Setting Up & Structuring · June 9, 2026
A legal guide for foreign investors on establishing a Philippine holding company — covering the tax optimization benefits of intercorporate dividends under the National Internal Revenue Code, the SEC's beneficial ownership disclosure rules and HARBOR registry, CREATE MORE Act (RA 12066) incentives for holding structures, thin capitalization considerations, anti-dummy law compliance, and practical structuring guidance for multi-jurisdiction investment vehicles in 2026.
Joren Lex Tan
Setting Up & Structuring · May 9, 2026
A foreign company can enter the Philippines through a Regional Operating Headquarters (ROHQ), a Branch Office, a Representative Office, or a Domestic Subsidiary. The choice is not merely administrative — it determines your tax liability, the activities you may legally conduct, the capital you must commit, the regulators that oversee you, and whether your parent company answers for Philippine liabilities. This guide compares all four structures under current Philippine law, including the end of the ROHQ preferential rate and the CREATE MORE Act (RA 12066), and offers a practical decision framework.
Garreth-Daniel Tungol
Setting Up & Structuring · March 28, 2026
From ownership rules to the new DTI Trustmark, here are the most common questions foreigners ask about launching an online business in the Philippines.
Jennifer Denise Gueco
Setting Up & Structuring · March 27, 2026
From ignoring capital requirements to using dummy arrangements, here are the top legal pitfalls foreign entrepreneurs fall into — and how to avoid them.
Sarah Camille Francisco
Setting Up & Structuring · March 25, 2026
Acquiring an established Philippine company can be faster than building from scratch — but the legal process involves nationality checks, tax clearances, and regulatory filings most foreigners don't expect. Here's a step-by-step checklist.
Joren Lex Tan
Setting Up & Structuring · March 20, 2026
Yes — but the legal path depends on how much you plan to invest. Here's a concise breakdown of the ownership rules, capital requirements, and registration steps for foreign-owned restaurants in the Philippines.
Jose Ben Campos
Setting Up & Structuring · March 12, 2026
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.
Jose Ben Campos
Setting Up & Structuring · March 9, 2026
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.
Garreth-Daniel Tungol
Setting Up & Structuring · February 20, 2026
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.
Joren Lex Tan
Setting Up & Structuring · February 19, 2026
A 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.
Daniel John Fordan
Setting Up & Structuring · February 15, 2026
A 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.
Joren Lex Tan
Setting Up & Structuring · December 5, 2025
A 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.
Garreth-Daniel Tungol
Foreign Ownership & Property · June 9, 2026
Executive Order No. 113, Series of 2026, promulgates the Thirteenth Regular Foreign Investment Negative List. Signed on April 13, 2026, published on April 17, and effective May 2, 2026, it replaces the 12th list issued in 2022 and changes the rules for retail trade, telecommunications, renewable energy and defense materiel. This guide explains how the Negative List works, what changed, what stays restricted, how the Anti-Dummy Law and the SEC's HARBOR beneficial ownership registry apply alongside it, how BIR RMC No. 24-2026 treats cross-border service fees, and the practical steps for structuring an investment under the new rules.
Daniel John Fordan
Fintech & Financial Regulation · May 23, 2026
The Philippines has emerged as one of Southeast Asia's most dynamic fintech markets — but for foreign founders and investors looking to build, scale, or launch digital financial services in the country, the regulatory path is a minefield of licensing requirements, moratoriums, capitalization thresholds, and compliance obligations that change year by year. This article explains the Philippine fintech regulatory landscape in 2026, covering the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) licensing framework, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration process for fintech entities, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) compliance regime, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) obligations, the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (RA 12010) and BSP Circular No. 1213's expanded compliance mandates, and the practical roadmap for foreign investors seeking to establish a compliant fintech presence in the Philippines.
Sarah Camille Francisco
Regulated Sectors · May 12, 2026
Republic Act No. 10667 reaches foreign companies that do business in the Philippines — and foreign deals that affect Philippine markets. This guide covers what you need to know: the per se ban on price-fixing and bid rigging, the rules on abuse of dominant position, the PCC's investigative and penalty powers, and the compulsory merger notification regime, including the thresholds effective March 1, 2026 of PHP 9.1 billion (Size of Party) and PHP 3.8 billion (Size of Transaction), the 30-day filing deadline, the Phase 1 and Phase 2 review timeline, and the gun-jumping rules that can void a transaction.
Daniel John Fordan
Employment & Labor · March 14, 2026
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.
Jennifer Denise Gueco
Visas & Immigration · March 6, 2026
The Innovative Startup Act (RA 11337) provides for 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.
Jose Ben Campos
Fintech & Financial Regulation · March 4, 2026
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.
Daniel John Fordan
Foreign Ownership & Property · February 27, 2026
A 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.
Joren Lex Tan
