Admin GVES

Strategic Fintech Entry into Philippine Rural Banking via Acquisitions Under the Rural Bank Strengthening Act

Acquiring a rural bank under Republic Act No. 10574, the Rural Bank Strengthening Act (RBSA), provides fintech firms with one of the most efficient and strategic pathways to obtain a full banking charter, penetrate underserved rural markets, and build a scalable, compliant, and technology-driven financial institution deeply anchored in the principle of financial inclusion. This approach …

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Trademark vs. Trade Name: Legal Distinctions Under Philippine Law

Under Philippine law, a trademark and a trade name are distinct legal concepts governed by different rules and registration systems. The Intellectual Property Code (Republic Act No. 8293) defines a “mark” in Section 121.1 as any visible sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of an enterprise. This definition covers trademarks for goods and …

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Acquittal Does Not Extinguish Tax Liability: Supreme Court Reaffirms Independence of Criminal and Civil Tax Enforcement

Legal Updates, TAXATION / By Admin GVES

In a recent ruling in People v. E&D Parts Supply, Inc. and Margaret L. Uy, GR No. 259284, January 24, 2024 (published on January 24, 2025), a Supreme Court decision reiterating long-standing doctrine on the effect of acquittal in tax cases), the Supreme Court reaffirmed a fundamental rule in Philippine tax law: the acquittal of an accused …

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Supreme Court Clarifies VAT Zero-Rating Under the CREATE Act: Domestic Market Enterprises Are Entitled to Incentives

TAXATION, Legal Updates / By Admin GVES

In a landmark decision in The Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and Benjamin E. Antonio III v. Department of Finance, et al. (G.R. No. 266016, 4 February 2025), the Supreme Court struck down portions of the CREATE Act’s implementing rules and revenue issuances that attempted to limit VAT zero-rating exclusively to export enterprises. The Court …

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Philippines Bold Move: Introducing The Digital Nomad Visa For Foreign Remote Workers To Boost The Country’s Tourism And Economic Growth.

Announcements, Travel / By Admin GVES

Technology and people’s lifestyle are deeply connected, progressing hand in hand to push forward for innovation and growth. By embracing this trend, the Philippines has taken a significant step towards accepting the digital age with the signing of Executive Order No. 86 (“Authorizing the Issuance of Digital Nomad Visa”), by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. This …

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A Turning Point in Foreclosure Law: How UCPB v. Ang Rewrites the Rules on Banking Power

Legal Updates / By Admin GVES

In a previous decision made by the Supreme Court in UCPB v. Ang G.R. No. 222448(2021) the court ruled that a foreclosure proceeding due to non-payment of the loan may be held valid even if it is proved that the interest rates imposed by the lender were improper and unlawful. The court rationed that regardless …

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BSP Limits Over-the-Counter Cash Withdrawals Above ₱500,000.00

Corporate, Compliance, Finance / By Admin GVES

On 18 September 2025, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) issued Circular No. 1218-2025 (the “Circular”) amending certain provisions of the Manual of Regulations for Banks (MORB) and Manual of Regulations for Non-Bank Financial Institutions (MORNBFI). Specifically, Circular No. 1218-2025 provides restrictions on large value payouts, or transactions (such as withdrawals) of more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php500,000.00), and mandates the implementation …

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The Digital Turn: How the E-Governance Act Transforms PH Government

Announcements, Legal Updates, Technology / By Admin GVES

On September 5, 2025, President Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12254, also known as the E-Governance Act, formalizing the Philippine government’s shift to digital governance. In order to improve the overall delivery of public services through information and communications technology (ICT), decrease bureaucratic delays, foster transparency, and safeguard data privacy, the measure aims to …

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What is the hype about TRUSTMARK and what it means for your online business?

Announcements, Compliance, Corporate, Technology / By Admin GVES

Republic Act No. 11967, or the “Internet Transactions Act of 2023”, was enacted on 05 December 2023 to promote and strengthen e-commerce in the Philippines by building trust between online merchants and consumers. One of its key innovations is the creation of the E-Commerce Bureau, which was tasked to implement the E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark, a …

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SC Upholds Arbitration Framework: CIAC Jurisdiction Limited to True Construction Disputes

Corporate, Legal Updates / By Admin GVES

In 2025, the Philippine Supreme Court reaffirmed the importance of respecting arbitration agreements while also clarifying the limits of CIAC’s jurisdiction. While the CIAC’s authority is statutory under Executive Order No. 1008, the Court emphasized that it remains confined to disputes arising from construction contracts, broadly construed but not beyond their intended scope. In Fleet Marine …

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