Starting Jan. 30, 2026, corporations required to submit BO disclosures must do so through HARBOR, which can be accessed directly at harbor.sec.gov.ph or via the SEC’s Electronic Filing and Submission Tool (eFAST).
Digital transparency push
HARBOR enables the secure submission and updating of beneficial ownership information and is fully integrated with eFAST, the Commission’s official portal for reportorial requirements.
The platform reduces manual handling of BO data, improving data quality and allowing regulators faster access to reliable information for compliance monitoring and inter-agency coordination.
“Beneficial ownership disclosures are a key transparency reform that supports good governance and helps prevent the misuse of corporate structures for illicit activities,” said SEC Chair Francis Lim in a press release.
“Through HARBOR, the SEC streamlines the filing process while strengthening BO data management, enabling the Commission to provide timely and meaningful support to partner agencies in lawful enforcement actions,” he added.
New GIS forms
Beneficial owners refer to natural persons who ultimately own or exercise effective control over a corporation, whether directly or indirectly.
Previously, companies submitted BO disclosures through eFAST as part of the General Information Sheet (GIS).
With the launch of HARBOR, the SEC has issued the 2026 version of the GIS, which removes the BO disclosure page to reflect the shift to a dedicated web-based registry. The new GIS forms are available through the SEC’s official channels.
Under the new system, companies will no longer need to re-submit identical BO declarations annually unless there are changes, such as the addition of new beneficial owners. Instead, filers will be required to revalidate previously submitted information.
Access requirements
To use HARBOR, filers must have an active account on the Electronic SEC Universal Registration Environment (eSECURE), the Commission’s digital passport for online services.
Only active and authorized eFAST filers may submit BO declarations through the platform.
FATF commitments
The launch of HARBOR implements SEC Memorandum Circular No. 15, Series of 2025, which issued the Revised Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Rules and authorized the establishment of a web-based BO registry.
The initiative supports the Philippines’ commitments to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and builds on earlier reforms that helped secure the country’s exit from the FATF grey list in February 2025, reinforcing ongoing efforts to sustain anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing improvements. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
