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| Facade of SEC Main Office in Mandaluyong City, Philippines |
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine businesses, from budding startups to established corporations, are set to benefit from a significant reduction in the cost of obtaining vital corporate documents. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced a 50% cut in fees for both authenticated and plain copies of various official documents, effective this July 2025. This decisive action, formalized through SEC Memorandum Circular No. 6, Series of 2025, marks a concerted effort to foster a more accessible and efficient business environment across the nation.
The fee reduction applies to a broad range of frequently requested corporate documents. For instance, authenticated physical copies of company filings—such as Articles of Incorporation (AOI) and By-laws, General Information Sheets (GIS), or resolutions—will now cost Php1,000 each, down from the previous Php2,000. Plain copies of these same documents are now priced at Php750, a substantial drop from Php1,500. Similarly, the per-page rate for other authenticated documents has been halved to Php50, with plain copies now at Php25 per page.
The move extends to digital copies as well, reflecting the SEC’s accelerating push towards paperless transactions. Authenticated digital copies of key documents are now Php625, down from Php1,250, while plain digital copies are Php375, a reduction from Php750. SEC Chairperson Francisco Ed. Lim emphasized that this reduction aligns with the commission's commitment to "a fair and sustainable pricing mechanism to allow for greater access to corporate data, while avoiding undue financial burden to the corporate sector and the general public."
This fee adjustment is a component of a larger digital transformation agenda by the SEC. The commission has fully deployed its SEC Zuper Easy Registration Online (SEC ZERO) system, an online platform for company registration that integrates with other digital tools for authentication and submission. This system eliminates the need for hardcopy submissions and physical notarization, streamlining the process for new business registrations. Furthermore, the Electronic Application for Modification of Entity Data (eAMEND) Portal became mandatory on February 23, 2025, facilitating digital submissions for amendments to articles of incorporation and by-laws.
Industry experts widely view the fee reduction as a positive development. Analysts note that lowering the financial barrier to accessing corporate information will make it easier for businesses, investors, and researchers to conduct due diligence, assess market trends, and verify company data. This increased transparency and reduced cost are expected to improve the overall ease of doing business in the Philippines, benefiting particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who often face tight budgets for compliance and information gathering.
While digital platforms are now the preferred mode of transaction, the SEC assures continued support for walk-in clients, providing assistance for those navigating the new systems. This dual approach ensures that the benefits of digitalization reach all segments of the business community, contributing to a more robust and transparent corporate landscape nationwide.
