Stay informed with our latest legal insights, industry updates, and expert analysis on important legal developments affecting businesses and individuals in the Philippines.
The CREATE MORE Act (RA 12066) overhauled the Philippines' tax incentive framework in late 2024. Here are five key benefits every foreign investor should know before registering with BOI or PEZA.
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The CREATE MORE Act (RA 12066) overhauled the Philippines' tax incentive framework in late 2024. Here are five key benefits every foreign investor should know before registering with BOI or PEZA.
Many foreign startups and businesses hire Filipino talent remotely — but doing it legally requires understanding the line between independent contractors and employees under Philippine law.
Thinking about retiring in the Philippines? Here are seven frequently asked questions about the Special Resident Retiree's Visa — including the 2025 rule changes that lowered the minimum age to 40.
Registered your foreign-owned company with the SEC? That's just the beginning. Here's a step-by-step checklist of the local permits and registrations you still need before you can legally operate.
The SEC's new HARBOR platform for beneficial ownership disclosure went live on January 30, 2026. Here's what foreign corporations — branch offices, representative offices, and ROHQs — need to know to stay compliant.
Foreign corporations can enter the Philippines through a branch office, representative office, or regional operating headquarters — each with different powers, capital requirements, and tax treatment. Here's how they compare.
Contrary to popular belief, foreign nationals can register a sole proprietorship in the Philippines — but only if they meet strict capital and regulatory requirements under the Foreign Investments Act.
The Philippines now allows foreign investors to lease private land for up to 99 years under Republic Act No. 12252. Here's what changed, who qualifies, and what foreign businesses need to know.
Got divorced abroad? Here's what foreigners and their Filipino spouses need to know about getting a foreign divorce legally recognized in the Philippines — from Article 26 requirements to recent Supreme Court rulings.
The Innovative Startup Act (RA 11337) created a dedicated startup visa for foreign entrepreneurs in the Philippines. Here are six common questions about eligibility, benefits, and how foreign founders can take advantage of the law.
Foreign investors can freely repatriate profits from the Philippines — but only if the right registrations and documentation are in place. Here's a step-by-step checklist covering BSP registration, tax clearances, and banking requirements.
A concise FAQ for expats, foreign investors, and digital nomads on opening a Philippine bank account — what you need, which accounts are available, and what the law actually says.
A practical checklist for foreign investors, expats, and business owners on how the Anti-Dummy Law (Commonwealth Act No. 108) restricts foreign participation in certain Philippine industries — and how to structure your investment legally.
An in-depth legal analysis of the Philippine Competition Act (RA 10667), covering anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position, merger notification requirements, PCC enforcement powers, and practical compliance strategies for foreign businesses entering and operating in the Philippine market.
An in-depth legal analysis of the Philippines' free trade agreements — including RCEP, ATIGA, PJEPA, the PH-Korea FTA, and ASEAN dialogue partner agreements — and how foreign investors can leverage preferential tariffs, investment protections, and market access provisions to maximize their Philippine operations.
A comprehensive legal guide to corporate governance requirements for foreign-owned companies operating in the Philippines — covering the Revised Corporation Code (RA 11232), SEC Memorandum Circular No. 24 (2019), independent directors, beneficial ownership disclosure, reportorial obligations, related party transactions, and compliance best practices.
A comprehensive legal guide to foreign ownership in Philippine retail trade — covering Republic Act No. 11595, the amended Retail Trade Liberalization Act, minimum paid-up capital requirements, reciprocity conditions, DTI and SEC registration, the IRR, penalties for non-compliance, and practical strategies for foreign retailers entering the Philippine market.
A detailed legal guide to dispute resolution and arbitration for foreign investors in the Philippines — covering Republic Act No. 9285 (ADR Act of 2004), Republic Act No. 876 (Arbitration Law), the Special ADR Rules, enforcement of foreign arbitral awards under the New York Convention, the PDRCI and CIAC, mediation requirements, and practical strategies for structuring dispute resolution clauses in cross-border agreements.
A detailed legal guide to Philippine import and export regulations for foreign businesses — covering the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (RA 10863), Bureau of Customs accreditation via the Client Profile Registration System (CPRS), tariff classification, import duties and VAT, restricted and prohibited goods, export requirements, ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) preferential tariffs, PEZA and freeport zone benefits, and compliance strategies for foreign investors.
A thorough legal guide to Philippine anti-money laundering compliance for foreign companies — covering RA 9160 (AMLA) as amended by RA 11521, covered persons and institutions, Know-Your-Customer (KYC) requirements, covered and suspicious transaction reporting (CTR/STR), AMLC enforcement powers, beneficial ownership disclosure, penalties of up to 14 years imprisonment, and the Philippines' post-FATF gray list compliance landscape.
A complete legal guide to Philippine employment law for foreign employers — covering the Labor Code (PD 442), alien employment permits, mandatory benefits (SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG), 13th month pay, termination procedures, leave entitlements, and compliance obligations that every foreign company hiring in the Philippines must understand.
A comprehensive legal guide to protecting intellectual property and registering trademarks in the Philippines as a foreign company — covering the IP Code (RA 8293 as amended by RA 10372), the Madrid Protocol, IPOPHL registration procedures, patent and copyright protections, trade secret safeguards, enforcement mechanisms, and practical strategies for foreign businesses securing their IP rights in the Philippine market.
A detailed legal guide to structuring joint ventures and partnerships in the Philippines as a foreign investor — covering the Civil Code partnership framework, the Revised Corporation Code (RA 11232), Foreign Investments Act (RA 7042 as amended by RA 11647), Anti-Dummy Law (CA 108), equity restrictions, corporate governance, and practical structuring strategies for foreign-Filipino business collaborations.
A comprehensive legal guide to Philippine franchise regulations for foreign brands — covering the regulatory framework, IP Code technology transfer rules, the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, intellectual property protection, withholding tax on royalties, corporate structuring options, and practical compliance steps for international franchisors expanding into the Philippine market.
A comprehensive legal guide to investment incentives available through the Board of Investments (BOI) and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) under the CREATE Act (RA 11534) and CREATE MORE Act (RA 12066) — covering income tax holidays, special corporate income tax rates, enhanced deductions, duty exemptions, the Strategic Investment Priority Plan, and practical application steps for foreign investors.
A comprehensive legal guide to the Philippine Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173) for foreign businesses operating in or targeting the Philippine market — covering extraterritorial scope, NPC registration, breach notification, cross-border data transfers, penalties, and practical compliance steps.
A comprehensive legal guide to the visa options available to foreign entrepreneurs and investors in the Philippines, covering the 9(G) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa, Section 47(a)(2) Special Non-Immigrant Visa, Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV), Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV), and Treaty Trader Visa — with verified legal citations and practical guidance.
A comprehensive legal guide to registering a foreign corporation with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission, covering branch offices, representative offices, regional headquarters, capital requirements, and the documentary process under the Revised Corporation Code and Foreign Investments Act.
A comprehensive legal guide to property ownership restrictions for foreign nationals in the Philippines, covering land prohibitions, condominium ownership under RA 4726, long-term leasing under RA 7652, and special rules for former Filipino citizens.
A comprehensive guide to the Philippine Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL), explaining ownership restrictions, liberalized sectors, and how foreign investors can navigate equity limitations under Philippine law.
A comprehensive guide to Philippine corporate taxation for foreign companies, covering income tax rates under the CREATE and CREATE MORE Acts, branch profit remittance tax, withholding taxes, VAT obligations, transfer pricing rules, and BIR registration requirements.
A comprehensive guide for foreign investors on setting up a business in the Philippines, covering investment vehicles, capital requirements, retail trade regulations, and tax implications under Philippine law.
Comprehensive guide to BSP licensing requirements for Money Services Businesses in the Philippines, including E-Money Issuers, Remittance Agents, and Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs).
Payment system operators looking to engage in merchant acquisition activities must obtain a Merchant Acquisition License from the BSP. This guide covers the requirements, application process, and compliance obligations under the latest 2024-2025 regulations.
Outsourcing can expose businesses to significant liabilities if not properly structured. Learn the difference between legitimate job contracting and prohibited labor-only contracting under DOLE Department Order 174-17, and how to protect your company.
Understanding due process requirements is critical for Philippine employers. This guide covers the legal framework for disciplinary actions and termination, including just causes, authorized causes, and the Twin Notice Rule.
Cyber libel is a controversial issue in the Philippines. In 2012, the country enacted the Cybercrime Prevention Act, which includes provisions criminalizing online libel. While the law was aimed at preventing cybercrime, the inclusion of libel as a criminal offense has raised concerns about freedom of expression and press freedom in the country.
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