayarang buwis sa ari-arian nang hindi nagbabayad ng interes, mga surcharge, at mga penalty. Inilalapat din nito ang kasalukuyang 6% na rate ng buwis sa ari-arian, na mas mababa kaysa sa mga rate na dating ipinataw.

Ngunit maraming Pilipino ang nananatiling hindi alam ang batas at ang mga benepisyo nito. Binanggit ni Senador Pia ang mga karaniwang kaso na tinalakay sa ‘CIA with BA’ kung saan ang mga buwis sa ari-arian ay nananatiling hindi naaayos ng ilang henerasyon, na kadalasang nauuwi sa hindi pagkakaunawaan sa pamilya at mga napag-iiwanan na pag-aari.

“Let’s say Mr. X died, and he has a wife and he has kids. So he and his wife have property. They didn’t do anything about it when he died. Then his wife died. Then among kids, one child lived on the property, the others didn’t. Then the one who lived in the property also died. Then his children and the cousins want to get the property. Mga kababayan, iyan ang nagiging problema,” sabi ng senador.

“They can settle it on their own, but the legal documents, the ownership will never be transferred unless they settle the taxes properly. This becomes the issue kasi nasa pangalan pa ng lolo, eh matagal nang patay si lolo. Away na talaga iyan. That’s why it is important to settle the estate taxes,” dagdag pa niya.

Udyok naman ni Senador Alan sa lahat na pakinabangan ang Estate Tax Amnesty. Aniya, mahalaga ang pagbabayad ng buwis dahil iyon ay “lifeline of government.”

Sinuspinde ni Senador Pia ang pagdinig sabay sabi na malapit nang talakayin ang panukala sa plenaryo.

“Mag-avail tayo ng tax amnesty. That’s why we’re having this hearing,” sabi ng senador.

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