SEC seeks stronger ties between regulators and stakeholders 

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Wednesday called for stronger collaboration between regulators, industry leaders and innovators to accelerate the Philippines’ transition to a digital, inclusive capital market, according to a report by Manila Times.

Speaking at the Manila Tech Summit 2025 in Taguig City, SEC Chairman Francis Lim said the agency is committed to balancing innovation with investor protection, stressing that financial regulation must adapt to rapid technological developments without compromising market integrity.

“Technology is transforming finance at a breathtaking pace. But while the channels change, our duty as regulators does not. Markets must always be fair, transparent and safe for all,” Lim said in his keynote address.

He reiterated his office’s guiding principle of “same activity, same risk, same regulatory outcome,” adding that the SEC remains “technology-neutral, but never risk-blind.”

Initiatives

Lim highlighted several initiatives aimed to create an enabling environment for financial technology (fintech): the regulatory sandbox, which allows fintech firms to test products in a controlled setting; stronger disclosure and conduct rules to ensure transparency; and alignment with global standards to give Filipino companies access to international markets.

In June, the SEC approved the applications of Macodimarc Technology Corp. (Pluang PH) and G-Xchange Inc. (GCash) to participate in its regulatory sandbox.

“We do not see regulation as a brake on progress. We see it as a platform for innovation and growth,” Lim pointed out.

The head of the country’s corporate regulator also outlined his vision of a capital market that is “digital by design, inclusive by intent and trusted by all.”

This involves digital end-to-end filing systems to cut red tape, fractional investing and retirement-linked funds to widen participation and the use of data analytics for proactive supervision, he said.

“Ease of doing business and investor protection are not opposing goals — they are twin pillars of market confidence,” Lim noted.

Lim also talked about the role of local talent in driving the country’s fintech growth, citing the global success of Filipino engineers and professionals in Silicon Valley, Singapore and New York.

“These stories prove that the Filipino can compete — and win — on the global stage. Our challenge now is to create the ecosystem where this talent thrives here at home,” he said.

He likewise urged the private sector to strengthen cyber defenses, commit to fairness and transparency, particularly for small investors, and participate in pilot programs that will shape the future of finance.

“The SEC will do its part, regulating with integrity, firm but fair, open to innovation but always anchored on public interest,” he said.