Beneficial ownership transparency is becoming a bigger priority around the world. Governments, regulators, banks, investors, and international organizations are paying closer attention to who really owns, controls, or benefits from companies and other legal structures. The main reason is simple: Hidden ownership can make it easier to conceal corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, sanctions evasion, and other illicit activity. FATF, the OECD, and the World Bank all describ

The Philippines has updated its rules on foreign ownership through Executive Order No. 113, which adopts the 13th Regular Foreign Investment Negative List (RFINL). For local businesses, foreign investors, and companies planning to enter the Philippine market, this is an important development. The new list explains which industries remain restricted, which allow partial foreign ownership, and which now offer more room for foreign participation. In simple terms, the Foreign Inv

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Philippines has officially extended the filing deadlines for the 2025 Annual Financial Statements (AFS) and certain related reportorial requirements. This update is important for corporations, brokers, dealers, public companies, and other covered entities that need more time to complete their year-end reporting. The extension gives businesses additional time to prepare their reports properly, avoid filing errors, and stay compliant

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has extended the deadline for the filing of the 2025 Annual Income Tax Return (AITR), payment of the corresponding taxes due, and submission of required attachments. Instead of the original April 15, 2026 deadline, taxpayers now have until May 15, 2026 to complete these requirements. This extension gives individuals and businesses more time to prepare accurate returns, settle their tax obligations, and submit supporting documents without t

Corporate governance is no longer just about board meetings, policies, and compliance checklists. In the Philippines, it is becoming more practical, more visible, and more closely tied to business resilience, investor confidence, and long-term growth. For 2026, the direction is clear: Philippine corporations are expected to focus more on transparency, board accountability, sustainability reporting, digital compliance, and stronger risk oversight. These are not random trends.

If your corporation receives an SEC inquiry, complaint notice, or directive to submit records, it is normal to feel alarmed. But an SEC investigation does not always mean the corporation is already guilty. In many cases, it means the Securities and Exchange Commission is checking whether there may be a violation of the law, SEC rules, or reporting requirements. Under the Securities Regulation Code, the SEC has the power to regulate, investigate, and supervise activities to en

If your corporation has missed SEC filings and is now tagged as delinquent, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is: how much will it cost to fix it? The honest answer is this: there is no single flat amount. The total cost depends on your company’s specific situation, including how many reportorial requirements were missed, how long they have been overdue, whether amendments are needed, and whether you must file a petition to revive the corporation’s status. The SE

Transferring shares in a corporation may sound complicated, but it’s actually a straightforward process if you follow the right steps. Whether you’re selling shares, transferring ownership to a partner, or restructuring your business, it’s important to do it properly to avoid legal and tax issues. This guide breaks everything down in a clear and easy-to-understand way. What Does “Transfer of Shares” Mean? A share transfer happens when ownership of shares moves from one person

Why This Update Matters The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) recently issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 24-2026 to clarify how taxes apply to cross-border services. This update addresses confusion from earlier issuances (RMC 5-2024 and RMC 38-2024) and provides clearer guidance for businesses dealing with foreign service providers. What Are Cross-Border Services? Cross-border services refer to services provided between parties in different countries, such as: Hirin

Foreign investors looking to do business in the Philippines must comply with specific rules set by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Understanding these requirements is essential to ensure smooth registration, legal compliance, and successful operations. This guide breaks down the key requirements in a simple and practical way. Who Can Invest in Philippine Corporations? Foreign individuals and companies are allowed to invest in Philippine corporations. However, ow

Cross-border services are now a day-to-day reality for Philippine businesses. Think offshore consultants, IT outsourcing, foreign engineering teams, online training providers, international telecom services, and more. The challenge is that “the service is abroad” doesn’t automatically mean “no Philippine tax,” just as “the customer is in the Philippines” doesn’t automatically mean “taxable.” The rules depend on facts—what the service is, where key parts happen, and where the

A Practical Guide to Robiso v. Ibay and What It Means for Adoptive Families Adoption cases often begin with a simple human story: a parent, unable to care for a child, entrusts that child to someone willing to give the child a stable home. But in Philippine law, good intentions do not replace legal safeguards. In Eleazar R. Robiso v. Hon. Marie Grace Javier Ibay, G.R. No. 241893, decided on November 3, 2025, the Supreme Court clarified a rule that matters to adoptive parents,

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) requires banks and other BSP-supervised financial institutions (BSFIs) to appoint external auditors included in its List of Selected External Auditors. These auditors are classified into Categories A, B, and C, depending on their qualifications, experience, and regulatory track record.[1] Under this framework, a BSFI must appoint an auditor from the same or higher category, while an external auditor may serve institutions within its categ

Changing corporate officers is a normal part of running a corporation in the Philippines. Whether due to resignation, replacement, promotion, or internal restructuring, it’s important to follow the correct legal process to stay compliant with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This guide explains everything you need to know clearly and simply. What Are Corporate Officers? Corporate officers are the key individuals responsible for managing the day-to-day operations

Photo courtesy: PCO What Businesses and Taxpayers Need to Know Fuel prices influence nearly every sector of the economy—from transportation and logistics to food and retail. With the passage of Republic Act No. 12316, the Philippine government now has a legal mechanism to respond when fuel costs rise sharply. At Aureada CPA Law Firm, we break down what this law means in practical terms—so businesses and taxpayers can make informed decisions. A Targeted Response to Rising Fuel

Planning to expand your business or bring in new investors? Increasing your Authorized Capital Stock (ACS) is a common step for growing corporations in the Philippines. This guide breaks down the process in simple terms so you can stay compliant and avoid delays. What Is Authorized Capital Stock? Authorized Capital Stock (ACS) is the maximum amount of capital a corporation is allowed to raise through the issuance of shares. When your current capital is no longer enough to sup

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,