Mastercard backs Google Pay rollout in the Philippines market

Insider Spotlight

• Google Pay launches in the Philippines with Mastercard support
• Rollout starts with Chinabank, EastWest, GCash, RCBC and Zed cardholders
• Tokenized, contactless payments aim to speed up digital adoption
• Mastercard aligns launch with its 100 percent tokenization vision
  
  

Mastercard has teamed up with Google to bring Google Pay to the Philippines, allowing select Mastercard cardholders to make secure contactless payments in stores, online and in apps using eligible Android devices.

Why it matters

The launch deepens Mastercard’s push to grow the country’s digital economy and supports its global goal of achieving 100 percent tokenization and 100 percent authentication for digital transactions —ensuring every purchase is protected end to end.

Google Pay is built on Mastercard’s tokenization technology, which replaces sensitive card details with a unique token stored on the user’s device and bound within a cryptogram. 

That means actual account numbers are never shared when Filipinos tap to pay in-store or transact online, reducing fraud risk while keeping payments fast and convenient.

What’s new

Mastercard cardholders from select issuers can now add their cards to the Google Wallet app and pay with Google Pay in stores using NFC-enabled Android phones, as well as in apps and on websites. 

The initial rollout covers Chinabank Mastercard Credit Card, EastWest Bank Mastercard Credit Card, GCash via its Tap to Pay feature, RCBC Mastercard Credit Card and Zed Mastercard Credit Card. More partner banks are expected to follow.

“We’re proud to work with Mastercard to bring faster, convenient and more secure payments to the Philippines. This launch underscores our enduring commitment to accelerating financial inclusion and fueling the next chapter of the Philippines’ dynamic digital economy,” Prep Palacios, country manager of Google Philippines, said in a press release on Nov. 19, 2025.

"The highly anticipated arrival of Google Pay marks a pivotal moment for the Philippines’ financial ecosystem," said Jason Crasto, country manager of Mastercard Philippines. 

“This innovation not only simplifies everyday payments but also accelerates the country’s journey toward a digitally inclusive economy, where secure, tokenized transactions become the norm for all," he added.

The big picture

The partnership aligns with rising consumer preference for tap-and-go payments in the Philippines, as more merchants deploy contactless terminals and more Filipinos embrace mobile-first lifestyles.

Mastercard frames Google Pay’s entry as another step toward making secure, tokenized digital payments a standard option for everyday spending across the country. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S Narisma