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. ###