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Doctrine: A levy of tax is not unconstitutional because it is not intrinsically equal and
uniform in its operation.The uniformity rule does not prohibit classification for purposes of
taxation
Facts:
British American Tobacco filed a Motion for Reconsideration for the Court’s decision
in 2008
Petitioner interposes that the assailed provisions:
(1) violate the equal protection and uniformity of taxation clauses of the Constitution,
(2) contravene Section 19,[1] Article XII of the Constitution on unfair competition, and
(3) infringe the constitutional provisions on regressive and inequitable taxation.
Petitioner further argues that assuming the assailed provisions are constitutional, it
is entitled to a downward reclassification of Lucky Strike from the premium-priced
to the high-priced tax bracket.
Lucky Strike reiterates in its MR that the classification freeze provision violates the
equal protection and uniformity of taxation clauses because older brands are taxed
based on their 1996 net retail prices while new brands are taxed based on their
present day net retail prices.