Corporate Housekeeping in the Philippines: A Guide for Corporate Secretaries
With the recent major updates and monitoring from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), such as increasing transparency standards and digital filing systems like eFAST and HARBOR — companies have no room for missed filings, outdated documents, and careless recordkeeping. Indeed, today’s stricter regulatory landscape makes corporate housekeeping not just an administrative duty; but rather, […]
How to Account for Inventories: A Practical Guide for Businesses
For many businesses and startups, Inventory is one of the crucial assets on the balance sheet — practically because it is the main derivation of sales. Yet, it is also one of the most misunderstood. Inventory is not just about “stock”; it is cash sitting on your shelves or in your stockrooms. If recorded inappropriately, […]
Philippine SEC Updates: What Businesses Should Know in Early 2026
SEC Just Changed the Compliance Landscape The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has released major regulatory updates this first quarter of 2026, and notably — these are not just procedural changes but substantial in form. The changes are pertinent to: Statutory audit requirements Authorized Capital Stock (ACS) increases Beneficial Ownership Disclosures through HARBOR General Information […]
Global Tech Failures: Why Philippine Businesses Must Respond Immediately
Most of the corporate entities today — from banking systems, to logistics platforms, e-commerce stores, and other forms of business organizations, are exposed to the growing risk of global technology failures as they rely on major cloud providers. With the recent service failures in 2025, indeed, global technology providers are not immune to technical disruptions. […]
Impact of the 2026 Minimum Wage Hike on Philippine Businesses
Recent adjustments by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board across the Philippines have affected millions of workers, increasing their daily earnings. Indeed, as these adjustments take effect, most companies look for a specific number: the new daily rate that they will have to implement. For employers, especially for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises — […]
How Long Can an Independent Director Serve? A Guide to the SEC’s New Rules
From Proposal to Policy In our prior article, we noted that the Securities and Exchange Commission is drafting a circular proposing much stricter term limits for independent directors in corporations. At the time, the objective was clear: Promote accountability & integrity Improve board independence Restore corporate oversight As of today, such a proposal is no […]
New International Standard Requires Climate-Related Disclosures from Public-Sector Entities
The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) recently released Sustainability Reporting Standards 1, known as Climate-related Disclosures, to provide governments and public sector entities with guidance on how to report and disclose climate-related risks and opportunities. What Is IPSASB Sustainability Reporting Standard 1 (SRS 1)? The IPSASB SRS 1 standard recognizes that climate change […]
The BIR Audit Reset Starts Now: Key Changes and Reforms
Tax Audits Are Back, But the Rules Have Changed In November 2025, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) suspended the issuance of Letters of Authority (LOA) due to concerns among taxpayers about their integrity, timeliness, and proper enforcement. After 2 months of suspension, the BIR has officially resumed tax audits nationwide, but this is not […]
New Reservoir Seen to Usher Developments for Natural Gas Industry in the Philippines
The Department of Energy Philippines reported the discovery of an estimated 98 billion cubic feet of gas in place, equivalent to about 142 Gigawatt hours of electricity at Malampaya East 1 (MAE-1). The MAE-1 discovery provides additional reserve capacity for power plants that depend on Malampaya. As a domestic energy source, it helps stabilize prices […]
Why Are Internal Controls Important for SMEs
“We’re Just a Small Business – Do We Really Need Internal Controls?” Picture this: Your trusted bookkeeper, who has been with your company for the past few years, has been internally siphoning funds through fake vendor transactions, or imagine you discovered that simple recording errors have compounded for more than a year, eventually leading to […]
How the SEC’s 2026 REIT Rules Can Help Businesses Unlock Capital
A Flexible, Greater REIT Market is Finally Here On January 6, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently released amendments to the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) rules, making it a potential game-changer for businesses in the Philippines to unlock better capital, diversify their assets, and expand faster. With broader eligible assets, better rules […]
How to Minimize Taxes Legally: What Philippine Businesses Must Know
Every business owners want to reduce taxes, why? — primarily because taxes affect the cash flow, plans, and sustainability of operations. In the Philippines, there is a critical distinction between tax planning, tax avoidance, and tax evasion. Understanding these concepts can protect a business from penalties, tax disputes, and other risks while enabling it to […]
Payment to CARS Investors not Prioritized in FY 2026 PH Budget
When President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the 2026 General Appropriations Act (Fiscal Budget), he vetoed more than ₱92.5 billion in unprogrammed appropriations — funds that may be released only when specific conditions are met, such as excess revenues, new revenue sources, or additional borrowings beyond original projections. What Was Included in the Veto While the […]
The True Cost of Non-Compliance: Why Penalties Are More Expensive Than Professional Fees
Some business owners believe that delaying accounting or compliance support saves money. Monthly retainers, consultation fees, and audit costs can feel like avoidable expenses, especially for start-ups and growing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) managing tight cash flow. However, this stance often creates a dangerous blind spot. In reality, non-compliance leads businesses to incur compounding […]
SEC’s New Beneficial Ownership Rules Take Effect in 2026
Following the previous push for stronger transparency, the Securities and Exchange Commission has officially released a memorandum for Beneficial Ownership (BO) Rules effective on January 1, 2026. With the issuance of SEC Memorandum Circular No. 15, series of 2025, the Commission has critically made a shift as to how entities should identify, report, and maintain […]
2025 Year-End Tax Compliance Checklist for Philippine Businesses
As year-end approaches, Philippine taxpayers must prepare for the upcoming series of mandatory filings and compliance requirements due within the first month of the upcoming year. These submissions are required by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Local Government Units (LGUs). To help businesses, employers, and professionals stay on track — here is a […]
Can Cryptocurrencies be Subjected to Taxation?
Nowadays, Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Stablecoins like USDT, are gradually becoming well-known and not just speculative assets anymore in the Philippines, as they have been generating such economic value that even the government aims to regulate them, as the Securities and Exchange Commission have been taking steps to enforce administrative actions by blocking […]
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 […]