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51 articles found in Philippines

Last Will and Testament in the Philippines: Requirements, Cost & Probate (2026) Last reviewed: September 2026. A valid Philippine will needs four things: a testator at least 18 and of...

Foreign investors can own 100% of an export-oriented Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company in the Philippines without statutory minimum foreign capital thresholds under the Foreign Investments Act. Initial corporate registration...

Constitutional land restrictions: Foreign nationals cannot directly own private land in the Philippines under the 1987 Constitution. Any informal side agreement attempt to bypass this rule is legally void. Torrens...

Strict ownership compliance under the Foreign Investments Act and Anti-Dummy Law is mandatory. Attempting to bypass equity limits with side letters voids contracts and triggers criminal liability. Contractual deadlock clauses,...

Call the police and get examined the same day. A PNP Traffic Accident Investigation Report and a medico-legal or hospital record made on the day of the crash are worth...

Fintech companies in the Philippines are primarily regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) under the Manual of Regulations for Non-Bank Financial Institutions. Minimum capital requirements range from PHP...

CIAC Jurisdiction: The Construction Industry Arbitration Commission (CIAC) holds original and exclusive jurisdiction over Philippine construction disputes whenever an arbitration clause exists. Multi-Tier Clauses: Dispute Review Boards (DRBs) resolve site...

Judicial recognition of foreign divorce applies when a foreign spouse obtains a valid divorce abroad, enabling the Filipino spouse to update their civil status under Article 26 of the Family...

Republic Act No. 11659 (Amended Public Service Act) legally separates "public utilities" from "public services," lifting foreign ownership caps on many major industries. Foreign investors can now own up to...

Philippines Lobbying and Government Relations Compliance Managing corporate-government interactions in the Philippines is a high-stakes task. Many foreign executives make the mistake of treating government relations as a simple relationship-building...

Strict Fiduciary Standards: Foreign directors of Philippine corporations are bound by the same strict duties of obedience, diligence, and loyalty as local directors under the Revised Corporation Code. Personal Liability...

Arbitration is the safest route: For foreign companies in the Philippines, resolving disputes through international or domestic commercial arbitration avoids the notorious backlogs of the local court system. Strong legal...

A foreign divorce is not automatically recognized in the Philippines; it requires a court process called a Petition for Judicial Recognition of Foreign Judgment. Article 26 of the Family Code...

If you are planning to expand your business to the Philippines, you must make a foundational decision: do you register an SEC Branch Office or a Representative Office? This choice...

100% Foreign Ownership: International investors can now legally own 100% of solar, wind, hydro, and ocean energy projects in the Philippines, bypassing previous 40% equity caps. Mandatory Registrations: Forming a...

How to Claim a Foreign Inheritance in the Philippines Claiming an inheritance across borders is a complex legal task, particularly due to the Philippines' strict property laws and bureaucratic procedures....

Philippine family law is mainly governed by the Family Code and generally does not allow divorce for non-Muslim couples, so spouses usually file for declaration of nullity, annulment, or legal...

Board of Directors Liability for Foreign Subsidiaries in the Philippines: Executive Checklist Accepting a board seat on a Philippine subsidiary is never a mere paper appointment. Under local law, directors...

Drafting Joint Venture Agreements in the Philippines - FAQ Entering the Philippine market through a commercial joint venture (JV) is a proven strategy for foreign investors to leverage local market...

Choosing between PEZA and BOI depends on your location strategy; PEZA requires operating within designated ecozones, while BOI allows for more geographical flexibility. Export-oriented IT-BPM firms (exporting 60% or more...