By: Atty. Raida Argeli G. Grefiel on November 28,2024 As a general principle, our laws are prospective and forward-looking in nature. As expressed in Article 4 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, laws shall have no retroactive effect, unless the contrary is provided. In other words, the law shall…

By: Atty. Euney Marie Mata-Perez on November 21, 2024 Aside from amending the provisions in our National Internal Revenue Code (“Tax Code”) on value-added tax zero rating and incentives, as discussed in our article published on November 14, 2024, the Republic Act No. Act (RA) No. 12066 (or CREATE More)…

By: Atty. Euney Marie Mata-Perez on November 14,2024 On November 8, 2024, the much awaited CREATE More Act or Republic Act (RA) No. 12066 was signed into law and published in the Official Gazette on the same date. This Act is touted to boost our country’s global competitiveness. CREATE More…

By: Atty. Elaisha Nelle C. Espinosa on November 11,2024. Local government units (LGUs) enjoy the constitutional mandate to levy taxes, fees, and charges subject to the limitations set by the Philippine Congress. (Section 5, Article 10, 1987 Constitution).  Any dispute regarding the decisions of LGUs with respect to the imposition of…

By: Atty. Euney Marie Mata-Perez on October 31,2024 For this article, we examine the benefits granted under existing laws and regulations to senior citizens in the Philippines. In recognition of the need to provide special care and privileges to senior citizens, Republic Act (RA) No. 9994, also known as the…

By: Atty. Joshua Rizlan A. Simbillo on October 24,2024 Graft and corruption have long been a thorn in the side of Philippine governance, creating a significant barrier to national development and eroding public trust in government institutions. Yet, we have a broad legal framework to address corrupt practices. Section 1…

By: Atty. Euney Marie J. Mata-Perez on October 17,2024 One of the great benefits of a corporation is its having a legal personality which is separate and distinct from its owners or stockholders. This attribute springs from the very basic nature of a corporation as "an artificial being created by…

By: Atty. Euney Marie Mata-Perez on October 10,2024 On October 3, 2024, Republic Act (RA) No. 12023 was signed into law, making effective the imposition of value-added tax ("VAT") on gross sales derived from the sale or exchange of digital services, and thereby amending certain provisions of the National Internal…

By: Atty. Rey Christian M. Guintibano on October 3,2024 Under Philippine law, the transfer of public funds or property for purposes other than what was originally intended by law or ordinance is a crime. Technical Malversation under Article 220 of the Revised Penal Code (“RPC”) penalizes the act of diverting…

By: Atty. Joshua Rizlan A. Simbillo on September 25,2024 Taxpayers have the standing to institute a taxpayer’s suit when public resources are at risk of being misused. A taxpayer’s suit is where an individual taxpayer seeks to prevent the illegal disbursement of public funds.  It is an effective tool for…

By: Elaisha Nelle C. Espinosa on September 19,2024 Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the 21st century’s most remarkable innovations. In recent years, AI has proven that it can revolutionize labor, streamline business conduct, and advance the global economy. If left unregulated, however, its potential for abuses could outweigh its…

By: Raida Argeli Grefiel on September 5,2024 The 1987 Constitution empowers local government units (LGUs) to create their own revenues, as well as to levy taxes, fees, and charges, subject to the guidelines and limitations set forth in the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC). The LGC defines the extent…

By: Atty. Euney Marie J. Mata-Perez on August 29,2024 We are very proud of Carlos Yulo, our Olympic gold medalist. He did not only win two Olympic gold medals, giving glory to our country, but his performance at the Olympics was also hailed by the Olympic Committee itself as “as…

By: Atty. Rey Christian M. Guintibano on August 22,2024 Last August 12, 2024, the National Privacy Commission (“NPC”) issued Circular No. 2024-02, an updated set of guidelines governing the use of Closed-Circuit Television (“CCTV”) systems. The Circular outlines the proper handling and processing of personal data captured by CCTV cameras…

By: Atty. Aziza Hannah A. Bacay on August 16,2024 The cornerstone of a fair tax system is due process. Taxpayers have the fundamental right to be informed in writing of the factual and legal basis for any tax assessment. Thus, proper service of assessment-related notices—including the Notice of Informal Conference,…

By: Atty. Euney Marie J. Mata-Perez on July 25,2024 Last July 11, 2024, I joined as one of the panelists in the 11th PICPA-Cebu Summit where I discussed the pending PIFITA or the Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act Bill (House Bill No. 4339) which seeks to reform the…

By: Atty. Raida Argelli G. Grefiel on July 18,2024 Our National Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the “Tax Code”) empowers the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (“CIR”) to conduct an assessment of the taxes paid by a taxpayer through the CIR's duly authorized representative armed with a validly issued Letter of…

By: Atty. Euney Marie J. Mata-Perez on July 11,2024 On 13 June 2024, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed into law Republic Act No. 12001, the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RP-VAR Act), which will change significantly the landscape of our real property valuation (and consequently, their taxation). The…