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 …
Corporations have been a staple in growing economies owing to various reasons including limited liability and greater access to capital as compared to other business vehicles. With such a significant role in business and the economy, corporations are vested with the need to maintain accurate and organized internal records. In the Philippines, every corporation is …
On 24 July 2025, to further boost its commitment to ease of doing business in the country, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a SEC Memorandum Circular No. 09 series of 2025. The SEC MC No. 09 provides guidelines to further streamlining the 45-day registration statement review process under the Markets and Securities Regulation Department …
CMEPA at a Glance Area Before CMEPA After CMEPA Stock Transaction Tax (STT) 0.6% on sale of listed shares 0.1% flat rate on sale of listed shares Capital Gains Tax 15% on unlisted domestic shares only; foreign shares taxed up to 35% 15% flat rate on both unlisted domestic and foreign shares Interest Income Subject …
In a significant ruling that refines the evidentiary standards in automated payroll systems, the Philippine Supreme Court addressed when salaries are deemed paid under bank auto-credit arrangements. While the Court did not create new law, it applied existing doctrines to a modern payroll context and emphasized the necessity of concrete, corroborative proof when salary payments …
In a landmark ruling with significant implications for labor classification, the Supreme Court held in Escauriaga v. Fitness First Philippines, Inc. (2024) that workers classified by their employer as “freelance personal trainers” were, in truth, regular employees under the Labor Code. The Court emphasized that the substance of the work relationship—not the contractual label—determines employee status. The petitioners—fitness trainers …
SUPREME COURT CLARIFIES: “FREELANCERS” MAY BE CONSIDERED AS REGULAR EMPLOYEES Read More »
On 10 January 2024, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (“BIR”) issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (“RMC”) No. 5-2024 which clarifies the tax treatment of cross-border services based on the case of Aces Philippines Cellular Satellite Corp. v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, G.R. No. 22668, 30 August 2022. Aces Philippines Cellular Satellite Corporation (“Aces Philippines”) and Aces International …
Philippines Taxes Offshore Services: What your Business Needs to Know! Read More »
The SEC is taking additional steps toward going paperless. Under new SEC Memorandum Circular No. 3, 2005, all domestic stock corporations—excluding lending and financing companies—are now mandated to register through the SEC’s new fully online, paperless company registration systems. ZERO stands for Zuper Easy Registration Online, a digital platform that lets users register their companies …
SEC Rolls Out ZERO: A Fully Digital, Paperless Registration System Read More »
Tax exemptions, being in derogation of the State’s inherent power to tax, are strictly construed against the taxpayer. Thus, when one is upheld, it is not merely a legal triumph — it is a cause for celebration. In G.R. No. 262092 (October 9, 2024), the Supreme Court ruled that a foreign currency deposit — specifically an HSBC …
Supreme Court Affirms: Foreign Currency Deposits Exempt from Estate Tax Read More »
Revenue Regulations No. 3-2025 (RR No. 3-2025), issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on January 16, 2025, provides the implementing rules and guidelines for Republic Act No. 12023, also known as the “VAT on Digital Services Act.” This regulation operationalizes the imposition of a 12% Value-Added Tax (VAT) on digital services in the …
Philippines- An Overview of VAT on Digital Services Read More »
