Francisco Ed. Lim Chairperson
Javey Paul D. Francisco Commissioner
Karlo S. Bello Commissioner
McJill Bryant T. Fernandez Commissioner
Rogelio V. Quevedo Commissioner
Keith Richard D. Mariano
Regino Vincent D. Moreno
Arra B. Francia
Tiara Jaya Y. Jabutay
Vann Marlo M. Villegas
Anne Mineyca Lenoa-Alvarez
Alexis Mari C. Dinola
Patrick Miguel Nicolas L. Bagtas
Ela R. Xavier-Padilla Director External Affairs Department
As we close the fourth quarter of 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission reflects on a year marked by both significant challenges and steadfast progress. While the last three months of the year signaled the holiday season for Filipinos, the Commission remained hard at work to institute key reforms that could strengthen the foundation of the corporate sector to welcome another groundbreaking year ahead.
The Commission advanced several initiatives aimed at improving the ease of doing business and enhancing regulatory efficiency in 2025. We continued to streamline corporate registration and reportorial requirements, expanded the use of digital platforms, and improved turnaround times for key services. These efforts supported entrepreneurs and corporations alike, particularly small and medium enterprises seeking to formalize and grow their operations.
At the same time, the Commission sustained its capital market development initiatives to promote broader participation and deepen investor confidence. Read more about these initiatives on page 1.
Enforcement and investor protection remained central to our work in the final quarter. The Commission intensified actions against fraudulent activities and unfair debt collection practices. In support of the government’s efforts to hold those involved in the flood control corruption scandal accountable, we revoked the corporate registrations of companies linked to the fiasco. We also placed the spotlight on market integrity with the revocation of the accreditation of a property appraiser that failed to follow international standards. To read more about this, go to page 9.
The fourth quarter also underscored the role of our Extension Offices (EOs) in bringing our services closer to the public. As we rolled out new programs, our EOs worked hard to disseminate these programs to ensure that their respective stakeholders were duly apprised of the latest developments in the Commission. Read all about their efforts on page 11.
As we conclude 2025 and look ahead to our 90th year, the Commission’s focus is crystal clear. We will continue pursuing reforms that encourage entrepreneurship, support capital formation, and foster a transparent and accountable business environment. With the continued cooperation of our stakeholders, we are confident that the SEC will play a vital role in building a stronger, more inclusive economy in the years ahead.
FRANCIS LIM SEC Chairperson
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) officially assumed its chairship of the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum, rolled out a free online simulation platform for company registration, and partnered with TikTok to combat investment scams during the fourth quarter of 2025. Read more about the latest updates and milestones of the SEC by visiting bit.ly/SECNews2025 or scanning the QR code.
SEC officially assumes 2026 ACMF chairship, upholds ASEAN market priorities
The SEC Philippines has officially assumed the chairship of the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum, following the handover ceremony on November 5 in Kuala Lumpur. Taking the helm from the Securities Commission (SC) Malaysia, the SEC Philippines continues ASEAN’s shared commitment to regional integration, inclusion, sustainability, and cooperative enforcement, in line with the Philippines’ ASEAN chairship for 2026. The SEC Philippines will prioritize strengthening integrity, advancing financing for sustainable activities, and deepening coordination on supervision, enforcement and corporate governance, among others.
SEC gets another global recognition for innovative registration system
The Corporate Registers Forum (CRF) once again recognized the Philippines for having one of the best company registration systems in the world during the CRF 2025 Innovation Awards held in Tunisia from October 7 to 10. The SEC was cited for the SEC Zuper Easy Registration Online (ZERO) System, an application that removes the need for wet signatures and notarization, as well as the submission of hard copies of documents required for registration.
Supreme Court upholds SEC authority to accredit external auditors
In a Resolution dated October 14, the Supreme Court has affirmed with finality the authority of the SEC to accredit certified public accountants (CPAs) who may serve as external auditors of covered corporations, such as those issuing registered securities and holding secondary licenses. The resolution resolves a petition from 1Accountants Party-List, Inc., questioning the Commission’s authority to accredit CPAs. The high court held that the SEC, as the corporate regulator, is authorized to supervise the activities of entities it has jurisdiction over, which include juridical and natural persons, such as the external auditors, and implement the accreditation requirement.
The SEC launched an online platform that allows entrepreneurs to simulate the company registration process, through the newly revamped SEC Academy platform. The portal is designed to guide users in registering a company through the Electronic Simplified Processing of Application for Registration of Company (eSPARC) and in creating an account under the Electronic SEC Universal Registration Environment (eSECURE) to access all SEC digital services. Through the simulation, entrepreneurs can explore each step of the registration process, understand the system requirements, and practice filling out the required information before applying.
The SEC encouraged corporations engaged in agribusiness to tap the capital market to support their financing needs and to avail of the Commission’s program that streamlines the process for securities registration for the industry. In a conference held on September 24 titled “SEC FARMS: Sowing the Seeds of Growth through the Capital Market,” the SEC introduced the guidelines for Securing & Expanding Capital for Farms & Agri-business Related Modernization Schemes (SEC FARMS), the Commission’s program to ease the registration process for the securities of agri-businesses in a bid to boost investor participation and drive growth in the industry.
The SEC launched the revamped SEC Academy which will provide a more accessible and userfriendly educational platform to help guide Filipinos in their financial journey, as it pushes to include financial literacy in the basic education curriculum. The SEC Academy provides free and easy access to online courses designed to equip users with the knowledge on financial management, starting a business, smart investments, and detecting investment scams and other predatory schemes.
TikTok, SEC partner to raise awareness on financial and investment scam
TikTok, the world’s leading short-form video platform, has joined forces with the SEC Philippines to promote financial literacy and raise public awareness on investment scams and fraud prevention as part of #ThinkTwice, the platform’s flagship digital literacy campaign.
As part of the collaboration, TikTok and the SEC will co-create a series of #ThinkTwice videos designed to educate Filipinos on common financial and investment scams, show how to verify information sources, and provide practical tips to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
The SEC emerged as the country’s “Paperless Champion” for saving nearly 217 million pages of paper through its online platforms for company registration and reports submission.
In a ceremony held on November 11 in Quezon City, the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) named the Commission the winner of the Productivity Challenge 2025 following the implementation of the SEC Electronic Filing and Submission Tool (eFAST), which helped save over 216.6 million pages of paper and generated around P92.6 million for companies, and the SEC ZERO, which allowed businesses to save around 104,000 pages, and generate around P45,000 in savings.
The SEC is encouraging private hospital entrepreneurs and administrators to enter the capital market to raise funds for their expansion needs, through the streamlined securities registration process under the Commission’s Securing and Expanding Capital for Hospital Entrepreneurs (SEC HOPES) program, in a conference titled, “SEC HOPES: Streamlining Capital Market Access for the Philippine Healthcare Industry” held November 25. The Commission has registered 18 private hospitals under SEC HOPES as of December 2025, with total registered shares of P19.95 billion and a total issue value of P17.05 billion.
The SEC launched its upgraded online ticketing system, iMessage, that now covers all services and allows for the real-time tracking of the status of inquiries or complaints, making transactions with the Commission easier. iMessage centralizes the online submission of queries and complaints to the SEC, providing a unified workflow for the efficient assignment, monitoring and resolution of inquiries, service requests, as well as complaints. It enables users to track the status of their tickets in real-time and features an option that allows them to directly contact the divisions or departments where their requests are pending.
The SEC was named the winner for the Award for Wellbeing and runner-up for the Award for Diversity by the Investors in People (IiP) Philippines during the IiP Awards 2025 in a ceremony held at The SEC Headquarters on September 19, which serve as proof of its commitment to investing in its workforce to achieve excellence in public service.
SEC successfully holds 12th Corporate Governance Forum, highlights collective action for sustainability
The SEC emphasized the need for collective action to strengthen corporate governance standards and promote sustainability-oriented decisionmaking, as it concluded the 12th Corporate Governance Forum on November 21. Carrying the theme “Sail, Steer, Sustain: Cross-sectoral Collaboration Through a Sustainable Collective Action,” the forum brought together leaders from the government, business sector, development organizations, the academe, and civil society. In his opening remarks, SEC Commissioner Rogelio V. Quevedo emphasized the crucial role of the private sector in restoring and strengthening trust amid ongoing national conversations on corruption and misuse of public funds.
Amid the challenges that 2025 brought, the determination to deliver and be a beacon of public service was unwavering for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Building on the momentum of its policies and programs over the past few years, the SEC continued to push initiatives that made doing business in the country easier, deepened the capital market, fostered sustainability, and reinforced investor protection.
“In retrospect, 2025 was a year challenging for both the SEC and the business sector. Corruption issues that plagued the government had shaken public trust and investors’ confidence in our systems,” SEC Chairperson Francis Lim said.
“Regardless, the Commission confronted these challenges headstrong through reforms tailored to meet market needs to foster a more conducive environment for business growth. In our 90th year, we will remain relentless in pursuing initiatives that would encourage more entrepreneurs to enter the corporate sector and tap the capital markets for their expansion,” he added.
In 2025, the SEC implemented transaction discounts and leveraged digitalization to streamline processes, while ensuring that physical and personal assistance is within reach to improve the ease of doing business in the country.
The Commission made company registration fully online with the mandatory use of SEC Zuper Easy Registration Online (ZERO), a platform that digitally authenticates documents and removes the need for notarization and wet signatures.
More companies were allowed to incorporate in under a day as the SEC expanded the list of industries that may incorporate through One Day Submission and Electronic Registration of Companies, or OneSEC, to 81 from 33 industries.
Under the leadership of Chairperson Lim, the SEC has adopted strict timelines in the processing of applications with the SEC. The Commission also provided micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) a 20 percent discount on registration fees, and up to 50 percent discount on the filing fee for firms that aim to enter the capital market. It further reduced by half the prescribed fee and charges for corporate documents.
These policies enabled the SEC to register 49,283 new companies in 2025, with total capital of P118.56 billion. Of this, 34,851 are stock corporations, 2,793 are partnerships, and 11,639 are non-stock corporations. The stock corporations are composed of 34,699 domestic firms and 152 foreign businesses, while the non-stock firms consist of 11,633 domestic corporations, and six foreign firms.
Of the newly registered companies, 35,589 are MSMEs, composed of 32,773 domestic stock firms,
91 foreign stock companies, and 2,725 partnerships.
The Commission also granted around P34.5 million in registration and filing fees discounts to 15,425 MSMEs from the implementation of Memorandum Circular No. 8, Series of 2025, in July to December 2025.
Capital market development has been one of the top priorities of the Commission, in line with the marching order of President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Jr., following the implementation of the Republic Act No. 12214 or the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA).
To streamline the processing of securities applications, the Commission issued guidelines on the 45-day preview process for registration statements and provided a 30 percent discount on the assessed registration fees of all registration statement applications until year-end.
The SEC also enhanced the shelf registration program by extending its validity from three to five years, ordered the declassification of common shares, and provided guidelines on exempt transactions under Section 10 of Republic Act No. 8799, of the Securities Regulation Code.
Data from the Philippine Stock Exchange showed that market capitalization of publicly listed companies reached P18.73 trillion, while market capital raised reached P144.13 billion in 2025.
Last year, the Commission approved notable registration of securities, including the P34.3 billion IPO of Maynilad Water Services, Inc., the second largest initial listing in the country’s stock market history.
It also approved the rental pool program of Damosa Land, Inc., making it the first securities issuer to register under the streamlined guidelines on Securing and Expanding Capital in Real Estate Non-Traditional Securities, or SEC RENT.
In support of emerging technologies, the SEC developed programs and policies that would regulate platforms that offer the public opportunities to enter the capital market, while ensuring investor protection.
Last year, the SEC approved the applications of three companies to enter the SEC Strategic Sandbox (StratBox), a regulatory sandbox that will enable firms to pilot their innovative products in a controlled setting. This includes information technology firm Pluang, GStocks Global of mobile payments giant GCash, and fintech company Blockshoals Technologies, Inc.
The SEC likewise issued rules to regulate the operations of crypto-asset service providers, as it sought to promote innovative securities, while upholding market integrity.
The SEC also continues to advocate for sustainable practices in the corporate sector.
Last year saw the launch of the Guidelines on Philippine Green Equity, a label given to companies that generate a significant portion of their revenues from green activities and plan to go public, allowing them to distinguish themselves from other issuers and attract investors seeking to support sustainable projects. Maynilad was the first company to be granted the Green Equity label.
To align with global practices, the SEC adopted the Philippine Financial Reporting Standards on
Sustainability Disclosures, and required both PLCs and large non-listed companies to submit such disclosures.
In June, the Commission, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme launched the Small and Medium Industries and large Enterprises Embracing Sustainability Roadshow in Tagaytay City to empower small businesses to embed sustainability in their operations.
The SEC also remained unwavering in pursuing its mandate to ensure that Filipinos are protected and equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to combat illicit investment schemes.
Last year, the Commission secured the conviction of 15 individuals and lodged complaints against four entities with the Department of Justice.
The Commission is also actively going after financing and lending companies engaged in illegal and abusive collection practices, as it has revoked the primary registration and certificate of authority of 426 entities, and cancelled the certificate of authority of 427 financing and lending firms from 2024 to 2025.
Beyond these enforcement actions, the SEC launched activities aimed at raising the level of financial literacy to ensure Filipinos avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
For the sixth annual celebration of Investor Protection Week (IPW) in November, the SEC conducted a week-long nationwide celebration with the theme, “InvestED Tayo sa Kinabukasang Sigurado,” a wordplay on the words invested and investor education, which reminds the public to be invested in securing their financial future.
Coinciding with the IPW celebration, the SEC launched the upgraded SEC Academy, an educational platform the public can access to guide them in their financial journey, offering online courses on various topics ranging from financial management, starting a business, making wise investments, to detecting investment scams.
To guide its operations in the medium to long term, the SEC unveiled the new SEC Transformation Roadmap for Enterprise and Capital Market Development (STREAM).
STREAM outlines the Commission’s mediumto long-term plan, which envisions the SEC as a highly trusted corporate and securities regulator, investor champion, catalyst and driver of a robust capital market, and guide of a more empowered business sector, and is considered among the best regulators in Southeast Asia by 2030, and in Asia by 2040.
This framework seeks to establish the Commission as the driver of growth in the capital market and the corporate sector, heavily anchored on the efficiency of its systems, optimized workforce, and proactive stakeholder engagement.
“In our 90th year, we envision an SEC that is not only efficient but admired — admired for its integrity, professionalism, and genuine commitment to the public good,” Mr. Lim said.
“We will heed the public’s concerns responsibly by listening carefully, deciding wisely, and acting decisively. That is the heart of public service. That is what the Filipino people deserve,” he added.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) celebrated the 6th Investor Protection Week (IPW) from November 8 to 14, 2025, urging every Filipino to be invested in securing their financial future.
With the theme “InvestED Tayo sa Kinabukasang Sigurado,” a wordplay on the words invested and investor education, the SECled IPW kicked off with the “Run for Financial Literacy,” an advocacy run held in Intramuros to promote financial education and sustainability.
To formally open the celebration, the SEC launched the revamped SEC Academy, providing the public free and easy access to online courses on financial management and making wise investments, among others. It also opened its headquarters to the public
and conducted various activities to promote financial management, smart and sustainable investments, vigilance against investment scams, and responsible borrowing.
The SEC was joined by content creator Jax Reyes, and representatives from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, FUSE Financing, Inc., Department of Finance, Bureau of Treasury, COL Financial, Philippine Stock Exchange, GCash, and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission to advocate for financial literacy. Pursuant to Proclamation No. 486, the Malacañang in 2019 declared the second week of November as “Investor Protection Week,” amid the prevalence of investment scams in the country.
SEC Chairperson Francis Lim and Commissioners Rogelio V. Quevedo, Karlo S. Bello, and McJill Bryant T. Fernandez lead the toast during the Commission’s 89th Anniversary and Recognition Ceremony at The SEC Headquarters in Makati City on December 5, 2025. The event celebrated the milestones reached by the SEC during the past year, and recognized partners who helped the Commission in the successful performance of its mandate.
From October to December 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued three memorandum circulars embodying new rules and regulations concerning corporations and other SEC-supervised entities. The full text of the following memorandum circulars may be found on the SEC website by visiting bit.ly/SECMemoCirculars or scanning the QR code.
SEC Memorandum Circular
Series of 2025
Date of issuance: 10 December 2025
Date of effectivity: 01 April 2026
Recalibrated Ceilings on Interest Rates and Other Fees Charged by Financing Companies and Lending Companies
Under the memorandum circular, the effective interest rate for unsecured, general-purpose loans offered by financing and lending companies with principal amounts not exceeding P10,000 and payment terms of up to four months, will be capped at 12 percent per month, or about 0.40 percent per day, effective April 1, 2025. Meanwhile, lending and financing companies may not charge nominal interest rates exceeding six percent per month, equivalent to 0.20 percent per day. The ceiling for penalties for late and non-payment is fixed at 5 percent per month on the outstanding scheduled amount due, while the total cost cap is set at 100 percent of the total amount borrowed, applying to all interest, other fees and charges, and penalties, regardless of the time the loan has been outstanding.
SEC Memorandum Circular
Series of 2025
Date of issuance: 22 December 2025
Date of effectivity: 01 January 2026
Revised Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Rules
This covers the Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Rules of 2026, which consolidates existing SEC regulations governing the submission of BO information. Among others, it provides verification mechanisms to validate BO information and address discrepancies; controlled access by authorized parties, subject to applicable laws and safeguards; and a 20 percent reporting threshold, in accordance with rules issued by the AntiMoney Laundering Council. It also lays the foundation for an online registry to facilitate the submission of BO data.
SEC Memorandum Circular
Series of 2025
Date of issuance: 22 December 2025
Date of effectivity: 08 January 2026
Adoption of Philippine Financial Reporting Standards on Sustainability Disclosures and Issuance of Reporting Guidelines for Publicly Listed Companies and Large Non-Listed Entities
The memorandum circular adopts Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS) S1 on the General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information and PFRS S2 on Climaterelated Disclosures, effectively repealing the previous rule that limited mandatory submission of sustainability reports to PLCs. The mandatory adoption of PFRS S1 and PFRS S2 will be implemented in a tiered approach, beginning in fiscal year 2026.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regularly issues advisories, as well as cease and desist orders, to protect the public from individuals and groups soliciting investments without the necessary licenses from the Commission. It also revokes the certificates of registration of partnerships and corporations engaged in unauthorized investment-taking activities, and actively pursues them in court. Read the advisories issued by the Commission by visiting bit.ly/SECAdvisories or by scanning the QR code.
The SEC Office of the General Accountant revoked the accreditation of E-Value Phils, Inc.—the company that appraised the investment properties of Villar Land Holdings Corp. and reported fair value gains amounting to P1.33 trillion.
The recommendation comes amid the company’s noncompliance with globallyrecognized International Valuation Standards (IVS) in its appraisal reports over its valuation of properties of Villar Land group subsidiaries Althorp Land Holdings, Inc., Chalgrove Properties, Inc., and Los Valores Corporation. E-Value was directed to pay a maximum penalty of P1 million and the Villar Land subsidiaries were directed to submit new IVScompliant appraisal reports.
The SEC revoked the corporate registrations of St. Timothy Construction Corporation and St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corporation, companies owned by contractors linked to the flood control corruption scandal, for submitting false beneficial ownership information.
St. Timothy and St. Gerrard were further directed to pay P2 million each as a penalty, plus an administrative fine of P1,000 per day of continuing violation. During a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on September 1, Cezarah Rowena Cruz-Discaya stated that she was the owner and officer of St. Timothy and St. Gerrard. SEC records, however, showed that Cruz-Discaya was not disclosed in the beneficial ownership declarations of St. Timothy from 2022 to September 2025, and of St. Gerrard from 2022 to 2024.
The SEC issued a cease and desist order (CDO) against XM, XM Global Limited and XM Philippines for soliciting investments without the necessary registrations from the Commission. The CDO covered the company, its officers, promoters—which include Filipino boxing icon and former senator Emmanuel D. Pacquiao, Sr.—representatives, and all persons acting for and on their behalf. XM offered derivatives, foreign exchange shares, and cryptocurrencies, which investors can access through an account on its platform and depositing the minimum amount.
The SEC imposed a P1 million fine against Surity Cash Lending Investors Corporation for its unfair debt collection practices. Surity Cash was found liable for two counts of violating Section 1 of MC 18, which prohibits the use of threats or violence or other criminal means to harm a person, as well as use of insults or profane language, among others, in debt collection. The company was also held liable for the late submission of a sworn certification stating its compliance with the requirement to establish a customer service department or designation of a personnel to cater to borrowers’ complaints and concerns.
The SEC issued a CDO against Microdot Lending Corporation for engaging in unfair debt collection practices and for failure to disclose the operations of some of its online lending platforms. FinLend found that Microdot failed to disclose the operations of Credit Peso Pro and MF Cash, and to comply with the orders of the SEC, such as the issuance of show cause letters, assessment letter, and walkthrough audit findings. The Commission has also received multiple complaints against the company since 2024 for its alleged involvement in unfair debt collection practices.
The DOJ recommended the filing of criminal charges against Eton Phil Non-Specialized Wholesale Trading, SCET Colleens Corporation, and the group of casino junket operator Hector Aldwin Liao Pantollana for engaging in unauthorized investment-taking activities without securing the necessary licenses from the Commission.
Eton Trading was found to be offering investment contracts covering frozen meat products for a monthly profit ranging from 20 to 50 percent, with capital investment of P5,000 to P100,000, while SCET Colleens were found offering investment opportunities with a promise of returns ranging from P3,800 to P1.08 million, or a return on investment between five to eight percent per month.
Meanwhile, the group of Pantallona allegedly issued loan contracts to investors with a promise of guaranteed profit ranging from 60% to 111% per annum, with the payment of profits and return of capital guaranteed by postdated checks.
DOJ indicts New Seataoo, Seatoo OPC for illegal investment scheme
The DOJ indicted New Seataoo Corporation and Seataoo Information Technology OPC, as well as their respective officers, for engaging in illegal investment schemes, following a complaint filed by the SEC. State prosecutors upheld the findings of the SEC that Seataoo group offers securities in the form of investment contracts through its cross-border dropshipping e-commerce platform, without a secondary license from the Commission. It promises its investors with guaranteed returns ranging from seven percent to 12 percent, without engaging in any genuine selling activity.
The SEC revoked the certificate of incorporation of Seek Explore Sports Association, Inc. for offering securities to the public without the necessary approvals from the Commission, and directed the company to pay an administrative fine of P1 million. Investigation by the EIPD found that Seek Explore, a company primarily engaged in the implementation of synergistic activities to improve health and education, has been offering unregistered securities worth P500 up to P140,000. It promises investors with earnings ranging from P30 after three days, and up to P1.79 million after 150 days, with a commission of up to 17 percent.
DOJ indicts Align Assets for unauthorized solicitation
The DOJ has indicted Align Assets and its officers for soliciting investments from the public without the required licenses. Align Assets presented itself to the public as a United Kingdom-based decentralized trading platform that supposedly had no identity, individual or group handling it, with a “bot” performing its cryptocurrency trading instead. Under its scheme, Align Assets entices the public to invest by promising a huge return of three percent on their investment every working day, or equivalent to 150 percent in 50 working days. The public may also earn additional five percent for direct referrals and 0.05 percent for indirect referrals.
SEC warns public against investing in Quantum Trust
The SEC warned the public against dealing with Quantum Trust, which has been using a fake endorsement by Department of Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go to encourage the public to make illegal investments. Under its scheme, which is advertised through a phishing website, which pretends to be an official webpage of GMA News Online, Quantum Trust entices the public to invest in its supposed “state-funded project,” with a promise of earning passive income of as much as P180,000 weekly for a minimum investment of at least P19,800. It promises unrealistically high returns with little to no risk, and uses aggressive marketing tactics.
The SEC has issued advisories against the following entities for soliciting investments from the public without the necessary license from the Commission.
SE Sports
Seek Explores Sports Association, Inc.
Adscent International
LM Diamonds and Accessories
Magwate Watch and Accessories Trading
Quantum Trust
Duob Top
Legacy Asia International
Recson Land Ventures and Realty Development Corp.
Dual Fuel Petroleum Corp.
Legends Petroleum Inc.
Dinero
Kai Investment
Prime Algo
Redshell Aquafarm OPC
Voodoo Esports Cafe
Oho
Oho Marketing Ltd
Oho Tasking (Marketing Ltd.)
Easy Agent Operation
EAO Walmart
Melot’s Catering Services
Gaincloud International Financial Holdings OPC
Oz Living Services Inc.
De Guzman Consumer Goods Trading
Christabel Arroyo’s Bitcoin Mining Trading Scheme
Before you invest, always remember to #CheckwithSEC. Report investment scams to the SEC Enforcement and Investor Protection Department at epd@sec.gov.ph
As part of the celebration of the 2025 Investor Protection Week, the Butuan EO launched its IPW 2025 Information Booth in partnership with SM City Butuan to bring the Commission’s services closer to the public and enhance accessibility to SEC programs and initiatives. From November 11 to 13, 2025, the EO, through the information booth, assisted clients with their queries, concerns, and transactions related to registration, report submission, and investor protection initiatives. It also aimed to raise public awareness on the importance of informed and responsible investing, while strengthening the Commission’s advocacy against illegal investment schemes.
The SEC ensures the efficient delivery of its services across the Philippines through its Extension Offices (EOs). Located in strategic locations in Baguio, Tarlac, Legazpi, Laoag, Lipa, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Tacloban, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Butuan, and Koronadal, the EOs are vital in the SEC’s fulfilment of its mandate of overseeing the corporate sector and protecting investors from fraudulent investment schemes.
The Baguio EO conducted a series of region-wide orientations aimed at strengthening the foundations of farmers and irrigators associations by equipping them with knowledge on annual reportorial requirements, organizational management, and accountability, to help them better serve their members and communities. More than 600 farmers participated in these activities held in Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province, showcasing a shared commitment to good governance, compliance, and long-term sustainability.
The Tarlac EO was recognized by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Tarlac Provincial Office for its invaluable support and contribution to the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in the province during the 2nd ARBO Summit held last October 17 at Tarlac City Convention Hall. Director Richard R. Laus received the award from DAR Tarlac Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Garland Leila A. Cuarteros, honoring the Commission’s efforts in assisting ARBO associations with registration and compliance, and in empowering them through financial education and investor protection programs.
The Ilagan EO has partnered with St. Mary’s University (SMU) Bayombong through the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) at the SMU on November 28, 2025 to launch a campus-wide financial literacy initiative. This marks the EO’s first formal partnership with an academic institution under the SEC Communication, Advocacy and Network (SEC CAN!) initiative. Under the program both organizations will cofacilitate seminars and workshops designed to equio students and professionals with essential tools for smart money management, identifying fraudulent schemes, and basic understanding of the capital markets.
The Laoag EO participated in various events and training activities spearheaded by the Department of AgricultureIlocos Region in October 2025 to promote the various programs and services of the SEC. OIC Hale Oliver M. Labayo served as a resource speaker in different programs held in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union as part of the office’s reinforced commitment to empower the agricultural sector by promoting awareness of SEC programs and services their associations can avail.
The Lipa EO and De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) on November 20, 2025 signed an MOA to strengthen their partnership to promote financial literacy and investor protection. Signed by Lipa EO Director Eretzlsrel B. Valle and DLSL Chancellor Teodosia Merli Suarez during the Investor Protection Week, the deal underscores a shared mission to champion responsible stewardship and financial vigilance and to uphold the highest standards of economic integrity and institutional excellence.
The Legazpi EO brought the SEC CAN! Campus Roadshow to Sorsogon State University to arm over 240 business and management students with knowledge on corporate registration and responsible business formation. Securities Counsel Ma. Donna Marcy B. Nicol discussed the fundamentals of corporations, with emphasis on one person corporation, and the company registration process. Director Norma A. Tan-Olaya and University President Geraldine F. De Jesus have also signed a MOA, reinforcing their shared commitment to financial literacy, good corporate governance, and responsible entrepreneurship among students.
The Cebu EO conducted a seminar with the Social Security System (SSS) on October 8 to advance the financial literacy of its employees. The seminar, titled “Social Security Meets Financial Literacy: Empowered Against Scams” held at the SSS building in Cebu City was attended by nearly 60 SSS personnel in the province. OIC Jesher M. Razada and Information Officer
Dione Drew R. Diano led the discussions on personal finance and spotting investment scams and other illegal financial schemes, as part of the office’s efforts to collaborate with government offices in Cebu and Bohol.
The SEC Iloilo Extension Office joined the 28th National Indigenous Peoples Month celebration in partnership with the Center for Heritage and Indigenous Cultures of the University of San Agustin, reaffirming its commitment to empower and recognize indigenous cultural communities across Western Visayas. Held on October 23 at the Festive Walk Activity Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, the event featured the awarding of certificates of incorporation to three indigenous cultural communities from the region.
The Cagayan de Oro EO conducted a seminar on financial literacy and investor education among the uniformed personnel in Northern Mindanao to help them manage their finances better and spot the red flags of online lending applications. Over 130 participants from the Region 10 offices of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Coast Guard of the Philippines, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and the National Police Commission. The EO noted the increasing number of complaints involving financing and lending companies, and cases of abusive debt collection handled by the participants.
The Koronadal EO and Mindanao State University (MSU) General Santos College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA), formalized their partnership through a MOA signing for the implementation of the SEC CAN! initiative on December 10 at MSU General Santos in South Cotabato. The partnership aims to strengthen investor education, financial literacy, and awareness of responsible investing and securities regulation within the MSU Gensan community, particularly among CBAA students.
The Tacloban EO signed a MOA with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines–Leyte Chapter at the Leyte Academic Center on December 10 to collaborate on information campaigns to promote financial education and investor protection. Director Desiree P. Cuenco said the initiative would strengthen both institutions’ capabilities “to clarify misconceptions, address concerns, and stand united against fraudulent practices that threaten the financial security and dreams of our people.”
The Bacolod EO partnered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development–Field Office Negros Island Region on December 18 under the SEC CAN! initiative to promote financial literacy and boost ease of doing business concept for sustainable livelihood program beneficiaries. As part of the partnership, the Bacolod EO conducted eight seminars on corporate registration for Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations in Negros Occidental, and five batches of capacitation workshop for the province’s project development officers, with a plan to replicate the programs in Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
The Davao EO joined the activity of the Negosyo Center Province of the Department of Trade and Industry-Davao del Norte Provincial Office on November 21 in Tagum City, in line with the Commission’s efforts to support the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The activity of DTI, titled Strengthening MSME Compliance: Government Regulations and Suppliers Forum, was designed as a capacity-building and networking event that aimed to equip MSMEs with essential knowledge on compliance with SEC registration and reportorial requirements, among others.
The Zamboanga EO entered a partnership with the Zamboanga Special Economic Zone Authority (Zambo Econzone) under the SEC CAN! Initiative with the signing of an MOA on December 12. The partnership aims to deepen collaboration to protect the public against illegal financial schemes. Following the ceremonial signing of the MOA, locators and staff of the Zambo Ecozone attended an investor education conference conducted by the EO.
Read the latest notices and announcements of the Securities and Exchange Commission by visiting bit.ly/ SECMatters or by scanning the QR code.
All inquiries, requests, and complaints concerning the SEC may now be submitted using the upgraded iMessage online ticketing system at imessage.sec.gov.ph. Through the upgraded iMessage, users can submit inquiries, requests, reports, and complaints online; upload supporting documents; track ticket status in real time; view the full history of each ticket; and directly message the assigned SEC department.
iMessage is available for all services by the SEC Headquarters in Makati City and across all extension offices in Baguio, Ilagan, Laoag, Tarlac, Lipa, Legazpi, Iloilo, Cebu, Bacolod, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Koronadal, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Butuan.
Effective February 2, 2026, all submissions and processing of requests for company monitoring clearance may now be done through the Company Monitoring System at https://ewatch.sec.gov.ph The system will allow online creation, submission and processing of monitoring clearance applications for one person corporations, ordinary stock and non-stock corporations, financing and lending companies, foreign institutions, corporations with secondary license, foundations, accredited microfinance organizations, and nonlisted public companies.
All financing and lending companies, regardless of whether they currently offer loans subject to interest rate ceilings, are required to submit the Impact Evaluation Report Survey Form not later than March 31, 2026. Reports shall be filed exclusively through the Electronic Filing and Submission Tool (eFAST).
The SEC Satellite Office previously located at the 4th floor of Robinsons Galleria has been closed and transferred to the 5th floor of The SEC Headquarters in Makati City. All clients are advised to proceed to the new location for all future transactions.
For inquiries and other concerns, head to the SEC Contact Center via the link https://www.sec.gov. ph/contact-us/ or by scanning the QR code.
Check out these other SEC publications to learn more about the Philippine capital markets, business sector, and overall economy.
bit.ly/SECMarketUpdates
Track the movement of stock, bond, and commodity prices, as well as foreign exchange rates, by tuning in to this daily publication by the SEC Markets and Securities Regulation Department. Daily updates are available for the Equity, Fixed Income, and Foreign Exchange and Commodities Markets.
This monthly publication by the SEC Markets and Securities Regulation Department contains news on sustainable finance, as well as a rundown of green, social, and sustainability bonds issued in the Philippines and the ASEAN region for the period.
The SEC Economic Research and Training Department provides monthly updates on the Philippine economy, i.e. the country’s economic growth, government spending,
