Insider Spotlight
Speaking before business leaders in Taguig City on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, Lim said the SEC's thrust centers on speed of service without sacrificing trust.
He said the regulator is strengthening fundamentals businesses value most, including clear rules, reliable processes, and accountability that sustains confidence even amid economic shocks.
Why it matters
Faster approvals and lower costs directly affect how quickly companies can incorporate, amend records, and raise capital. The SEC’s reforms are designed to remove red tape that historically discouraged investment, while reinforcing enforcement to protect market integrity.
What’s changing
The commission has tightened service standards so complete applications are approved within three working days for simple matters, seven for complex, and twenty for highly technical filings. The principle of “deemed approved” now applies when legal requirements are met, subject to post-approval audit.
Digitalization is also expanding. Its OneSEC system now enables end-to-end online incorporation across 81 company types, including foreign-owned entities, up from 33 previously. What once took days or weeks can now be approved in under two hours for complete applications, with online registrations rising sharply in the second half of 2025.
The SEC also broadened its online amendment portal from four to 28 simple processing items, cutting turnaround times that previously stretched for months.
On integrity
Lim stressed that speed must not weaken enforcement. Recent actions, he said, show the regulator will move forcefully when needed to restore investor confidence.
“For us, integrity is the invisible currency of our markets,” he said, warning that eroded trust hurts valuations of publicly listed firms.
Lowering the cost of doing business
Fees have been frozen and reduced. Charges for official documents were cut by 50 percent, saving the public over P110 million in 2025. Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) benefited from discounts that saved more than P34 million on registrations and over P211 million on capital stock increases, while non-MSMEs saved over P10 million from discounted registration statement fees.
Capital raising and sustainability
The SEC is streamlining exempt transactions and enforcing a strict 45-day review for public offerings, with average turnaround now at 35 to 40 days.
Reforms also expanded eligible real estate investment trust assets and extended reinvestment periods, while sustainability efforts advanced through new green equity guidelines.
What to watch
Lim said the balance the SEC is building is “ease that enables, and integrity that protects,” signaling more reforms ahead as the regulator seeks deeper partnerships with the private sector. — Daxim L. Lucas | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
