Philippines

Securities / Derivatives

Philippine SEC Expands REIT Rules to Include Infrastructure, New Structures

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 12/01/2026

New regulations broaden the scope of eligible assets, allow for SPV structures, and refine corporate governance rules.

Capital / Liquidity

Philippines Launches State Micro-Lending to Curb Predatory Credit

By Mark Johnston | 06/01/2026

The Department of Finance directs the Social Security System to partner with banks for a digital micro-loan pilot launching H1 2026.

Market Infrastructure

New BSP Paper Argues Against Demonetisation to Fight Crime

By Manesh Samtani | 31/12/2025

Discussion paper calls demonetisation a "blunt instrument" and urges broader institutional reforms to fight financial crime.

Market Infrastructure

Philippines Mandates ISO 20022 for All Retail Payment Systems

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 29/12/2025

The new rules give financial institutions two years to fully adopt the global messaging standard for domestic and cross-border payments.

Securities / Derivatives

Philippines Blocks Coinbase, Gemini in Crackdown on Unlicensed Platforms

By Editors | 26/12/2025

Regulators ordered ISPs to block 50 virtual asset providers, while investors reported access issues to brokerage Interactive Brokers.

AML / KYC

Philippines House Passes Bill to Amend Bank Secrecy

By Editors | 26/12/2025

The measure grants the central bank powers to examine accounts in corruption cases, aligning with international AML standards.

Securities / Derivatives

Philippines Mandates IFRS-Aligned Sustainability Reporting in Phased Rollout

By Editors | 26/12/2025

The SEC has adopted PFRS S1 and S2, setting a tiered timeline for mandatory disclosure and external assurance for listed and large private firms.

AML / KYC

Philippines SEC Overhauls Beneficial Ownership Rules to Curb Illicit Finance

By Editors | 24/12/2025

New framework sets a 20 percent reporting threshold and introduces an online registry to boost transparency and combat financial crime.

Enforcement

Philippines Widens Asset Freeze in PHP 20.3B Flood Control Probe

By Editors | 23/12/2025

The AML has frozen over 1,100 new bank accounts, bringing the total value of restricted assets to PHP 20.3 billion.