Republic Act No. 11999, June 13, 2024, shall be known as the “Bulacan Special Economic Zone and Freeport Act”.

BIR Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 074-2024 provides the guidelines and prescribes the mandatory documentary requirements in the processing and grant of claims for issuance of tax credit or cash refund of erroneously or illegally received or collected taxes under Section 204(C), in relation to Section 229 of the NIRC.

Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 09-2024 expands the coverage of the E-TRACC system to include inland and sea transfers, including barge and domestic vessel movements. The order mandates the use of the Electronic Customs Seal (ECS) for cargo transits and outlines the responsibilities of service providers and terminal facilities in monitoring real time cargo movements and accurate cargo information. It also establishes strict documentation and authorization procedures to ensure compliance and prevent unauthorized cargo handling at transit terminals.

The Bureau of Customs issued Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 06-2024 dated April 15, 2024, which contains provisions on collection of duties and taxes due on goods covered by goods declaration manually processed under the informal entry procedure and the miscellaneous fees payable to the Bureau using the Electronic Payment Portal System (ePay), which shall be monitored by the Collection Division of the Ports, the Revenue Accounting Division (RAD), the Statistical Analysis Division (STAD) and other concerned offices in the Bureau.

Under BIR Revenue Regulations No. 017-2024, all persons who have existing contracts with the government shall secure from an updated tax clearance from the BIR certifying that they have no outstanding tax liabilities and that they have duly filed the latest income and business tax returns and paid the corresponding taxes due thereon. Failure to comply with this requirement entitles the government to suspend the final settlement for any goods or services, including infrastructure projects, delivered by the contractor.

Consistent with the country’s obligations under international treaties or agreements, goods may be obtained from domestic or foreign sources and the procurement thereof shall be open to all eligible suppliers, manufacturers and distributors.

In the above-entitled case, the Supreme Court reiterated the notable amendments on the Public Land Act and the Property Registration Decree, as embodied in RA 11573.

Government agencies are authorized to enter into service contracts with other government agencies, private firms, non-government agencies or individuals for services related or incidental to their respective functions and operations, whether on a part-time or full-time basis. CSC-COA-DBM Joint Circular No. 1, Series of 2017 prescribes the rules and regulations governing contract of service and job order workers in the government.

While Title II, Book IV of the Labor Code on Employees Compensation and State Insurance Fund has already superseded Article 1711 of the Civil Code, heirs of injured or deceased workers still have a choice of remedy between filing a compensation claim under the Labor Code or proceeding against the employer in an action for damages under the Civil Code.