BIR Extends Deadline for Filing of the 2019 Income Tax Returns and Submission of Required Attachments
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (“BIR”) issued on 18 March 2020 Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 28, series of 2020 (“RMC No. 28-2020”), amending Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 25, series of 2020 (“RMC No. 25-2020”), extending the deadline for filing the Annual Income Tax Return (“AITR”) for Calendar Year 2019 from 15 April 2020 to 15
Read MoreSupreme Court orders physical closure of courts nationwide
Following the Philippines’ being placed under a state of calamity, the Supreme Court, through Administrative Circular No. 32-2020 (hereafter “A.C. 32-2020”), has ordered the physical closure of all courts nationwide starting 23 March 2020, subject to certain exceptions. To further limit the movement of the Judiciary’s personnel and maintain the general public’s safety, A.C. 32-2020
Read MorePrivate Employer Options and Remedies on Personnel Tenure and Movement Amid Quarantine
The ensuing challenges brought about by the quarantine, enhanced quarantine and/or lockdown have also raised fundamental concerns on the options and remedies of employers regarding the tenure and/or movement of their personnel. An employer may consider options and remedies generally classified as ranging from those that do not involve reduction or adjustment of wage and
Read MoreBIR Issues Guidelines on Filing of 2019 Income Tax Returns and Submission of Required Attachments
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (“BIR”) issued on 17 March 2020 Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 25, series of 2020 (“RMC No. 25-2020”), announcing that it will not extend the deadline for filing the Annual Income Tax Return (“AITR”) for Calendar Year 2019 despite the one-month Enhanced Community Quarantine of the National Capital Region to prevent
Read MoreSupreme Court constitutes Task Force to manage Covid-19
So that the Judiciary may manage the rising cases of Covid-19 infection, the Supreme Court, on 13 March 2020, constituted a Task Force, through Memorandum Order 26-2020, “Creating a Task Force to Address the Rising Cases of Covid-19 Infection” (hereafter “M.O. 26-2020”). The Task Force is composed of Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez as
Read MoreSEC Issues Guidelines on Preventive Measures Against COVID-19 in the Handling of Records
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Memorandum Circular No. 7, Series of 2020, which took effect on 16 March 2020, advising the public of the adoption of the following procedures at the Electronic Records Management Division, ICTD (“ERMD-ICTD”): Request for Plain/Authenticated Copy of SEC Documents Clients may either request for SEC documents online at
Read MoreSEC Issues Guidelines on Attendance and Participation in Meetings through Teleconferencing, Video Conferencing and Other Remote or Electronic Means of Communication
The Securities and Exchange Commission issued Memorandum Circular No. 6, Series of 2020, otherwise known as the “Guidelines on the Attendance and Participation of Directors, Trustees, Stockholders, Members, and Other Persons of Corporations in Regular and Special Meetings through Teleconferencing, Video Conferencing and Other Remote or Electronic Means of Communication”, which took effect on 12
Read MoreSupreme Court constitutes Task Force to manage Covid-19
So that the Judiciary may manage the rising cases of Covid-19 infection, the Supreme Court, on 13 March 2020, constituted a Task Force, through Memorandum Order 26-2020, “Creating a Task Force to Address the Rising Cases of Covid-19 Infection” (hereafter “M.O. 26-2020”). The Task Force is composed of Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez as
Read MoreSupreme Court issues guidelines on reduced court operations
In order to abate the spread of Covid-19 cases across the country, the Supreme Court, on 16 March 2020, issued Administrative Circular No. 31-2020 (hereafter “A.C. 31-2020”), ordering the drastic reduction of court operations from 16 March 2020 to 15 April 2020. Addressed to all litigants, justices, judges and personnel of the judiciary, and
Read MoreDepartment of Labor and Employment Issues Advisories on the Implementation of Flexible Work Arrangement as a Remedial Measure Due to the Ongoing Outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
In view of the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 worldwide and its impact on the business and economy of the Philippines, the Department of Labor and Employment (“DOLE”) issued on 04 March 2020 Labor Advisory No. 09, Series of 2020 (“Labor Advisory No. 09-2020”) to assist and guide the employers and employees in the implementation of
Read MoreIPOPHL issues Memorandum Circular No. 2020-006 suspending work and deadlines to mitigate COVID-19 virus spread
The Philippine Intellectual Property Office issued on 16 March 2020 Memorandum Circular No. 2020-006: (1) suspending work (adopting a work from home arrangement) from 16 March 2020 until 14 April 2020; (2) cancelling all scheduled hearings and seminars; and (3) extending for a period of thirty (30) calendar days the deadline to respond to official
Read MoreDTI Issues Revised Rules of Mediation and Adjudication
The Department of Trade and Industry (“DTI”) issued on 7 February 2020 Department Administrative Order (“DAO”) No 02, Series of 2020, otherwise known as the “Revised Rules of Mediation and Adjudication of Consumer Complaints” (hereafter referred to as the “Revised Rules”),. With the issuance of the Revised Rules, the DTI expects a more efficient, expedient
Read MoreIPO Issues Revised Rules and Regulations on Voluntary Licensing
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (“IPOPHL”) has issued IPOPHL Memorandum Circular No. 2020-002 providing for the Revised Rules and Regulations on Voluntary Licensing (“Revised Rules”). The salient provisions of the Revised Rules, which took effect on 21 February 2020, are as follows: Definition of Technology Transfer Arrangements (“TTA”) The Revised Rules provide that
Read MoreIntellectual Property Code Implementing Rules and Regulations on Inter Partes Proceedings and Voluntary Licensing Amended
IPOPHL Memorandum Circular No. 2019-024, Series of 2019, which amends the Rules and Regulations on Inter Partes Proceedings took effect on 15 February 2020. Meanwhile, IPOPHL Memorandum Circular No. 2020-002, Series of 2019, which amends the Rules and Regulations on Voluntary Licensing of Intellectual Property Rights took effect on 21 February 2020. Copies of the
Read MoreThe Pitfalls of “Do-It-Yourself” Patent Applications
The patent system protects inventors and innovators against the unauthorized use of their inventions. Preparing a patent application, however, is not easy. Some inventors, especially those with limited financial means, would choose to file a patent application by themselves, not knowing the considerable risks they are undertaking. While “do-it-yourself” (DIY) patent applications may seemingly cost
Read MoreCruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia Wins In Asia Business Law Journal’s Philippine Law Firm Awards 2019
Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia (“CMT”) won in five (5) categories in the Asia Business Law Journal’s Philippines Law Firm Awards 2019: Arbitration & Alternative Dispute Resolution Energy, Projects & Infrastructure Intellectual Property Enforcement Intellectual Property Protection Mergers & Acquisitions Only four (4) law firms were awarded per category. The winners were selected based
Read MoreSEC Issues Revised REIT Rules
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has issued Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series of 2020, otherwise known as the “Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9856, Otherwise Known as the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Act of 2009” (hereafter referred to as the “REIT Rules”), which took effect on 23 January 2020,
Read MoreCruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia cited as top-tier firm in Dispute Resolution and Intellectual Property by Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020
Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia (“CMT”) has been recommended as a top-tier firm in 2 practice areas: Dispute Resolution and Intellectual Property. CMT’s Corporate and M&A, immigration, Projects & Energy, and Real Estate and Construction practice areas were also recommended. Meanwhile, 7 lawyers from CMT are listed as leading lawyers in the Legal 500 Asia
Read MoreCMT sponsors 7th Annual U.P. Geology Alumni Association Baguio City Geotour
The University of the Philippines Geology Alumni Association (“UPGAA”), in partnership with Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia, held its 7th annual Baguio City Geotour on 22 November 2019 in conjunction with the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association’s 66th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC). Through the efforts of Mr. Joey Nelson R. Ayson,
Read MoreSEC Issues 2019 Guidelines for Non-Profit Organizations
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has issued Memorandum Circular No. 25, Series of 2019, or the “2019 Guidelines for the Protection of SEC Registered Non-Profit Organizations from Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Abuse (“2019 NPO Guidelines”). The 2019 NPO Guidelines took effect on 28 December 2019 regarding the following matters: Internal Audit System (Chapter
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