Establishing Accountable AI: Governance Essentials for the Philippines
The Philippines has become one of the largest users of generative Artificial Intelligence(AI) models worldwide. Our country has placed sixth globally, with around 42.4% of Filipino internet users having used ChatGPT in September. As AI adoption accelerates, government attention has increasingly shifted toward the development of regulatory frameworks to address AI-related risks. Recent legislative initiatives […]
RMC No. 109-2025: Clarifications from the BIR Audit Suspension
Recently, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), in cooperation with the Department of Finance (DOF), announced a temporary suspension of the issuance of new Letters of Authority (LOA) and the execution of specific audit operations under RMC 107-2025. In our prior article, we discussed the background, rationale, and general implications. Now, the issuance of RMC […]
Vena Energy Secures Landmark Financing for 300-MW Solar Project in the Philippines
Vena Energy, a part of Singapore’s Vena Group’s renewable energy portfolio, has achieved a significant breakthrough in the Philippines’ transition to clean energy by securing the largest fully international-financed energy project. Namely, the Opus Solar Energy Project, a 300-megawatt (MW) stationary solar facility located in Ilocos Norte, has secured a landmark $210 million financing from […]
Finternet Technology: The New Financial Landscape Taking Shape
As digital finance gradually takes over, an idea is beginning to revolutionize the global commercial community: The Finternet Technology – a unified, interoperable “Financial Internet” designed to address the problems of modern financial systems, all in a seamless network. At the 2025 Singapore Fintech Festival, insights from the conference highlighted the Finternet vision as the […]
President of the Philippines Extends Tax Relief to Power Plants
On December 3, 2025, through Executive Order 106, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. once again extended the tax relief to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) operating under Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreements with the government-owned or controlled corporations. This step by the President was deemed a continuation of the policy reinstituted earlier in the year under Executive Order 83, […]
Understanding Auditing in the Electric Vehicle Industry
The Electric Vehicle (EV) industry is no longer a “futuristic” ideal, rather, it is the current trend. A fast-evolving ecosystem driven by advanced technology, aiming for sustainability and even to accumulate data. As EV adoption increases globally, a critical yet often overlooked function is stepping into place: Auditing. From battery supply chains to carbon credits, […]
Digital Identity & E-Signatures: Regulatory Frameworks & Issuances
In our prior discussion, we explored how Digital Identity Systems and Electronic Signatures are changing the way modern corporate governance operates in the Philippine context, with attendant benefits such as stronger authentication, reduced fraud risk, and optimized approvals and system integration. Building on that foundation, we will now shift to the regulatory frameworks that make […]
Digital Identity & E-Signatures: Moving Towards Paperless Corporate Governance
The pace of technological progress has accelerated, and companies are also shifting towards embracing digitalization. Digital Identity Systems and Electronic Signatures (e-signature) have arisen as vital tools for modern corporate governance. Across the globe, and increasingly in the Philippines, these innovations are redefining how boards of directors, corporators, and regulatory agencies authenticate documents, validate transactions, […]
BIR Temporarily Suspends Issuance of LOA and Audit Operations
Recently, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), along with the Department of Finance (DOF), ordered a temporary suspension regarding the issuance of Letters of Authority and the conduct of audit operations of the BIR, which is a move that immediately caught the attention of businesses, accountants, and tax professionals. The directive was announced jointly by […]
Understanding Your 13th Month Pay
The Christmas season is just around the corner, and Filipino employees now look forward to one of their most-awaited year-end benefits: the 13th-month pay. To many, it is known as a mandatory payout. Yet, some still misunderstand how it works, who is entitled, and how it should be computed. Let’s break down everything that needs […]