Programme of Activities ⇒ May 5, 2014 - Thanksgiving Mass by STSRO Family ⇒ May 6, 2014 - Mass for the Departed STSRO Officers & Staff ⇒ May 7, 2014 - Salo - salo ⇒ May 8, 2014 - Grand Celebration 1. Prayer/Invocation by Ms. Angelique M. Patag 2. National Anthem by Ms. Elizabeth F. Agas 3. Senado Hymn by STSRO Officers and Staff 4. Welcome Remarks by the Director General Atty. Rodelio T. Dascil, MNSA 5. Inspirational Message from Sen. Sonny Angara 6. Video Presentation (Through the Years) 7. Awarding of Plaque of Appreciation to the Chairpersons of the Committee on Ways and Means 8. Keynote Address by: 9. Awarding of Plaque of Recognition to the STSRO Officer and Staff who served at least 20 years at STSRO 10. Closing Remarks by the Senate Secretary Atty. Oscar G. Yabes 11. Dinner 12. Picture taking 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Messages • Sen. Franklin M. Drilon 4 (Senate President) • Sen. Ralph G. Recto 5 (Senate President Pro-Tempore) • Sen. Sonny Angara 6 (Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means) • Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile 7 (Senate Minority Leader) • Atty. Oscar G. Yabes 8 (Senate Secretary) • Atty. Rodelio T. Dascil, MNSA 9 (Director General - STSRO) 2. History/Chronicle of STSRO 11 3. Organizational Chart / Structure of STSRO 13 4. Profile/Manual of Operation of Senate Tax Study and Research 14 Office (STSRO) 5. Organizational Set-up of the STSRO 16 6. List of Chairpersons 19 7. Photo of Chairpersons 20 8. Chairpersons’ Activities 21 9. STSRO Officers and Staff Memorabilia 28 10. STSRO Officers and Staff in the 16th Congress 32 11. First day of the 16th Congress 37 12. STSRO Lecture Series 38 13. STSRO Staff Development 39 14. STSRO Team Building 44 15. STSRO Outreach Program 48 16. What they say about STSRO Tax Bits 51 3 M E S S A G E Office of the Senate President I extend my warmest greetings and congratulations to the Senate Tax Study and Research Office (STSRO) on the occasion of its 25th Founding Anniversary on 08 May 2014. I wish to commend the STSRO for delivering efficient service to the Senate of the Philippines. Through the years, this Office has effectively performed its duty of rendering invaluable technical assistance to Senators on tax proposals and other tax-related issues that the Senate needs in drafting legislative bills on taxation. Indeed, the STSRO has fulfilled its mandate with highest distinction, never wavering from its responsibilities not only to the Senate, but to the Filipino taxpayers as well. Our taxation system will always need innovation. But I am confident that there will always be better and more judicious ways available to our country’s leaders to improve the lives of our fellowmen. I trust that in the years to come, the STSRO will continue with its commitment to become an active agent in our quest for inclusive and sustainable economic progress for the country. Mabuhay po kayong lahat! SEN. FRANKLIN M. DRILON Senate President 4 M E S S A G E Office of the Senate President Pro-Tempore I extend my warmest greetings to the men and women of the STSRO on the occasion of its 25th Founding Anniversary. The Congress of the Philippines, in recent years, has passed several tax measures that propelled and sustained economic growth. These achievements should be shared by our hardworking and competent STSRO staff who extended expert technical assistance that enhanced the tax legislative process. The STSRO will be in the forefront of efforts to reform our tax system that will provide government with adequate revenues to implement programs and projects that respond to the deepest yearnings of our people for a better life. It is my hope that as you celebrate this milestone, you will find inspiration to renew your commitment to hard work and excellence as you face the many challenges and opportunities ahead. The STSRO should move on with higher goals and enduring services. On a personal note, I wish to thank you for the many years of dedicated and unrelenting support. I have the sincerest admiration and respect for all of you. Congratulations and Mabuhay! SEN. RALPH G. RECTO Senate President Pro-Tempore 5 M E S S A G E Office of the Chairman, Committee on Ways & Means I offer my heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the Senate Tax Study and Research Office (STSRO) on the celebration of its 25th Founding Anniversary. Your hard work has helped Congress pass well-informed and forward- looking legislation. Without your support, several significant tax measures would not have been enacted to set our government’s fiscal house in order and sustain our nation’s economic growth. Much has been achieved after two and a half decades of committed study and staffwork. Hence, you have much to be proud of on this very important milestone. On a more personal note, please accept my thanks for the support you have all extended to me and my office. Your assistance is something I will always treasure, as a neophyte Senator. With the country on the rise, several reforms are still necessary in key areas, especially our tax system. The STSRO will again play an instrumental role in charting the path the nation should take towards making lives better for more Filipinos and their families. I look forward to working closely with all of you. Again, congratulations to all of you! Mabuhay! SEN. SONNY ANGARA Chairman, Committee on Ways & Means 6 M E S S A G E Office of the Senate Minority Leader I would like to convey my warmest greetings and congratulations to the Senate Tax Study and Research Office (STSRO) on the occasion of your 25th Founding Anniversary on May 8, 2014. A vital component in every policy-making institution is a reliable research backbone that could give a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of various pressing concerns that it is currently confronted with. For 25 years now, STSRO has been a staunch partner of us Senators in drafting and pursuing tax-related measures that uphold the public interest through providing timely technical knowhow and efficient policy research support service. I, too, have seen and witnessed a great deal of your commitment in this enormous task of yours in upholding a high degree of discipline and dedication. With the momentum that you have generated through these years, I hope that you will continue to provide more meaningful publications and assistance to the members of this institution which we revere and serve. I join you all in celebrating this momentous celebration. Happy Silver Anniversary! SEN. JUAN PONCE ENRILE Minority Leader 7 M E S S A G E Office of the Senate Secretary My warmest thoughts and sincerest wishes to the officers and staff of the Senate Tax Study and Research Office (STSRO) led by Director General Rodelio T. Dascil on the celebration of your 25th Founding Anniversary. On this momentous occasion, I would like you to know that your hard work and dedication are very much appreciated. You have been consistent in providing excellent technical support to the Committee on Ways and Means and to the honorable members of the Senate. Your publications are good reference materials not only for the Senate technical staff but also for the members of the academe and independent researchers. As Senate Secretary, I am proud of your accomplishments. However, I encourage you not to rest on your laurels. Remain relentless in pursuing excellence. Be assured of my unwavering support for all your notable endeavors. Let me wish all of you a memorable and meaningful 25th Anniversary celebration. Congratulations and more power. ATTY. OSCAR G. YABES Senate Secretary 8 M E S S A G E Office of the Director General As we commemorate the Twenty-Fifth (25th) Founding Anniversary of the Senate Tax Study and Research Office (STSRO), it is but proper to recognize the significant assistance it has rendered to our legislators in crafting tax laws that abide by the constitutional precept of uniformity, equitability and progressivity. This task of the STSRO could not have been accomplished without the unwavering support of the Senate leadership through the Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, past and present, and the officials and staff of the office. The STSRO serves as the Committee Secretariat. The STSRO was created by virtue of Resolution No. 52 adopted on May 5, 1989. It is the permanent technical arm of the Senate that provides research and technical assistance to the Chairperson and Members of the Committee on Ways and means and the other Members of the Senate on tax proposals. As such, it assesses and monitors the relative merits of the rev- enue-raising system and recommends alternative sources and forms of reve- nue. It also identifies weaknesses and/or irregularities in the system of reve- nue collection and recommends improvement thereon through the con- duct of surveys on tax and other fiscal matters. It likewise undertakes re- search and studies on fiscal and budgetary issues as inputs to tax legislation as well as formulates reform proposals on tax-related issues and thereby assists in the drafting of legislative bills on taxation. Of late, the STSRO has also been involved in the study of fiscal incentives as a tool of the government in attracting foreign direct investments. 9 Records will show that STSRO has been instrumental in the passage of numerous tax bills which have enriched the laws of the Philippine tax system. To cite a few: (1) Republic Act (RA) No. 10351 - Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products; (2) RA 9504 - Income Tax Exemption of Minimum Wage Earners and Increase In the Amount of Personal and Additional Exemption Allowances;