Philippines

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Philippines Scam Losses Hit $4.5bn, Spotlight on New AFASA Act

By Manesh Samtani | 24/11/2025

New report reveals financial losses from scams and highlights the critical role of a pending anti-fraud law for financial institutions.

Structural Regulation

SEC Philippines Proposes Expanding REIT Asset Scope, Relaxing Float Rules

By Mark Johnston | 23/11/2025

The SEC is seeking feedback on a draft circular that will extend reinvestment periods and allow infrastructure assets and SPVs in REIT portfolios.

Emerging Prudential Risks

Philippine to Map Corporate Links to Curb Systemic Risk

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 21/11/2025

The country's financial stability council will create a map of corporate connections to identify contagion risks and stress points.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Industry Officials Push for Phase-Out of OTPs, New Fintech Listing Rules

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 21/11/2025

The move away from OTPs is expected to reduce the cost of payments. Industry is moving toward biometric-based passkeys and tokenised verification.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Philippine Cybercrime Agency Partners Fintech to Shape Digital Finance Policy

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 14/11/2025

The CICC's partnership with digital lender Juanhand will provide the government agency with industry insights to develop evidence-based regulations for the sector.

Payments & Settlements

BSP Flags Penalties, ISO 20022 Alignment in Push for 24/7 RTGS

By Mark Johnston | 14/11/2025

Philippines central bank consults FIs on regulatory adjustments and operational resilience for round-the-clock real-time payments.

Structural Regulation

Philippines Proposes Raising Audit Exemption Threshold for Micro Firms

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 12/11/2025

The SEC wants to lift the asset threshold for mandatory audits to PHP 3 million to ease the compliance burden on small businesses.

Anti-Money Laundering

Philippines Authorises Migrant Worker Officials as AML Investigators

By Mark Johnston | 10/11/2025

The move aims to combat money laundering and human trafficking targeted at overseas Filipino workers by empowering DMW staff.

Payments & Settlements

Philippines Proposes Steeper Fines for Payment Reporting Lapses

By Mark Johnston | 05/11/2025

The central bank is consulting on daily fines and non-monetary sanctions for non-compliant payment system operators.