Business

New GSIS chair, BIR exec take office

Aubrey Rose Inosante - The Philippine Star

June 10, 2026 | 12:00am

B10 business WEDNEDAY | JUNE 10, 2026 THE PHILIPPINE STAR By AUBREY ROSE INOSANTE Finance Secretary Freder- ick Go has sworn in Ricardo Blancaflor as acting chairper- son of the Board of Trustees of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), ac- cording to the Department of Finance (DOF). The long-time public ser- vant is expected to boost fund sustainability, enhance member services and advance its mandate of providing re- sponsive and reliable social insurance benefits to govern- ment employees and retirees, the DOF said in a statement. Blancaflor previously served as director general of the Intellectual Property Of- fice of the Philippines. In a separate Revenue Memorandum Order 12-2026, the Bureau of Internal Rev- enue (BIR) has tapped Deputy Commissioner Marissa Ca- breros to serve as its official spokesperson. Cabreros, who currently heads the Strategic Reforms Group, is tasked to articulate the agency’s policies in a clear, consistent, effective and timely manner.” This role adds to her ex- isting responsibilities in the Strategic Reforms Group. “As spokesperson, she shall be directly and primarily responsible for communicat- ing to the public and to all stakeholders the significant challenges and developments in the BIR,” the memorandum said. Cabreros will represent on behalf of the commissioner re- garding relevant policies and programs, important revenue issuances and decisions of the BIR in public fora, media in- terviews and briefings across television, radio and social media platforms. The document also direct- ed all internal revenue officers and employees to extend “all assistance and support” necessary for Cabreros to perform her new functions. It supersedes prior issu- ances inconsistent with the designation and takes effect immediately. New GSIS chair, BIR exec take office Finance Secretary Frederick Go (left) administers the oath of office of lawyer Ricardo Blancaflor as acting chairperson of the board of trustees of the Government Service Insurance System

MANILA, Philippines — Finance Secretary Frederick Go has sworn in Ricardo Blancaflor as acting chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), according to the Department of Finance (DOF).

The long-time public servant is expected to boost fund sustainability, enhance member services and advance its mandate of providing responsive and reliable social insurance benefits to government employees and retirees, the DOF said in a statement.

Blancaflor previously served as director general of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.

In a separate Revenue Memorandum Order 12-2026, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has tapped Deputy Commissioner Marissa Cabreros to serve as its official spokesperson.

Cabreros, who currently heads the Strategic Reforms Group, is tasked to articulate the agency’s policies in a clear, consistent, effective and timely manner.”

This role adds to her existing responsibilities in the Strategic Reforms Group.

“As spokesperson, she shall be directly and primarily responsible for communicating to the public and to all stakeholders the significant challenges and developments in the BIR,” the memorandum said.

Cabreros will represent on behalf of the commissioner regarding relevant policies and programs, important revenue issuances and decisions of the BIR in public fora, media interviews and briefings across television, radio and social media platforms.

The document also directed all internal revenue officers and employees to extend “all assistance and support” necessary for Cabreros to perform her new functions.

It supersedes prior issuances inconsistent with the designation and takes effect immediately.

Earlier this year, the BIR designated Brianna Kay De Los Santos, officer-in-charge chief of the Legal and Legislative Division, as spokesperson.