Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chair Francis Ed. Lim says the country must act now to create a market where innovation is nurtured and rewarded.
“Our challenge now is to create the ecosystem where this talent thrives here at home,” Lim said in his keynote address at the Manila Tech Summit 2025, delivered on August 27 at Shangri-La The Fort, Bonifacio Global City.
Filipino talent at the forefront
He used the gathering of technology leaders and innovators to highlight Filipino contributions to global tech and finance.
“Filipinos have led in digital innovation—not just at home, but on the global stage. We see it in Silicon Valley, where Filipino engineers have helped build some of the world’s biggest tech firms,” Lim said.
“Our very own and my kababayan in Cagayan, Dado Banatao, pioneered the chipset that made the personal computer possible. We see it in fintech hubs like Singapore and New York, where Filipino professionals are trusted leaders in banking, compliance, and cybersecurity,” he added.
Regulation as a growth platform
Lim said the SEC sees regulation as a platform for innovation, offering fintech firms a regulatory sandbox—a controlled environment where companies can test new financial products and services under supervision without immediately facing full regulatory requirements.
He noted that strict disclosure rules and global standards aim to level the playing field, protect investors, and open opportunities abroad.
Lim urged industry leaders to boost cybersecurity, ensure transparency, and join pilot programs, stressing the SEC’s firm but innovation-friendly approach.
He added that strong collaboration could make the Philippines a digital finance leader, with a more inclusive and globally competitive capital market built on trust and Filipino talent.
—Edited by Miguel R. Camus
