Monetization of Leave Credits of Government Officials and Employees

September 27, 2000 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 291 MONETIZATION OF LEAVE CREDITS OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES WHEREAS, the Government fully appreciates the valuable role of government officials and employees in providing vital services to the population at large; aSATHE WHEREAS, in recognition of this vital role, it is the policy of the Government to continuously look for the welfare of government officials and employees; WHEREAS, pursuant to this policy, the Government deems it proper to provide necessary additional funds to these officials and employees to finance the education, health or other emergency expenses of these officials and employees, or any member of their family by allowing them to monetize a portion of their vacation/sick leave credits tax-free pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 31, s. 1991 implementing Joint Civil Service Commission - Department of Budget and Management Circular No. 1, s. 1991 as amended by Joint CSC-DBM Circular No. 2-97, s. of 1997; WHEREAS, it has come to my attention that the Bureau of Internal Revenue had issued various rulings on the taxability of monetized leave credits, Section 2.78.1(A) (7), p. 24 of Revenue Regulations No. 2-98 dated April 17, 1998, being the latest, which rulings are in direct contrast to the CSC intent when the policy on monetization of leave credits tax-free was institutionalized in 1991 as per its Resolution No. 992630 dated December 2, 1999; WHEREAS, said rulings create confusion on the various government bodies whether or not said monetized leave credits are subject to income tax and withholding tax; HAICET WHEREAS, said rulings have discouraged the application for monetization of leave credits by many officials and employees despite urgent/emergency needs; WHEREAS, it is my concern and constitutional duty to be a watchman of this problem and provide solution for the same; NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and direct: SECTION 1. Tax Exemption Status of Monetized Leave Credits . The monetized leave credits of government officials and employees shall continue to be exempted from income tax. aEcTDI SECTION 2. Abrogation of BIR Ruling on Monetized Leave Credits . Hence, pursuant to Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution, I hereby abrogate all previous rulings, including Section 2.78.1(A)(7), p. 27 of Revenue Regulations No. 2-98 dated April 17, 1998 issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue which subjected the monetization of leave credits to income tax, which I have noted to be inconsistent with the provisions of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 8424 the "Tax Reform Act of 1997" as well as the intention on the grant of such benefits. SECTION 3. Implementation in Government Bureaucracy . Accordingly, all heads of departments and agencies and others concerned are enjoined to implement the strict observance of this Order. SECTION 4. Effectivity . This Executive Order shall take effect immediately. TDcHCa DONE in the City of Manila, this 27th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand.