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55 legal articles
Yes. Since November 2022, solar, wind, hydro and ocean energy projects in the Philippines can be 100% foreign-owned. The change came through a Department of Justice opinion and a Department...
Data privacy enforcement. The National Privacy Commission requires foreign companies processing local data to comply with the Data Privacy Act of 2012, mandating proper data-sharing agreements and localized security measures....
Foreign companies can hire remote workers in the Philippines using independent contractor agreements, an Employer of Record (EOR), or a local subsidiary. An EOR shifts local labor compliance to a...
Wrongful Dismissal in the Philippines: Employee Rights and Evidence Due process is mandatory: Employers cannot fire you without providing a valid legal reason and following the strict procedural requirements under...
The Philippines operates on a "first-to-file" system, meaning the first entity to register a trademark or patent secures the rights, regardless of who used or invented it first. Registering your...
How to Export Products from the Philippines: 2026 Requirements, Documents and Processing Times Updated September 2026 CPRS registration now lasts three years: Since 25 April 2026, Bureau of Customs (BOC)...
Tax and operations: Regular corporations have geographic flexibility. PEZA corporations receive tax holidays but must operate within designated economic zones. Capital requirements: Foreign-owned businesses targeting the local market need at...
Navigating BPO Contract Disputes in the Philippines for Foreign Clients Prioritize Arbitration: Philippine court dockets are heavily congested. Structuring your contracts to require arbitration ensures faster and more confidential resolutions....
Foreign BPO companies can be 100% foreign-owned in the Philippines because they qualify as export enterprises, bypassing standard domestic capital minimums. The Board of Investments (BOI) provides better flexibility for...
How to Register a Regional Headquarters (RHQ or ROHQ) in the Philippines Updated September 2026 Two structures : A Regional Headquarters (RHQ) supervises and coordinates affiliates and earns no income....
Recent SEC corporate governance updates require digital reporting and expanded risk management disclosures for foreign-owned startups. Foreign equity limits dictate board composition. Violating these limits triggers penalties under the Philippine...
Philippine Corporate Registration Checklist for Foreign Investors Identify Equity Restrictions First: Foreign ownership limits are dictated by the Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL). Review this before structuring your capital or...
Strict Officer Roles: The Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines dictates that key officers, such as the Corporate Secretary and Treasurer, must meet specific residency and citizenship requirements. Preserving Incentives:...
The Philippine e-commerce market is growing fast, but foreign sellers and online platforms often struggle with the country's strict customs and tax rules. To avoid shipping delays and heavy fines,...
Entering the Philippine market through a commercial joint venture (JV) is a proven strategy for foreign investors to leverage local market expertise and scale operations. However, navigating local equity restrictions,...
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...
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...
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...
Claiming an inheritance across borders is a complex legal task, particularly due to the Philippines' strict property laws and bureaucratic procedures. For foreign nationals, expats, and members of the Filipino...
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...