New government takes office June 30

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Following his comfortable election win May 9, Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte will take office June 30.

What does the change mean? Expatriate employees should anticipate that the change in leadership may bring changes to national policies, including immigration laws, and the overall regulatory environment.

Background: The 71-year-old Duterte, former lawyer, prosecutor and mayor of Davao City, won the presidential election on a law-and-order platform, promising to crack down hard on criminals, especially organized drug cartels, and curb social ills such as public smoking and drinking. He also seeks to ban children walking alone at night, reduce unemployment and make government more efficient. On social and family issues, he has supported family planning and contraceptive use as well as gay marriage.

Duterte has appointed his cabinet, including the new head of the Bureau of Immigration, Jaime Morente, a former police chief for the Davao region.

BAL Analysis: While it is too early to tell what types of policy changes might be on the horizon in the immigration area, employers and expatriate workers in the Philippines should be aware that changes may be forthcoming.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in the Philippines. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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