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RR No. 15-2025: Tax implications of private retirement benefit plans

On April 29, Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 15-2025 was issued, revising and clarifying the tax treatment of private retirement benefit plans. This RR updates both employers and employees, highlighting the tax incentives granted to qualified retirement benefit plans and underscoring the need for strict compliance to fully avail of such privileges.

GOVERNING LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Retirement planning has long been regarded as a cornerstone of an employee’s financial security. In acknowledgement of this, the Tax Code, as amended, provides specific tax incentives for private retirement benefit plans. These incentives not only promote employee welfare but also encourage employers to establish and maintain retirement benefit schemes for their workforce.

As the Supreme Court has aptly stated, “Retirement benefits are a form of reward for an employee’s loyalty and service to an employer and are earned under existing laws, collective bargaining agreements (CBA), employment contracts, and company policies.”

RR No. 15-2025 builds upon this legal framework by consolidating, clarifying, and emphasizing the rules governing these plans. Its primary objective is to restate the requirements for tax qualification and to provide certainty on the tax-exempt status of both the retirement benefits received by employees and the income earned by the retirement fund’s investments.

Republic Act (RA) No. 4917 governs the retirement benefits of employers with reasonable private benefit plans. To encourage employers to establish private retirement plans, tax incentives and privileges were granted under this law, implemented by RR No. 1-1968, issued after RA No. 4917 became law on June 17, 1967.

Now, decades later, the Secretary of Finance has issued the Revised Private Retirement Benefit Plan Regulations through RR No. 15-2025, providing an updated regulatory framework aligned with current practices.

SCOPE AND COVERAGE
The regulations apply specifically to private retirement benefit plans that meet the qualifications prescribed by the BIR. To enjoy the tax incentives under RR No. 15-2025, the retirement plan must:

i. be approved by the BIR; and

ii. possess a valid certificate of tax qualification issued by the BIR.

Only those plans satisfying these requirements are deemed Tax-Qualified Plans (TQPs) and therefore eligible for the tax benefits provided under the regulations. The employer must apply with the BIR, through the Legal and Legislative Division at the National Office, for the issuance of the certificate of qualification for tax exemption of the employee retirement benefit plan (Certificate of Qualification) within 30 days from the date of effectivity of the retirement benefit plan. Otherwise, a penalty will be imposed upon the employer under the existing rules and regulations. The issued Certificate of Qualification is valid until revoked by the BIR.

This issuance forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to promote transparency and regulatory clarity, particularly in matters involving tax exemptions.

KEY FEATURES OF RR NO. 15-2025
1. Tax exemption on retirement benefits

Any amount received by an official or employee as a consequence of retirement under a BIR-approved and tax-qualified plan is exempt from income tax. Similarly, such amounts are not subject to withholding tax, allowing retirees full access to their benefits without the burden of taxation.

This exemption is anchored in Section 32(B)(6)(a) of the NIRC, which has long exempted properly constituted retirement benefits from taxation, provided they comply with BIR regulations. RR No. 15-2025 merely reiterates and strengthens this established principle.

2. Tax exemption on trust investment income

In addition to the exemption of retirement benefits, RR No. 15-2025 clarifies that the income earned by the trust fund investments of a tax-qualified retirement plan is also exempt from income tax, pursuant to Section 60(B) of the NIRC. This exemption applies provided that:

• The income is earned by a trust forming part of a pension, stock bonus, or profit-sharing plan;

• The trust fund is for the exclusive benefit of employees; and

• The trust complies with the investment limitations set forth by existing BIR issuances.

This provision ensures that the growth of retirement funds remains intact and undiminished by tax obligations, thereby safeguarding the financial future of employees participating in the plan.

3. Deductibility of employer contributions

The regulation also reaffirms that an employer with a TQP may deduct contributions to such a plan from its gross income pursuant to Section 34(J) of the Tax Code. These contributions may consist of:

• Contributions to cover the Normal Cost, or the pension liability accrued during the taxable year; and

• Contributions in excess of the Normal Cost, provided that such excess contributions (1) have not previously been allowed as a deduction and (2) are amortized in equal parts over 10 consecutive years beginning with the year of contribution.

4. Reinforcement of compliance requirements

A significant feature of RR No. 15-2025 is its clear emphasis on compliance. The regulation categorically states that tax exemptions cannot be availed of without both BIR approval and a valid certificate of tax qualification. This requirement protects against potential abuse of the tax-exempt privilege by ensuring that only legitimate, properly structured, and compliant retirement plans benefit from these incentives.

For employers, this means that internal compliance units and human resource departments must proactively ensure that their retirement plans meet all the documentation and qualification requirements set by the BIR.

BENEFITS FOR STAKEHOLDERS
• For Employees: The regulation guarantees that retirement benefits received from tax-qualified plans remain protected from tax liabilities, allowing retirees to fully enjoy the fruits of their years of service.

• For Employers: RR No. 15-2025 encourages the establishment and maintenance of private retirement plans by ensuring that employer contributions enjoy favorable tax treatment. Such plans also serve as valuable employee benefits, enhancing morale and retention.

• For the government and the BIR: The regulation supports national goals of enhancing employee welfare while simultaneously ensuring proper tax compliance and closing gaps for potential misuse of tax exemptions.

CONCLUSION
RR No. 15-2025 reflects the government’s continuing commitment to protecting retirement savings and promoting regulatory compliance within the private sector. By clearly defining the conditions for tax exemption, it removes ambiguities that could lead to inconsistent application or misunderstanding of the law.

Employers are reminded of their duty to secure both BIR approval and a valid certificate of tax qualification for their retirement plans. Employees, on the other hand, are assured that upon compliance with these conditions, their retirement benefits will remain free from tax obligations.

This regulation represents a significant step by the Department of Finance and the BIR in modernizing and clarifying decades-old provisions. As retirement planning becomes increasingly relevant in light of evolving economic conditions, RR No. 15-2025 stands as a timely and welcome development, reinforcing the importance of sound financial planning supported by fair and consistent tax policy.

Let’s Talk Tax is a weekly newspaper column of P&A Grant Thornton that aims to keep the public informed of various developments in taxation. This article is not intended to be a substitute for competent professional advice.

 

Kim M. Aranas is a director of the Tax Advisory & Compliance Practice Area at the Cebu Office of P&A Grant Thornton, the Philippine member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd.

business.development@ph.gt.com

18 Pinoys caught in Israel and Iran crossfire back home safely — DMW

EMERGENCY personnel worked at an impact site after missiles were launched from Iran to Tel Aviv, Israel on June 16, 2025. — REUTERS/RONEN ZVULUN

THE PHILIPPINE government has facilitated the return of 18 Filipinos on their way to work in Israel and Iran after they were stranded at the Dubai International Airport amid missile strikes between the two warring nations on Sunday.

The government is ready to help overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who wish to come home for safety amid rising tensions in the Middle East, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said in a statement on Monday.

“We stand continually ready to assist and support our OFWs who wish to go home for safety and security,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said in the statement.

The DMW’s Migrant Workers Office in Dubai had also helped the stranded OFWs until they were boarded their flights back to the Philippines. They were also given immediate financial assistance.

“The DMW, through its National Reintegration Center for OFWs, will also assist the OFWs for their upskilling and sustainable reintegration, including livelihood assistance or skill training enhancement for redeployment options,” the agency said.

The DMW and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) have set up a 24/7 help desk for OFWs and their families in the Middle East affected by the conflict between Israel and Iran.

“The Department urges all OFWs in Israel and Iran to remain indoors and stay alert and stay connected with the Philippine Embassy or Migrant Workers Office in their respective host countries,” it said.

The agency also advised OFWs to refrain from spreading or sharing unverified information that could cause unnecessary panic and confusion.

Jerusalem last week launched a surprise attack on Tehran as it targeted Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile facilities and top commanders.

At least four Filipinos living in Israel were hurt after Iran’s retaliatory strike, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said in a statement.

Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro told a news briefing that the government has a contingency plan in case Filipinos in Iran or Israel have to be evacuated.

“The DFA has assured [us] that there is a contingency plan in place if it is necessary to evacuate Filipinos from Iran,” she said. In Israel, a team had been dispatched to assess the condition of Filipino there, she added.

She also said two of the injured Filipinos in Israel have been discharged.

“The President’s directive to the DFA, DMW and OWWA is to provide immediate assistance to our countrymen,” Ms. Castro said. “No one is left behind.”

Meanwhile, Senate President Francis G. Escudero urged agencies to fast-track the repatriation of Filipinos in Israel and Iran.

“The DFA and DMW should go the extra mile in locating and reaching out to Filipinos in Israel and Iran to determine who wants to get out of the two countries now,” he said in a statement.

“It doesn’t matter if they are legally staying or undocumented,” he said. “What is important is that Filipinos who fear for their safety and want to go home are assisted without delay.”

There are more than 1,000 Filipinos living in Iran and more than 30,000 in Israel.

Meanwhile, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez urged the DMW to ensure the safety of Filipinos in Israel and Iran, as fears that the escalating war could trigger a wider Middle Eastern conflict.

The DMW should consider repatriating Filipinos if tensions in the region escalate further and threaten their safety, he said in a statement.

“We expect our frontline agencies to remain vigilant and proactive in ensuring the safety and security of our [compatriots], including possible repatriation plans should the situation worsen,” he said. “We are watching these developments with grave concern.”

“No Filipino should be left behind in a time of crisis,” the Speaker said. “The House of Representatives stands in full solidarity with our OFWs and will work closely with our executive agencies to ensure their welfare.” — Adrian H. Halili and Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

MMDA launches website for NCAP traffic violators

DRIVERS can check online if they have a traffic ticket under the Metro Manila Development Authority's no-contact apprehension policy. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RUSSELL PALMA

THE METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday launched a website that allows drivers to check for traffic violations under the agency’s no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP).

They can input their plate numbers and motor vehicle file numbers to check if they have committed any offenses.

“The inclusion of the motor vehicle file number is an added security and protection so that only the vehicle owners can securely check their violations under NCAP,” MMDA Chairman Romando S. Artes told a news briefing.

Drivers with a ticket may pay their fine at the MMDA office or at its Robinson’s Galleria satellite office, or online. They may also contest their violations.

Mr. Artes said the online platform would include detailed violation information, including photo and video evidence, date and time, type of violation and fines.

The website would soon include real-time SMS (short-message service) and e-mail notifications, he added.

The MMDA also plans to allow drivers with several vehicles or fleets to enroll all their units under a single account, contest violations online and integrate a payment system.

These features would also be available on a future mobile app, he added.

Mr. Artes said the enhancements to the platform would be implemented in the next month or two.

Last month, the MMDA re-enforced the no contact apprehension policy on Metro Manila’s major highways after the Supreme Court partially lifted a temporary restraining order issued in 2022.

The NCAP covers EDSA, C5, Buendia, Roxas Boulevard, Marcos Highway, Katipunan, Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon Avenue and West Avenue.

It monitors and penalizes traffic violations with surveillance cameras and other digital monitoring systems to encourage driver discipline, reduce traffic congestion and minimize corruption.

The MMDA logged more than 5,000 NCAP violations in the first week of its implementation last month, Mr. Artes said. — Adrian H. Halili

Peso weakens to near two-month low as Iran, Israel exchange attacks

BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO sank to a near two-month low against the dollar on Monday as the conflict between Israel and Iran continued to escalate.

The local unit closed at P56.415 per dollar on Monday, weakening by 20.5 centavos from its P56.21 finish on Friday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed. This was the peso’s weakest close in almost two months or since its P56.42 per dollar close on April 28.

The peso opened Monday’s session weaker at P56.25 against the dollar, which was already its intraday best. Its worst showing was at P56.61 versus the greenback.

Dollars exchanged decreased to $1.3 billion from $1.71 billion on Friday.

“The dollar-peso traded higher on continued flight to safety amid worsening Israel-Iran tensions,” a trader said by phone.

The peso depreciated against the dollar on Monday amid higher global crude oil prices due to the worsening Middle East conflict, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

For Tuesday, the trader expects the peso to move between P56.20 and P56.65 per dollar, while Mr. Ricafort sees it ranging from P56.30 to P56.50.

The dollar held its ground in choppy trading on Monday, as investors keenly monitored Israel-Iran fighting for any signs that it could escalate into a broader regional conflict and braced for a week packed with central bank meetings, Reuters reported.

As both Iran and Israel showed no signs of backing off from their attacks, market participants mulled the prospect that Tehran might seek to choke off the Strait of Hormuz — the world’s most important gateway for oil shipping — which could raise broader economic risks from disruptions in the energy-rich Middle East.

Crude prices were up about 1% after closing 7% higher on Friday following Israel’s preemptive strike on Iran.

On Monday, the dollar was flat at 144.08 Japanese yen after rising nearly 0.4% earlier in the session, while the euro was muted at $1.1555. The greenback was also steady against the Swiss franc at 0.811, while an index that measures the dollar against six other currencies dipped 0.1% and was last at 98.11.

Geopolitical tensions were the latest twist for investors and central bank policymakers who have been trying to navigate economic uncertainty triggered by US President Donald J. Trump’s move to reshape the global trade order this year.

Despite the dollar’s broader rise in the past few sessions, analysts were less convinced that the trend could continue until there was more clarity on the tariff front.

The US currency has lost more than 9% in value this year as investors remain nervous over Mr. Trump’s deadline on trade deals due in about three weeks, while agreements with major trade partners including the European Union and Japan are yet to be signed.

Investors now will look for progress in any bilateral meetings with the US on the sidelines of a Group of Seven leaders meeting in Canada.

Among major currencies, the euro has emerged as a favorite this year with gains of about 11%, sparking speculation that it could challenge the US dollar’s dominant status. — Aaron Michael C. Sy with Reuters

PSE index drops on escalating Iran-Israel conflict

The lobby of the Philippine Stock Exchange in Taguig City, Sept. 30, 2020. — REUTERS

PHILIPPINE SHARES declined on Monday as investor sentiment was soured by the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) dropped by 0.57% or 37.01 points to close at 6,358.58, while the broader all shares index fell by 0.44% or 16.86 points to 3,768.45.

“The local market declined by the week’s start as investors dealt with the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran and its possible economic repercussions. So far, the conflict has caused oil prices to surge, in turn posing inflationary risks to the local economy,” Philstocks Financial Inc. Research Manager Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a Viber message.

“The peso’s depreciation also weighed on the local bourse,” Mr. Tantiangco said.

Iranian missiles struck Israel’s Tel Aviv and the port city of Haifa before dawn on Monday, killing at least eight people and destroying homes, prompting Israel’s defense minister to warn that Tehran residents would “pay the price and soon,” Reuters reported.

The dangers of further escalation loomed over a meeting of the Group of Seven leaders in Canada, with US President Donald J. Trump expressing hope on Sunday that a deal could be done but no sign of the fighting abating on a fourth day of war.

Israel began the assault with a surprise attack on Friday that wiped out the top echelon of Iran’s military command and damaged its nuclear sites, and says the campaign will escalate in the coming days.

Iran has vowed to “open the gates of hell” in retaliation.

Brent crude futures were up 0.5% in Asian trade on Monday, having surged late last week.

“Gains were capped by renewed trade uncertainty after President Donald J. Trump signaled that his July 8 tariff deadline could be extended, but warned that it might not be needed if talks wrap up early… Also during trading, Israel launched another missile attack across the city of Tehran, as tensions escalated once again between the two nations,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a Viber message.

Sectoral indices were mixed on Monday. Holding firms declined by 1.19% or 65.50 points to 5,423.66; property went down by 1.18% or 26.92 points to 2,240.33; and financials retreated by 0.5% or 11.98 points to 2,349.82.

Meanwhile, mining and oil went up by 1.57% or 155.89 points to 10,040.84; industrials increased by 0.22% or 20.30 points to 9,003.29; and services rose by 0.08% or 1.93 points to 2,220.04.

“Universal Robina Corp. was the top index gainer, climbing 2.3% to P84.55. Alliance Global Group, Inc. was at the bottom, falling 4.27% to P9.20,” Mr. Tantiangco said.

Value turnover dropped to P8.82 billion on Monday with 1.07 billion shares traded from the P9.87 billion with 1.16 billion issues exchanged on Friday.

Decliners outnumbered advancers, 110 versus 88, while 50 names were unchanged.

Net foreign selling stood at P2.74 billion on Monday, a reversal of the P648.82 million in net buying recorded on Friday. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave with Reuters

Senate president of 20th Congress will schedule next impeachment hearing

VICE-PRESIDENT Sara Duterte-Carpio — OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

THE SENATE could only proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio once she and House of Representatives prosecutors submit their written responses to the impeachment court’s summonses, according to its chief.

At a news briefing on Monday, Senate President Francis G. Escudero noted that before the Senate adjourned last week, it ruled that the Senate president of the incoming 20th Congress would be the one to schedule the next hearing.

“Officially, we have not received anything regarding the orders we gave,” he told reporters. “All responses that I have read were on social media but (we have) not officially received anything from the House or from the [Vice-President].”

Last week, the Senate convened as an impeachment court and ordered the Vice-President to respond to its summons within 15-days. House prosecutors were given five days to reply to her comment within five days.

Meanwhile, Ms. Duterte said her legal team was reviewing the summons issued by the impeachment body last week.

“I have not yet read the summons,” she told a livestreamed news briefing from Davao City. “It is with my lawyers, and they will decide on what to do with it.”

Mr. Escudero said the House does not have a deadline to attest to the validity of the articles of impeachment against Ms. Duterte.

“They can only file it until June 30 because they won’t have the authority to file it after June 30,” he said. “But there is no deadline, so if they don’t file it, they can file that attestation in the 20th Congress.”

Mr. Escudero has been under fire from critics who accuse him of delaying Ms. Duterte’s trial. She was impeached as early as Feb. 5.

Last week, the Senate sitting as an impeachment court sent back the charges to the House to certify that it did not violate the 1987 Constitution when it impeached the Vice-President.

Ms. Duterte said senator-judges should not be urged to recuse themselves from the impeachment proceedings based on their political bias, amid calls for her allies in the Senate including Senators Ronald M. Dela Rosa, Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos and Robinhood Ferdinand “Robin” C. Padilla to inhibit themselves from the trial.

Otherwise, senators against her should also be barred from sitting as judges, she pointed out.

“We can’t have senator-judges inhibited based on bias because their positions are only whether they are for or against [me],” she added.

Ms. Duterte singled out Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel, who had repeatedly pushed for the Senate to convene as an impeachment court. Her media officer did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

The House impeached Ms. Duterte in February, alleging secret fund misuse, unexplained wealth, acts of destabilization and plotting the assassination of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., his family and the Speaker. She has denied any wrongdoing.

The impeachment complaint was filed and signed by more than 200 congressmen, more than one-third vote required by law before it could be sent to the Senate. — Adrian H. Halili

Marcos wants to boost internet access, electricity in public schools

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. visited grade schoolers at the Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School in Manila on Monday, the first day of school. — PHILIPPINE STAR/NOEL B. PABALATE

AS 27 million students returned to classrooms on Monday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. ordered key agencies to boost internet connectivity, electricity, and basic services in public schools, citing poor digital infrastructure nationwide.

During a visit to the Epifanio de los Santos Elementary School in Manila, Mr. Marcos said several government agencies were tapped to ensure a smooth start to the school year 2025-2026.

“I told the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to widen internet coverage among schools,” he told reporters in Filipino, according to a transcript from his office.

As of this date, only 60% of schools in the country have internet access, a figure the President described as very low, but he noted the DICT is already prioritizing providing connectivity to schools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

“The real problem is energy [supply],” he added. “That is why we’re fixing the problem slowly; we’ll see that it will soon become 100%.”

He also ordered the departments of Trade and Transportation to ease the burden of expenses on parents and students, emphasizing the existing student fare rates in public utility vehicles.

The chief executive also instructed the Public Works and Highways department to fast-track repairs of classrooms, toilets, and handwashing stations, as well as to prioritize building new classrooms in former conflict zones and remote areas still lacking basic facilities.

Campus security is also a priority, Mr. Marcos said as he directed the Interior and Local Government department and the Philippine National Police to intensify patrols around school zones.

The government is also installing closed-circuit television cameras in school perimeters and building kitchens in lower-income municipalities to support feeding programs.

Amid a persistent learning crisis, the government fell short of its target to hire 20,000 new teachers for the school year, managing to recruit only 16,000.

It is also seeking 10,000 additional administrative assistants to support public schools as they handle accounting, paperwork, documentation, and other matters.

Monday’s school opening also saw the pilot rollout of a revised K to 12 curriculum, which updated senior high school (SHS) program.

The Education department is implementing the pilot in 889 schools across the country, 12 years after the K to 12 system was institutionalized through Republic Act No. 10533, the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.

The program, which extended the country’s basic education by two years, has faced sustained criticism over the past decade due to inadequate funding, added financial burdens on families, subpar educational outcomes, and questions about whether SHS graduates are job ready.

A January 2025 report, published by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has warned about the dire state of basic literacy in Philippine public schools, with students falling four to five years behind the expected reading proficiency for their grade levels.

EDCOM 2 recommended a “teach-at-the-right-level” approach, tailoring instruction to students’ actual learning needs rather than their age or grade. The commission also called for stronger support from the Department of Education in enforcing remedial and foundational programs. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

PHL open to hosting another missile

US ARMY PACIFIC

THE PHILIPPINE military on Monday welcomed the potential deployment of a second US-made Typhon missile launcher system in the country, saying it would enhance its deterrence posture amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.

Hosting another unit of the advanced missile battery would boost the country’s capability to defend its territory and help keep peace in Southeast Asia, military spokeswoman Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla-Taborlupa said.

“This Typhon missile system is not just a weapon,” she said in Filipino in a news program, aired by state broadcaster People’s Television Network. “It is a symbol of deterrence, not aggression.”

“The deployment of this system contributes to the peace and stability of the region,” she added.

The US Army last year flew the advanced, mid-range capability missile system in the northern Philippines last year for annual Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) drills between Washington and Manila’s forces.

It has since stayed in the Philippines, kept in an undisclosed location. It was last seen in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte in the north, according to a Reuters report in January.

A US official said Washington is willing to deploy another Typhon missile launcher in the country if Manila agrees to it, according to a report by The Philippine Star last week.

The land-based Typhon system can launch a variety of rockets, including short-range SM-6 missiles and Tomahawks that could reach the Chinese mainland. China and Russia have condemned the positioning of the US missile system in the Philippines, accusing Washington of fueling an arms race in the region.

The Philippines and China have repeatedly clashed over the South China Sea, with tensions rooted in Beijing’s sweeping maritime claims based on a U-shaped, 1940s nine-dash line map that overlaps with the exclusive waters of Manila and other Southeast Asian countries.

China has militarized some islands found within the Philippines’ waters, such as Subi and Mischief reefs, despite a 2016 arbitral ruling that favored Manila’s claim in the contested waterbody.

Ms. Taborlupa said the possible deployment of the missile system is not meant to stoke regional tensions, responding to a question about potential backlash from China.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

“We may not be able to control the reactions of others, but we can control our own intentions,” she said. “And our intention is clear — to protect our people and our sovereignty.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Gov’t officials still ‘on probation’

PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR. — PHILIPPINE STAR/NOEL PABALATE

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., on Monday said the entire Philippine bureaucracy remains “on probation” as he continues to evaluate each official following a “bold reset” call last month to overhaul his cabinet members.

In a video posted across his social media pages, the President said he does not like the government’s long-standing habit of “business as usual,” which he blamed for the country’s chronic underperformance across sectors.

“From now on, we will be very conscientious of hitting our targets on time, and that’s the important thing,” he told News5 at One PH anchor Cheryl Cosim in an interview, noting this does not just apply to “very big, legacy projects” but small things as well.

The president said his administration is now conducting a continuous performance review of agencies and officials, clarifying earlier remarks he made about a sweeping “bold reset” in government.

He said the shake-ups have already led to numerous replacements in lower ranks, although these have not been publicly announced. He emphasized that officials who do not deliver would be removed or reassigned, regardless of personal relationships.

This came a month after he publicly called for a “bold reset” of his administration, signaling dissatisfaction with the pace and quality of government service delivery halfway through his six-year term. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Duterte son to lead PDP-Laban

PPP/PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

DAVAO CITY Vice-Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte, former presidential son, is set to take over as acting head of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), as it seeks to exert political influence in the incoming Congress.

In a statement on Monday, the political party said that Senator Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla had stepped down from the presidency “to focus on his duties as legislator in the 20th Congress.”

“I intend to focus my attention on my duties as a senator, especially in preparing for the opening of the 20th Congress,” Mr. Padilla said.

He added that his involvement in the 2025 midterm elections had demanded much of his time and energy, prompting him to step down.

PDP-Laban said that as the party’s executive vice-president, Mr. Duterte will assume the presidency based on the rule of succession in its constitution.

Mr. Duterte is the son of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte who is currently detained in The Hague due to crimes against humanity from his war on drugs campaign. — Adrian H. Halili

Probe of House official’s killing urged

The House of Representatives is seen at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

HOUSE SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday urged authorities to swiftly investigate the killing of a House of Representatives official, calling for prompt action to ensure justice is served.

The Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation should carry out a “thorough, impartial and swift” probe into the killing of House Director Mauricio R. Pulhin, chief of technical staff of the chamber’s ways and means panel, to bring closure to the case, he said in a statement.

“We condemn this brutal act of violence in the strongest possible terms,” he said in a statement.

Mr. Pulhin, 63, was shot dead by two unidentified assailants while attending his daughter’s birthday celebration at a subdivision in Barangay Commonwealth, the Quezon City Police District said in a separate statement.

“As they fled on a motorcycle, they also fired at the subdivision’s security guard before escaping,” it said. “Witnesses are being interviewed, and all leads are actively pursued.”

“All angles must be pursued — including, but not limited to, his professional affiliations — so that the truth may come out and justice may be served,” said Mr. Romualdez. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Elected candidates of MILF take oath

COTABATO CITY — A large group of elected officials from two Central Mindanao provinces, pitted by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) during the May 12 elections, took oath on Monday and pledged support for the National Government’s peace overtures with Southern Moro communities.

The local executives, led by Tucao O. Mastura and Ali A. Midtimbang, the winners in Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur’s gubernatorial elections last month, respectively, were sworn to office by Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulrauf A. Macacua, who is a senior official of the MILF’s United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP).

Mr. Macacua also administered the oath of office for the newly elected congressional representative of Maguindanao del Sur, Esmael G. Mangudadatu, also a UBJP member.

Mr. Mastura, Mr. Midtimbang and Mr. Mangudadatu are scions of well-known noble Maguindanaoan clans and are direct descendants of Moro datus who fought the Spaniards and the Japanese forces during the second world war.

The symbolic oath-taking event was held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in the capitol compound of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in Cotabato City, attended by Brig. Gen. Romeo J. Macapaz of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, representatives from the 1st Marine Brigade and the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad Ali D. Matabalao.

“I’m sure that these new set of provincial officials in these two provinces will nurture the dividends of the Mindanao peace process, aiming to put full diplomatic closure to the Mindanao Moro issue that hounded the country for some five decades,” Mr. Macacua told reporters.

Officials of peace advocacy groups who attended the oath-taking activity had told reporters that with Mr. Mastura and Mr. Midtimbang at the helm of the provincial governments of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, respectively, both provinces will become solid bailiwicks of the MILF-led UBJP. — John Felix M. Unson

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