Author: Mark Virgil Lofranco

In Cebu’s fast-growing economy, entrepreneurs are seizing opportunities in retail, outsourcing, tourism, and technology. But while many business owners focus on sales and expansion, one crucial element is often overlooked: bookkeeping. As lawyers often advise clients: proper bookkeeping is not just about numbers—it is about compliance, accountability, and protection from legal risks. Whether you run…

When launching a startup, one of the most important legal decisions you will make is selecting the proper business structure. This choice determines not only how your company will be taxed, but also how liability, ownership, and growth opportunities will be managed. As lawyers often emphasize: your business structure is the legal foundation on which…

One of the earliest and most crucial steps in starting a business is choosing the right name. But before printing business cards or creating a logo, you must ask a vital legal question: “Is my business name available?” As lawyers often caution: a great name without legal clearance can lead to rejection, penalties, or even…

Choosing and registering a business name is one of the first—and most important—steps every entrepreneur must take. Your business name is more than just a label; it is your brand identity, your legal signature, and your shield against disputes. As lawyers often remind clients: an unregistered name is vulnerable, while a registered one is protected…

Starting a business is an exciting journey, but before you open your doors or launch online, one crucial step must not be overlooked: legal registration. Many entrepreneurs hesitate, thinking registration is just paperwork or added expense. In reality, registering your business is not just a legal requirement—it is a strategic decision that offers long-term protection…

One of the first questions entrepreneurs ask when starting a venture is: “How long will it take to register my business?” The answer depends on several factors—chief among them the type of business structure you choose, the completeness of your documents, and the agencies involved. As lawyers often remind clients: timelines in business registration are…

Registering a business is a vital step for any entrepreneur. Done correctly, it gives your enterprise legal recognition, credibility, and protection. Done incorrectly—or worse, not done at all—it can lead to penalties, wasted resources, or even the closure of your venture. As lawyers often remind clients: an error at the registration stage can have long-term…

When starting a business, one of the most important legal decisions an entrepreneur must make is choosing the right business structure. In the Philippines, the two most common forms are Sole Proprietorship and Corporation. Each structure carries its own set of legal implications, advantages, and risks. As a lawyer would advise, the right choice depends…

Starting a business is more than just pursuing a passion or seizing a market opportunity—it is a legal undertaking that requires proper structure and recognition. Many entrepreneurs underestimate the importance of business registration, but as any lawyer will tell you, operating without the necessary licenses and permits can expose you to serious risks. In this…

In the Philippines, entrepreneurship has always been dominated by sole proprietorships because of their simplicity and affordability. However, one recurring concern of small business owners is unlimited liability—meaning the debts of the business automatically become the debts of the owner. To address this, the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 11232) introduced…