Category: Blog

  • PEZA Registration Benefits: Tax Incentives Every Investor Should Know

    PEZA Registration Benefits: Tax Incentives Every Investor Should Know

    For investors looking to maximize returns while operating legally in the Philippines, PEZA registration is one of the most powerful tools available. As a lawyer advising local and foreign investors, I often say this plainly: PEZA incentives are not loopholes—they are government-granted benefits for compliant businesses. Understanding these incentives before you invest can make a…

  • What Is PEZA Registration and Why Businesses Apply for It

    What Is PEZA Registration and Why Businesses Apply for It

    For many growing businesses in the Philippines—especially exporters, IT companies, and foreign investors—PEZA registration is not just an incentive, it is a strategic advantage. As a lawyer advising companies on investment structuring and compliance, I often explain PEZA this way: PEZA registration is where tax efficiency meets legal certainty. But what exactly is PEZA, and…

  • How Professional Assistance Speeds Up SEC Registration in Cebu

    How Professional Assistance Speeds Up SEC Registration in Cebu

    Running an online business or startup in Cebu is exciting—fast growth, digital reach, and endless opportunities. But legally speaking, speed without compliance is a risk. As a lawyer assisting startups and online entrepreneurs, I often see this pattern: Entrepreneurs want fast SEC approval—but file slowly because of avoidable mistakes. The truth is simple: professional assistance…

  • SEC Registration for Online Businesses and Startups

    SEC Registration for Online Businesses and Startups

    Selling online. Offering digital services. Running a startup from home. Many entrepreneurs assume that because a business is online, it is somehow exempt from registration. From a legal standpoint, that assumption is risky—and often wrong. As a lawyer advising startups and digital entrepreneurs in the Philippines, I make this clear: An online business is still…

  • Preparing SEC Documents: Articles of Incorporation Explained

    Preparing SEC Documents: Articles of Incorporation Explained

    If SEC registration is the gateway to doing business legally, then the Articles of Incorporation is the most important document you will ever submit. As a lawyer assisting entrepreneurs and corporations in the Philippines, I can say this with certainty: Most SEC delays, rejections, and future legal problems trace back to poorly prepared Articles of…

  • SEC Registration vs DTI Registration: What’s the Difference?

    SEC Registration vs DTI Registration: What’s the Difference?

    One of the first legal decisions every entrepreneur in the Philippines must make is this: “SEC ba or DTI ang kailangan ko?” As a lawyer assisting startups and growing businesses, I see this confusion almost daily. Choosing the wrong registration can delay operations, expose you to liability, or force costly corrections later. Let’s clarify—clearly, legally,…

  • How SEC Registration Protects Business Owners from Personal Liability

    How SEC Registration Protects Business Owners from Personal Liability

    One lawsuit. One unpaid obligation. One unhappy client. For many entrepreneurs, that’s all it takes to turn a promising business into a personal financial nightmare—if the business is not properly registered. As a lawyer advising business owners in the Philippines, I often remind clients of this hard truth: If your business is not SEC-registered, your…

  • Foreign-Owned Companies: SEC Registration Rules in the Philippines

    Foreign-Owned Companies: SEC Registration Rules in the Philippines

    Foreign investors are welcome in the Philippines—but not without rules. As a lawyer handling foreign-owned company registrations, I often remind clients of this key principle: Foreign ownership is allowed, but only within the limits set by Philippine law. If you are a foreign national or a Philippine company with foreign shareholders, registration with the Securities…

  • SEC Name Verification: How to Avoid Rejected Business Names

    SEC Name Verification: How to Avoid Rejected Business Names

    One of the most underestimated steps in business registration is also the most common cause of delay—SEC name verification. As a lawyer assisting entrepreneurs in the Philippines, I often say this upfront: Your registration does not fail because of paperwork—it fails because of your business name. Before the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) even looks…

  • What Happens If You Operate a Business Without SEC Registration?

    What Happens If You Operate a Business Without SEC Registration?

    Many entrepreneurs start with passion, ideas, and clients—but skip one critical step: SEC registration. As a lawyer handling business compliance cases in the Philippines, I often see this question raised after problems arise: “Ano bang mangyayari kung nag-ooperate ako without SEC registration?” The legal answer is simple but serious: operating without SEC registration exposes your…