Marcos designates new lands for Cavite, Batangas ecozones [Inquirer.Net, July 13, 2026] President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued three proclamations designating additional parcels of land for inclusion in existing ecozones in Cavite and Batangas and creating a new information technology park in Negros Oriental. ‘This is a crime’: Subic LGU criticized for turning Aeta ancestral land into dumpsite [interaksyon, July 13, 2026] Mary Grace Molina, officer-in-charge of the Subic LGU’s Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), also said they had “no idea” that there was a community in the area. Passage of proposed hike in take-home pay pushed [The Manila Times, July 12, 2026] Under Senate Bill (SB) 56, or the proposed Ginhawa Act, the annual income tax exemption threshold would be increased from P250,000 to P400,000, allowing more Filipino workers to keep a larger portion of their earnings. The bill also seeks to raise the ceiling on tax-free bonuses and other benefits from P90,000 to P150,000. DOF chief gives Pax Silica another push [Philippine Daily Inquirer, July 12, 2026] Finance Secretary Frederick Go stepped up his promotion of the United States-initiated artificial intelligence (AI) hub in New Clark City. BOC issues new rules for foreign cable-laying and repair vessels [Inquirer.Net, July 11, 2026] Under the CAO No. No. 02-2026, the ICLRVs, under an authorized submarine cable project, may temporarily enter the country without paying import duties and taxes and be re-exported after completing operations. SSS taps Standard Economics for micro loan program [GMA News Online, July 11, 2026] In a statement issued Friday, the SSS said it signed a memorandum understanding (MOU) and non-disclosure agreement with Standard Economics last July 3, 2026 to develop SSS Loanlite, a proposed digital microloan facility designed to provide members with faster, safer, and more affordable access to short-term financial assistance. BIR wins PH digital initiative of the year award in Singapore [Inquirer.Net, July 11, 2026] The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) received international recognition when its 2026 BIR Interactive Digital Tax Calendar won the Philippines Digital Initiative of the Year – Finance Award at the GovMedia Conference & Awards 2026, held on July 9 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center in Singapore. Korean firm to develop energy systems in Clark [The Manila Times, July 11, 2026] STATE-RUN Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) on Friday said it has partnered with Korea Electric Power Corp. (Kepco) to develop smart energy systems supporting the next phase of New Clark City’s growth as a globally competitive hub for high-value industries and investments. First tranche of NCR wage hike to take effect July 25, 2026 — DOLE [GMA News Online, July 10, 2026] Last week, DOLE announced that around 1.1 million minimum wage earners in Metro Manila are set to receive the P85 daily wage increase in two tranches. Once fully implemented, non-agricultural workers earning P695 per day will receive P780, while agricultural workers’ daily wages will increase to P743 from P685. DMW to appeal to Ombudsman ruling on P1.4B land deal [GMA News Online, July 10, 2026] The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will ask the Office of the Ombudsman to reconsider its ruling dismissing the department’s graft and plunder complaint against former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator Arnell Ignacio and others over a P1.4 billion land deal. Michelin-starred restaurant in Makati accused of unpaid overtime, grueling work hours [interaksayon, July 9, 2026] A video report by Bilyonaryo News Channel (BNC) featured an anonymous man who claimed that working at Toyo Eatery made him feel like a “cog in the machine.” PH ranks 3rd fastest in intangible investment growth—WIPO [Inquirer.Net, July 8, 2026] The Philippines ranked as the world’s third-fastest-growing market for intangible investments in its first appearance in a World Intellectual Property Organization (Wipo) report, making it the only Southeast Asian economy included. More GenZ earners filing taxes online [The Philippine Star, July 7, 2026] Based on its 2026 State of Online Taxation report, Taxumo said Gen Z filers – those born between 1997 and 2012 – increased by 19.6 percent this year, accounting for 26.7 percent of income filings in 2026. Cebu Pacific secures Malaysian court order barring MOVE from selling its tickets [GMA News Online, July 7, 2026] Budget carrier Cebu Pacific has secured a favorable ruling from a Malaysian high court against Move Travel Sdn. Bhd., the operator of AirAsia MOVE, barring the travel platform from selling its flights and using its trademarks without authorization. Home prices north of Metro Manila up by double digits in H1 2026 [GMA News Online, July 7, 2026] Prices of residential projects north of Metro Manila have climbed by double-digits as developers are positioning themselves for future population and employment growth, Leechiu Property Consultants said Tuesday. Filinvest Land hands over Bicutan property to DOTr [Inquirer.Net, July 7, 2026] Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI) has turned over a 6,000-square-meter property in Bicutan to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) paving the way for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project. Canadian BPO firms NQX, TELUS expanding Philippine investments [ABS-CBN News, July 6, 2026] The developments come as the Philippine IT-BPM sector shifts toward high-value, knowledge-intensive work. Industry data shows the sector generated $40 billion in revenues in 2025 and is projected to reach $42 billion in 2026, anchoring the country's position as a premier global digital services hub. | 2. BIR ADDRESSES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO ONE-TIME TRANSACTION (ONETT) | Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) 075-2026, issued on July 8, 2026, addresses frequently asked questions related to the application for One-Time Transaction (ONETT) Computation Sheet (OCS), and Electronic Certificate Authorizing Registration (eCAR) of properties. Specifically, the circular standardizes ONETT processing, clarifies eCAR jurisdiction, reinforces electronic filing requirements under EOPT, specifies documentary and TIN requirements, and provides detailed guidance on real property, stock transfer, donation, and estate transactions. | | [UNTIMELY FILING OF A REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION CAUSES THE TAX ASSESSMENT TO BECOME FINAL, EXECUTORY & DEMANDABLE] [USE OF A NON-ACCREDITED COURIER DID NOT CONSTITUTE VALID FILING OF THE REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION, RESULTING IN THE FINALITY OF THE TAX ASSESSMENT] [FAILURE TO TIMELY CHALLENGE THE FINAL DECISION ON DISPUTED ASSESSMENT (FDDA) RESULTED IN THE FINALITY OF THE TAX ASSESSMENT & BARRED ITS REFUND CLAIM] Petitioner South Cotabato Integrated Port Services, Inc. filed a Petition for Review challenging the BIR deficiency assessments for taxable year 2017 and seeking a refund it paid under protest. The Petitioner received the Final Decision on Disputed Assessment (FDDA) on August 27, 2021, and had until September 27, 2021 to either appeal to the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) or elevate the case to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (CIR) through a Request for Reconsideration. The Petitioner argued that it timely filed its Request for Reconsideration on September 27, 2021, claiming that its liaison officer attempted to personally file the request at the BIR National Office but was turned away due to the early dismissal of government employees. It further asserted that the documents were sent through LBC Express, Inc. (LBC) on the same day. On the other hand, the Respondent, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (CIR), countered that the request was actually received only on September 28, 2021, rendering it late and causing the assessment to become final, executory and demandable. In ruling, the Court agreed with the Respondent, holding that the affidavits supporting the alleged September 27 filing constituted hearsay because the affiants were not presented in court. Likewise, the LBC receipt merely proved that the documents were mailed and did not establish their timely filing or delivery. LBC was not an accredited courier in 2021 and was accredited only on February 13, 2023, pursuant to OCA Circular No. 54-2023. Accordingly, the date of mailing through LBC could not be considered the date of filing. Consequently, the Request for Reconsideration was filed out of time, having been received only on September 28, 2021. As a result, the tax assessment had already become final and executory, and the subsequent Petition could not revive the Petitioner's lost remedy. Thus, the Petition was DISMISSED for lack of jurisdiction. [SOUTH COTABATO INTEGRATED PORT SERVICES, INC. VS COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, CTA CASE NO. 10744, JULY 1, 2026] [DESTRUCTION OF GOODS AFTER REMOVAL DOES NOT ENTITLE THE TAXPAYER TO AN EXCISE TAX REFUND] [FLOOD DAMAGE DOES NOT INVALIDATE THE PRIOR IMPOSITION OF EXCISE TAXES] [REFUND OF EXCISE TAXES REQUIRES TIMELY FILING & PROOF OF ERRONEOUS OR ILLEGAL COLLECTION] Petitioner JT International (Philippines), Inc. filed a Petition for Review seeking refund or issuance of a Tax Credit Certificate (TCC) for erroneously paid excise taxes. The Petitioner argues that it is not guilty of laches because Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 7-2014 does not apply to its case, that the Court validly acquired jurisdiction, that the BIR improperly relied on an inapplicable case in denying its claim, and that it is entitled to a refund or tax credit of the excise taxes paid on goods destroyed by Typhoon Ulysses. On the other hand, the Respondent Commissioner of Internal Revenue (CIR) counters that the Court has no jurisdiction over the case, that a refund of excise taxes is allowed only for erroneous or illegal tax payments, that the Petitioner's claim is merely an attempt to recover losses resulting from its own laches, and that tax refund claims must be strictly construed against the taxpayer and in favor of the government. In ruling, the Court dismissed the Petition for lack of jurisdiction, holding that the Petitioner failed to file its administrative and judicial refund claims within the two-year prescriptive period. RR No. 7-2014 does not require refund claims to be filed through the Internal Revenue Stamp Integrated System (IRSIS), as such claims are governed by Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 17-2018. Nevertheless, the Court found that the Petitioner's claims were filed out of time and, even assuming jurisdiction existed, the refund would still be denied because the excise taxes were neither erroneously nor illegally collected. The destruction of the cigarettes by Typhoon Ulysses did not convert the valid excise tax payments into refundable taxes, emphasizing that excise taxes are due upon removal of the goods from the place of production and that any subsequent loss or damage to the stamped products is borne by the manufacturer. Consequently, the Petition is DISMISSED for lack of jurisdiction. [JT INTERNATIONAL (PHILIPPINES), INC. VS. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, CTA CASE NO. 11028, JUNE 23, 2026] | |
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