Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept—it is already transforming how legal professionals work. From drafting pleadings to conducting legal research, AI tools are becoming part of everyday legal practice. Recognizing both the opportunities and risks, the Philippine Supreme Court introduced a landmark policy in 2026: the Governance Framework on the Use of Human-Centered Augmented Intelligence in the Judiciary (A.M. No. 25-11-28-SC). This framework sets the r

Changing key details of your corporation such as its name, business purpose, or office address requires more than just an internal update. In the Philippines, these changes must be formally approved through an amendment of the Articles of Incorporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). If done incorrectly, the process can cause delays or compliance issues. This guide explains how to amend your Articles of Incorporation step-by-step, including requirements, ti

A corporation may be suspended or revoked by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for several reasons most commonly for failing to comply with reportorial requirements such as filing the General Information Sheet (GIS) or Audited Financial Statements (AFS). When this happens, many business owners assume the company can no longer operate. Fortunately, that is not always the case. Under Philippine corporate regulations, corporations that have been suspended or revoked m

Mistakes in corporate filings happen more often than many businesses expect. A wrong shareholder name, incorrect officer information, or outdated address can easily slip into a General Information Sheet (GIS) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The good news is that these errors can usually be corrected. Corporations can submit an amended GIS to update inaccurate or incomplete information. In this guide, we explain how to correct an error in a filed GIS,

Filing your General Information Sheet (GIS) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is a mandatory requirement for corporations in the Philippines. The document updates the SEC on your company’s directors, officers, shareholders, and other corporate details. However, many companies overlook or delay this filing. While it may seem like a minor administrative task, failing to submit your GIS on time can lead to fines, delinquency status, and even revocation of your co

The Philippine government is considering a major policy tool to protect consumers from rising fuel prices during global crises. House Bill No. 8418 would allow the President of the Philippines to temporarily suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products when the country faces a national or global economic emergency. The proposal gained urgency amid the escalating Iran–US–Israel conflict, which threatens global oil supplies and could push fuel prices significantly highe

Understanding how corporations must present financial information is essential for investors, regulators, and businesses. In Abacus Coal Exploration and Development Corporation v. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Philippine Supreme Court clarified the importance of accurate financial reporting and proper disclosure of assets and equity in audited financial statements. This case highlights how material misstatements and omissions in financial statements can lead to regu

Running a corporation in the Philippines comes with important reporting responsibilities. One of the most critical is complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing requirements . Every year, corporations must submit several documents to the SEC to remain compliant with Philippine corporate regulations. Failure to meet these requirements may result in penalties, fines, or even suspension or revocation of corporate registration . This complete guide explain

What the Supreme Court Clarified in Paree v. Magsaysay Maritime Corporation Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) play a vital role in the Philippine economy. Because they work abroad and often deal with foreign employers, the law provides strong protections to ensure their rights are respected. One of the most important protections comes from the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 (Republic Act No. 8042) . A recent Supreme Court ruling in Ruthgar T. Paree v. Magsa

Overview The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 14-2026, dated March 4, 2026, to clarify provisions under RMC No. 8-2026, RMO No. 1-2026, and RMO No. 6-2026 concerning the lifting of the suspension of tax audits and the implementation of revised audit policies and procedures. This circular provides guidance on how audit authorities, verification instruments, and consolidation of audit cases will be handled under the Single-Instan

A Legal Insight for Property Buyers, Sellers, and Investors In real estate transactions, many buyers enter into Contracts to Sell, especially for residential properties and installment purchases. However, disputes often arise when buyers fail to continue payments or when sellers dispose of the property to another party. A recent Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarified important legal principles regarding these situations. The case of Atty. Rogelio B. De Guzman v. Spouses Ba

When starting an organization or business in the Philippines, one of the first decisions you need to make is whether to register a stock corporation or a non-stock corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). While both types of corporations are governed by the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines, they are designed for different purposes and follow different rules when it comes to ownership, governance structure, reporting requirements, and regulator

Corporate compliance with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) remains a critical responsibility for corporations operating in the Philippines. Failure to comply with reportorial requirements may result in penalties, suspension, or revocation of corporate registration. To assist corporations in maintaining good standing with the SEC, we have prepared an overview of the 2026 SEC Compliance Calendar, highlighting the key deadlines for the following reportoria

Filing your General Information Sheet (GIS) with the SEC may seem routine but small mistakes can result in penalties, compliance issues, and unnecessary stress for your company. Here are the most common errors businesses make: 1. Late Filing The GIS must be submitted within 30 calendar days from the date of the annual stockholders’ meeting (ASM)  (or as required under SEC guidelines). Missing this deadline can lead to monetary penalties and may affect your company’s good stan

Many corporations mistakenly assume that only registered shareholders must be disclosed in SEC filings. However, under current SEC regulations, a Beneficial Owner  refers to the natural person who ultimately owns or exercises control over a corporation — whether directly or indirectly. Understanding this distinction is essential for proper compliance, particularly when submitting the General Information Sheet (GIS) and other reportorial requirements. The 25% Ownership Thresho

What Individuals and Businesses Need to Know Under the New BIR Commissioner As the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) enters 2026 under new leadership, Filipino taxpayers can expect a renewed focus on compliance, digitalization, and what is now being promoted as a more “friendly” tax mapping approach. While tax mapping has traditionally been viewed as intimidating, the BIR’s current direction emphasizes education before enforcement, voluntary compliance, and structured monitori

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires corporations to disclose and update their Beneficial Ownership (BO) information through the HARBOR system. This requirement is part of the Philippines’ enhanced transparency framework, which aligns with anti-money laundering regulations and international compliance standards. Failure to report beneficial ownership accurately may lead to penalties, compliance notices, and regulatory scrutiny. This guide explains the registr

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires corporations in the Philippines to file their General Information Sheet (GIS) annually. Failure to file on time may result in monetary penalties, compliance notices, and potential complications in future corporate transactions. This guide outlines the step-by-step process for filing your GIS for 2026. What Is the General Information Sheet (GIS)? The GIS contains updated corporate information, including: Directors and offic

What Every OPC Must Know to Avoid Penalties The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has released SEC Memorandum Circular No. 10, Series of 2026 , titled “Guidelines on the Compliances of One Person Corporations (OPCs)” , dated 16 February 2026. This new issuance strengthens monitoring and enforcement mechanisms for OPCs, particularly in relation to officer appointments, financial reporting, and surety bond requirements. If you own or manage a One Person Corporation , her

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has introduced a major reform aimed at addressing long-standing issues in residential land titling across the Philippines. Through DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2025-35 , the agency revised the rules governing residential free patents to make the process faster, fairer, and more accessible. This reform forms part of broader national efforts to strengthen land governance, modernize systems, and reduce titling del