Section 23
SEC. 23. Section 194 of the National Internal Revenue Code is hereby renumbered and amended to read as follows: “SEC. 163. Percentage tax on sales of non-essential articles. – There shall be levied, assessed and collected, once only on every original sale, barter, exchange, or similar transaction for nominal or valuable consideration intended to transfer ownership of, or title to, the articles herein below enumerated a tax equivalent to 50% of the gross value in money of the articles so sold, bartered, exchanged or transferred, such tax to be paid by the manufacturer or producer: “[a] All articles commonly or commercially known as jewelry, whether real or imitation, pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, and imitations thereof; articles made of, or ornamented, mounted or fitted with, precious metals or imitations thereof or ivory [not including surgical and dental instruments, silver-plated wares, frames or mounting for spectacles or eyeglasses, and dental gold or gold alloys and other precious metal used in filling, mounting or fitting of the teeth]; opera glasses, and lorgnettes. The term “precious metals” shall include platinum, gold, silver, and other metals of similar or greater value. The term “imitations thereof” shall include plantings and alloys of such metals. “[b] Perfumes, essences, extracts, toilet waters, cosmetics, hair dressings, hair dyes, hair restoratives, aromatic cachous, toilet powders, except tooth and mouth washes, dentifrice, toothpaste, talcum and medicated toilet powders, hair oils and pomades. “[c] Dice, mahjong sets and playing cards. “[d] Jukeboxes. “[e] Manufactured parts and accessories of automobiles which are principally for ornamentation or embellishment. “[f] Similar or analogous articles, substances or preparations to those enumerated above as determined by the Minister of Finance upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue based on the inherent essentiality of the product. “Any material, part or accessory of the above-mentioned articles shall be taxed under this section.”