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 …
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 …
A Turning Point in Foreclosure Law: How UCPB v. Ang Rewrites the Rules on Banking Power Read More »
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 …
The Digital Turn: How the E-Governance Act Transforms PH Government Read More »
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 …
On 20 July 2024, the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (“AFASA”) was passed to promote awareness and to protect the public from cybercriminals and criminal syndicates who target Financial Accounts or lure Account Owners into becoming accessories or perpetrators of fraudulent activities. Some of the key provisions of the AFASA are Sections 12, 13, and 14 …
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 …
This case serves as a valuable lesson in property law and contracts, particularly in distinguishing a Contract of Sale from a Contract to Sell—a crucial distinction in real estate transactions. The Supreme Court clarified how courts must determine the nature of a property agreement not by labels used by the parties, but by analyzing the intent, obligations, and documentary …
No Sale Yet: SC Draws the Line in Chavez Jr. v. Gopez Real Estate Dispute Read More »
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 …
