
BIR commissioner tenders courtesy resignation
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. on Friday announced he is stepping down from the helm of the state's main tax collection agency after Cabinet-level and secretary-ranked officials tendered their courtesy resignations amid President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s sweeping Cabinet revamp.
READ: Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. also tenders his courtesy resignation, although the President's call was only for Cabinet members and secretary-ranked officials. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/PLlmxHrb94 — Ted Cordero (@Ted_Cordero) May 23, 2025
'I fully support the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for accountability in public service,' Lumagui said, adding that he wholeheartedly believes in Marcos' challenge 'to realign government with people's expectation.'
'This call for accountability shows the commitment of the President to establish a government that serves the people.'
'As such, I am tendering my courtesy resignation as the Commissioner of Internal Revenue in order to give the Chief Executive a free hand in evaluating my performance in pursuit of further improving public service under his Administration,' the BIR chief said.
Lumagui's announcement came on the heels of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin's announcement of the latest changes in the Marcos Cabinet.
Notably, his boss Finance Secretary Ralph Recto along with other members of the economic team —Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan; Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go— were retained by the President.
'Akin pong pinasasalamatan ang ating mahal na Pangulong Bongbong Marcos sa aking pagkakatalaga bilang pinuno ng BIR. Hangad ko at aking ipagdarasal sa Poong Maykapal ang tagumpay ng ating Pangulo na maitaas pa ang antas ng pamumuhay ng lahat ng mga Pilipino,' Lumagui.
(I thank President Bongbong Marcos for appointing me as chief of the BIR. It is my desire and prayer to the Almighty that the President succeeds in elevating the lives of every Filipino.) –NB, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


GMA Network
33 minutes ago
- GMA Network
Senators call for peace, safety of Filipinos amid Israel-Iran conflict
Senator Risa Hontiveros urged Malacañang to avoid complacency and to prepare for the potential impact of armed conflict on millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East. Senators on Monday called on the Philippine government and concerned agencies to ensure the safety of the Filipinos living and working in the Middle East amid the rising tensions in the region. For her part, Senator Risa Hontiveros urged Malacañang to avoid complacency and to prepare for the potential impact of armed conflict on millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East. 'The whole of government must prepare measures to safeguard OFWs in the region. Milyon-milyon ang Pilipinong maapektuhan kung sakaling lumala ang krisis sa Middle East. There is no room for complacency. Ano na nga ba ang kahandaan ng pamahalaan? May plano na nga ba para iligtas ang napakaraming OFW?' Hontiveros asked. (Millions of Filipinos will be affected if the conflict in the Middle East worsens. There is no room for complacency. What are the preparations of the government? Is there a plan to save so many OFWs?) She thus called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to make sure that contingency plans are in place and that there are sufficient resources for mass evacuation, transport, and care of OFWs if needed. Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada urged the DFA and other relevant agencies to continuously reassure Filipinos in the Middle East that the Philippine government is prepared to provide them all necessary assistance and protection. 'Diplomacy should always prioritize tact over aggression, and dialogue must take precedence over hostility. I stand with those who strongly advocate for restraint, open communication, and the de-escalation of the armed conflict between Israel and Iran,' Estrada said in a statement. Senator Joel Villanueva said that Filipinos in the Middle East should coordinate closely with the DFA, DMW, and concerned Philippine embassies to facilitate repatriation. He also called on the agencies to prioritize any requests with urgency and compassion. 'We want our kababayans in Israel and Iran to be safe and secure. Our government agencies, particularly the [DFA] and the [DMW], are responding to repatriation requests from our fellow Filipinos in these areas,' he said. Senator Bong Go also said the DFA and DMW should have 24/7 government assistance to protect overseas Filipinos. 'Dapat importante safe po ang ating mga kababayan na naiipit sa giyera po. Dapat po'y tugunan ito ng gobyerno. Kung kailangang ibalik dito, ibalik,' Go said. 'Pero importante muna ang kanilang kalagayan, safe sila at mayroong peace of mind ang kanilang pamilya.' (Our countrymen who are stuck in the war must be safe. The government should address this. If they have to repatriate, then do so… But their condition is important first, they should be safe and their family should have peace of mind.) US airstrikes Senator-elect Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson, meanwhile, aired concerns following the United States (US) forces' attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran as it may trigger a possible world war. The incoming senator said he trusts that Philippine authorities have evacuation and contingency plans in place for more than two million Filipinos deployed in the Middle East who may be affected by the conflict. 'US President Trump's unprecedentedly dangerous move to 'obliterate' Iran's highly fortified nuclear facilities, if not as factual as he had described it could trigger a world war on a scale nobody has ever witnessed or read about,' Lacson said. Over the weekend, Senate committee on foreign relations chairperson Senator Imee Marcos said that the involvement of the US in the Israel-Iran conflict 'signals a significant escalation of hostilities and elevates the risk of a broader conflict within the region.' She appealed to the international community to prioritize peace, avoid further escalation of the hostilities, and seek every diplomatic channel available to put an end to the crisis. 'I am deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of millions of Filipinos in the region who may be caught in the cross-fire and whose jobs may now be in peril,' Marcos said. 'I am also troubled by the effects of the conflict on our economy as fuel prices continue to surge, affecting not only the transport sector, but also the agricultural, manufacturing, and industrial sectors of the Philippines, among many others,' she added. Senate committee on migrant workers chairperson Senator Raffy Tulfo also encouraged affected Filipinos to evacuate and leave crucial areas to ensure their safety. 'Nakahanda ang buong puwersa ng ating gobyerno upang tumulong sa inyo pabalik ng bansa at makapagsimulang muli, kaya hinihikayat ko po na kayo ay makipag-ugnayan sa ating mga opisyales at ahensiya. Dasal ko rin po ang kaligtasan ninyong lahat, maging ng mga opisyal na tumutulong sa ating mga OFWs,' Tulfo said. (The government is ready to help you return to the country and start over, so I encourage you to contact our officials and agencies. I also pray for the safety of all of you, even the officials who help our OFWs.) Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said Monday that Filipinos in the US should be on the lookout for any eventuality that may occur following the US airstrikes vs Iran. The Philippines has called for de-escalation of tensions and called on concerned parties to pursue diplomacy after the United States struck Iran's nuclear sites over the weekend. The DFA said the country, which has a huge presence of workers in the Middle East, is "greatly concerned" over the developments in the region "in these last few hours." Trump has said the US "obliterated" Iran's key nuclear facilities — Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow — and called the strikes a "spectacular military success." Iran, on the other hand, vowed to retaliate. –NB, GMA Integrated News


GMA Network
4 hours ago
- GMA Network
Sara Duterte on Pride Month 2025: ‘Safeguard LGBT rights'
Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday called on the nation to protect the most vulnerable, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, as the country celebrates this year's Pride Month. Duterte, who previously said she is a member of the LGBT community, highlighted the courage of the members to live truthfully, saying that it challenges the society 'to embrace honesty, authenticity, and inclusion in all that we do.' 'To all Filipinos—our democratic principles demand that we protect our most vulnerable. When we safeguard LGBT rights, we reinforce the foundations upon which all our freedoms rest,' the Vice President said in a video message. She also said that she acknowledges the burdens that many LGBTQ+ members carry, may it be workplace discrimination, access to equitable healthcare, or mental health problems. 'Pride reminds us that our shared humanity has the power to heal these wounds. It stands as living proof that our diversity is not a weakness to overcome, but a wellspring of resilience and creativity,' Duterte added. She also expressed hope that the Philippines will grow to be a country 'where diversity is recognized not as incidental, but essential to our national character.' 'Where human dignity needs no justification, where the courage to face adversity is honored as the highest expression of Filipino resilience,' she said. In 2023, Duterte said she would support legislation that would protect the partnership between members of the LGBTQ+ community. She, however, clarified that she was not particularly pertaining to same-sex marriage, saying she wants the protection of such partnerships under the law. —AOL, GMA Integrated News


GMA Network
7 hours ago
- GMA Network
Over 50 OFWs up for repatriation from Israel amid rising tensions —PH envoy
A missile launched from Iran is intercepted as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, June 21, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File photo As tensions flare once again in Israel following missile strikes and heightened regional hostilities, Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola confirmed that at least 50 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are set for voluntary repatriation, with 26 already successfully escorted out through the Jordanian border. In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB on Monday, Mendiola said that another round of missile alerts forced Filipinos in affected areas to rush into bomb shelters. 'Oo, kalalabas lang namin sa bomb shelter… Just after 3, nagkaroon ng alert na naman,' she said (Yes, we just came out of the bomb shelter… Just after 3 p.m., another alert was issued.) Despite the danger, many Filipinos remain hesitant to return to the Philippines due to economic concerns. 'Isa sa mga naging difficulty namin 'yung nagbabagong-isip sa mga kababayan natin… Kasi 'pag babalik na sila, end of contract na,' she explained. (One of the difficulties we face is the constant change of mind among our nationals… Because returning home means the end of their contracts.) The embassy has been coordinating closely with community leaders to finalize repatriation lists and secure transit visas to Jordan, where OFWs are temporarily hosted before flying home. 'Ang request namin, total 253. Confirmed namin is 50 na susunod i-repatriate,' she said. (We requested a total of 253 for repatriation. We have confirmed 50 who will be the next batch.) Following renewed conflict involving the United States and Iran, the Israeli Home Front Command reimposed strict mobility restrictions, halting work, schools, and public gatherings. Mendiola confirmed that Filipinos, especially caregivers, are heavily affected. Of the 127 OFWs displaced by recent missile strikes, 118 have already been resettled by Israeli authorities, while 32 were recently evacuated from a nursing home hit by collateral damage. 'Buti na lang nakapasok sila sa ground shelter so they're all safe,' Mendiola said. (Thankfully, they were able to take shelter underground and are all safe.) The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) also provided alternative shelter options, especially for those hesitant to stay in government-designated relocation sites. As of the latest count, eight OFWs were reported injured. Seven have since been discharged, while one remains in critical condition after undergoing two operations. Mendiola emphasized that communication lines remain stable in Israel. Families in the Philippines can still contact their loved ones via mobile apps and traditional calls. 'Yung internet at telephone lines, okay. Walang palya,' she said. (The internet and telephone lines are working fine.) She urged the public to monitor the official Facebook page PH in Israel and shared the embassy's hotline numbers: +972-544-661-188 +972-50911-4017 To streamline operations and ensure the safety of repatriates, Mendiola appealed to Filipinos to finalize their decisions. ''Pag nagsabi kayong gusto ninyo, huwag na kayong mag-back out para maisara na 'yung listahan,' she said. (If you say you want to be repatriated, please don't back out so we can finalize the list.) She acknowledged the fear among OFWs, many of whom endure daily missile alerts. 'Siyempre mananalangin ka na sana, you live another day,' she said. (Of course, you just pray you get to live another day.) Iran and Israel are currently at Alert Level 3 following armed hostilities between the two countries. Crisis level 3 or voluntary repatriation phase is imposed by the Philippine government on countries with deteriorating security conditions. The Department of Foreign Affairs advised Filipinos in either country to consider repatriation to avoid getting caught in hostile exchanges between the two Middle Eastern countries. —KG, GMA Integrated News