JD Supra (JD Supra Philippines)

I. Types of business entities - As a general rule, foreign equity is allowed to conduct and participate in business in the Philippines, through any of the following modes: 1. By investing in a domestic stock corporation. A domestic corporation is a corporation which is organized under Philippine law. It is an artificial being which has a personality separate and distinct from the...

I. Types of business entities - As a general rule, foreign equity is allowed to conduct and participate in business in the Philippines, through any of the following modes: 1. By investing in a domestic stock corporation. A domestic corporation is a corporation which is organized under Philippine law. It is an artificial being which has a personality separate and distinct from the...

In the Philippines, the nation-wide rollout of COVID-19 vaccines began in 2021. To date, the Philippines has administered at least 141,959,452 doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccination, although not a standalone control measure, is viewed as the top-most effective tool for protecting people against the said virus. As a corollary measure, minimum public health standards must still be followed to...

I. Types of business entities - As a general rule, foreign equity is allowed to conduct and participate in business in the Philippines, through any of the following modes: 1. By investing in a domestic stock corporation. A domestic corporation is a corporation which is organized under Philippine law. It is an artificial being which has a personality separate and distinct from the...

I. Types of business entities - As a general rule, foreign equity is allowed to conduct and participate in business in the Philippines, through any of the following modes: 1. By investing in a domestic stock corporation. A domestic corporation is a corporation which is organized under Philippine law. It is an artificial being which has a personality separate and distinct from the...

President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law in 2019 Republic Act No. 11210, or the “105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law,” which extends paid maternity leave from 60 days to 105 days.

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the United States have recently come under strain after the US imposed a travel ban on the Philippines’ former national police chief, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, by revoking his visa. As justification for their decision, US officials have pointed to the detention of politician and human rights activist Leila de Lima as well as the...

DOLE Issues Guidelines and Procedures for Work-Related Permits and Visas - New Order or Decree - On October 17, 2019, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) published an order providing guidelines on the issuance of a Certificate of No Objection (CNO).

Beginning September 3, 2019, 100% of the service charges collected by hotels, restaurants and similar establishments shall now be distributed equally among all covered workers, excluding managerial employees, pursuant to Republic Act No. 11360.

1. What constitutes sexual harassment? As per Republic Act No. 7877,1 work, education or training-related sexual harassment is committed by an employer, employee, manager, supervisor, agent of the employer, teacher, instructor, professor, coach, trainer, or any other person who, having authority, influence or moral ascendancy over another in a work or training or education environment,...

Expanded Maternity Leave Law - New Regulation or Official Guidance - Pursuant to Section 19 of Republic Act No. 11210, also known as the “105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law,” the Department of Labor and Employment issued the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the law, which paved the way for its full implementation.

I. Types of business entities - As a general rule, foreign equity is allowed to conduct and participate in business in the Philippines, through any of the following modes: 1. By investing in a domestic stock corporation. A domestic corporation is a corporation which is organized under Philippine law. It is an artificial being which has a personality separate and distinct from the...

The “105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law,” which became effective on March 8, 2019, extends maternity leave benefits to all female workers in the government and private sectors, including those in the informal economy, regardless of civil status or child’s legitimacy.

Rules and Regulations of New Occupational Health and Safety Law - New Regulation or Official Guidance - On December 6, 2018, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued Department Order No. 198, otherwise known as An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof.

The Data Privacy Act of 2012 or Republic Act No. 10173, with its Implementing Rules and Regulations, was promulgated in response to the freer exchange of personal data in the global stage and the setting of international standards for data protection. Prior to the Act, without so much as regulatory oversight for data collectors or protective measures for the data subject, the wealth of personal...

Executive Order Aims to Curb Prohibited Labor-Only Contracting - New Order or Decree - On May 2, 2018, the President released Executive Order No. 51 as part of the current administration’s efforts to curb prohibited labor-only contracting.

1 .What role will the government of the Philippines play in approving and regulating foreign direct investment? The following Philippine government agencies are involved in approving and/or regulating foreign direct investments into the Philippines: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) exercises jurisdiction and supervision over all corporations, partnerships, or associations doing...

Pact Advances Ongoing Collaboration to Combat Job Bias - WASHINGTON - The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines have officially committed to continuing to work together to combat employment discrimination, the EEOC announced today. In a ceremony at the Philippine Embassy today, EEOC Acting Chair Victoria A. Lipnic and Philippine...

DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PHILIPPINE FINTECH SECTOR - The combination of low levels of financial inclusion, a steadily growing GDP and high smart phone usage has resulted in the Philippines becoming a key market in Asia for venture capital and private equity investors, as well as strategic players looking for investment or product rollout opportunities in the FinTech sector. The Philippine...

Persons With Disabilities May Now Be Declared as Dependents for Tax Purposes - Enacted Legislation - Republic Act No. 10754, enacted on March 23, 2016 and effective on December 23, 2016, expanded the benefits of persons with disability (PWDs) to include PWDs who are within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to the taxpayer, regardless of age, who are not gainfully...

The Philippines has been identified by the U.S. as a “major money-laundering country” in the 2017 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (“Report”), published this month. The country now joins 87 others as one “whose financial institutions engage in currency transactions involving significant amounts of proceeds from international narcotics trafficking.” See 22 U.S.C. § 2291(e)(7).

A Philippines bitcoin startup, Coins, recently announced a $5 million investment from global investors, to help it expand its reach to underbanked communities in Southeast Asia. The Series A round is a big shot in the arm to the fledgling company as it seeks to expand its reach throughout Southeast Asia and beyond to reach as many as 600 million customers.

On August, 24, 2016, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service released an annual report on the Philippines' biofuel industry and ethanol imports. In January 2007, The Biofuels Act or Republic Act (RA 9367) was signed, creating biofuels legislation in the Philippines that now mandate a ten percent ethanol blend and a two percent biodiesel blend.

The Philippine Competition Commission has implemented compulsory merger control, while other Philippine antitrust provisions await full application. The world’s 12th most populous nation joins the global antitrust community - Last summer the Republic of the Philippines became one of the last APEC Member Countries to adopt a comprehensive modern antitrust law. Although some limited...

Though not a party to the Hague Evidence Convention, the Philippines permits voluntary depositions of willing witnesses, regardless of the nationality of the witness. The Philippines imposes no restrictions nor requirements as to where such depositions can be taken. In addition, for U.S. citizens, the Philippines does not require a visa for stays of under 30 days.

WHAT ROLE WILL THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES PLAY IN APPROVING AND REGULATING FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT? The following Philippine government agencies are involved in approving and/or regulating foreign direct investments into the Philippines: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) exercises jurisdiction and supervision over all corporations, partnerships, or associations doing...

The Philippine bond market differs significantly from other markets, but is expected to change as growth continues. Philippine companies have become avid borrowers of funds provided by the international high yield bond market, characterized in Asia by bonds denominated in US dollars without an investment-grade rating. In fact, Philippine companies issued US$11.4 billion of such bonds in...

1. What role does the government of the Philippines play in approving and regulating foreign direct investment? The following Philippine government agencies are involved in approving and/or regulating foreign direct investments into the Philippines: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) exercises jurisdiction and supervision over all corporations, partnerships, or...

The world has recently witnessed some of the most catastrophic natural events in human history — extreme hurricanes, severe droughts, and unexpected hailstorms, among others — causing economic and social disruption. The Philippines has not been spared, having experienced fierce typhoons over the past several years. Many attribute these extreme weather conditions to global warming or climate...