REVENUE MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 28-2009 issued on May 15, 2009 circularizes the full text of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)-Tax Management Association of the Philippines, Inc. (TMAP) Memorandum of Agreement and the guidelines and mechanics for the conduct of the “2009 Search for Exemplary Revenue Employees from Luzon”.

     TMAP agrees, among others, to do the following:

1. 1. 1. 1. Undertake, in coordination with the BIR, and provide the financial rewards for the project which will be known as the “2009 Search for Exemplary Revenue Employees from Luzon” (or 2009 BIR Search).
         2. Endeavor to include in the 2009 BIR Search revenue employees from Revenue Regions (RRs) and Revenue District Offices (RDOs) included therein coming from RR Nos. 1 (Calasiao, Pangasinan), 2 (Cordillera Administrative Region), 3 (Tuguegarao,Cagayan), 4 (San Fernando, Pampanga), 9 (San Pablo City) and 10 (Legazpi City).
         3. Prepare the guidelines and mechanics for the selection of
         4. Ensure that the 2009 BIR Search will be given as much publicity as possible through coordination with media and dissemination of posters at cost to TMAP to be displayed within the premises of the RRs and RDOs covered by the BIR
         5. Participate in the selection process as non- voting members of the BIR Preliminary Board of Judges (PBJ), which will eventually choose the nominees who will comprise the short list to be endorsed and forwarded to the TMAP Final Board of Judges (FBJ).
         6. Endeavor to select individuals from both the government and private sectors with proven integrity and probity to comprise the FBJ who will adjudge the best nominee who is most deserving of the award.

     BIR agrees to do the following:

1. 1. 1. 1. Coordinate with TMAP in undertaking the 2009 BIR Search by encouraging its employees to submit nominations and provide invaluable support in collecting, gathering and putting together all relevant documents pertaining to the nominees, as may be required by the 2009 BIR Search.
         2. Allow TMAP to publish announcements regarding the 2009 BIR Search within the premises of the National Office, RRs and identified RDOs that the nominees represent and assist TMAP in publishing and disseminating information in the course of the 2009 BIR Search.
         3. Constitute the PBJ which shall consist of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (CIR) or his authorized representative, the Deputy Commissioners for Operations and Resource Management Groups or their authorized representatives and non- voting TMAP representatives as abovementioned, as well as other revenue officials as the CIR may deem appropriate to carry out the selection of nominees which will be endorsed to the FBJ.
         4. Validate the professional circumstances of the nominees and assist in verifying information pertaining to the personal and professional circumstances of the nominees received in the course of the 2009 BIR Search.
         5. Receive information, comments, commendations and objections on the employees nominated for the 2009 BIR Search and ensure that the same forms part of the relevant documents for the evaluation of both the Preliminary and Final Board of Judges.

     The qualifications for the 2009 BIR Search are the following:

1. 1. 1. 1. The nominee must be an employee of the BIR for at least 7 years at the time of
         2. The nominee must have been rated Very Satisfactory under the PMS for the immediately preceding 6 consecutive semi-annual performance rating periods prior to their nomination.
         3. The nominee must not have been charged under a criminal information pending in court or must not have any pending criminal and/or administrative case/charge as certified by the Internal Security Division of the BIR and the Office of the Ombudsman as of the date of the launch of the 2009 BIR Search (or on April 27, 2009).
         4. The nominee must not have been adjudged guilty/liable in any administrative or criminal case.

     The criteria for nomination are the following:

1. 1. 1. 1. Outstanding Performance/Contribution (5 points)
         2. Behavioral Performance (3 points)
         3. Reliability and Consistency of Performance (2 points)
         4. Other similar circumstances or considerations in favor of the nominee

   The head of the office or supervisor of the employee shall nominate the revenue officer/employee. At the regional level, the nomination must be endorsed by the Division Chief or the Revenue District Officer of the office where the employee is assigned and by the Regional Director who has jurisdiction over the regional office where the division or district office belongs. Any other person or organization, except TMAP members and their representatives, may course their nomination only through the Division Chief, Revenue District Officer or Regional Director.
    The revenue regions and district offices in Luzon are entitled to nominate 1 nominee per functional group (i.e. 1 nominee each for Document Processing, Collection, Assessment and Support). The Regional Director shall then select the 4 official nominees of the region. Each revenue region shall only have a maximum of 4 nominees.
     Once official nominees from each region have been selected (1 per functional group), their nomination forms and supporting documents shall be forwarded to the BIR National Office, particularly, the Deputy Commissioner, Resource Management Group, through the Assistant Commissioner, Human Resource Development Service.

     The timeline of activities for the 2009 BIR Search is as follows: