“Let’s also be honest: the Philippine capital market has been lagging behind,” Lim, a former president of the Philippine Stock Exchange, said during the turnover ceremony on Tuesday.
He vowed to push modernization, faster action, and stronger collaboration with industry stakeholders.
“We will leave no stone unturned to catch up—and with God’s help and our collective will, we will lead. This means working not only within the SEC, but with partners such as the [Philippine Stock Exchange and Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp.], non-governmental organizations, and the three branches of government to push for meaningful reforms,” Lim said.
Action over aspiration
Lim thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and outgoing chairperson Emilio Aquino, saying he will carry forward the SuperVision 2028 roadmap. But he emphasized action over aspiration: “Vision without delivery is simply aspiration. Execution is where we will focus our energies.”
Fixing what’s broken
Lim made it clear he won’t overhaul for the sake of change.
“I don’t believe in reinventing the wheel. We will build on what works—refine it, improve it, and scale it with urgency and discipline. Continuity in best practices is just as important as innovation,” he said.
Clearing the backlog
Lim said the agency’s top priority is to clear its backlog.
“Our first order of business is urgent and clear: resolve all pending applications quickly and responsibly. The law sets clear timeframes,” Lim said.
“While we recognize the complexity of our work, we must uphold the standards. If this means working nights, weekends, or holidays, then that is what public service demands,” he added.
No-nonsense but fair regulation
“I envision the SEC as a no-nonsense regulator—firm when necessary, but always fair, efficient, reliable, and professional,” Lim said.
He called for stronger accountability from private advisers: “Do not overpromise and underdeliver, then pass the blame to the SEC.” He promised support for business growth but warned of firm action when investor protection is at risk.
“We will definitely explore reasonable reductions in our fees, particularly for MSMEs. Regulation must support, not suffocate.”
SEC culture and values
Lim urged a cultural reset within the SEC.
“We will build a culture of respect, accountability, continuous learning, collaboration, excellence, and shared responsibility. That is what One SEC Family means.”
He told commissioners and department heads that clear, disciplined decision-making is vital.
“To our department heads: complete staff work is non-negotiable before matters reach the Commission En Banc. Concise, clear, and sound recommendations will make us better decision-makers,” Lim said.
“My students here from the Ateneo know what I mean. My colleagues here from ACCRALAW and the PSE know what I mean when I say: CSW—complete staff work,” he added.
