The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto and newly appointed Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairperson Francis Lim have committed to fast-tracking key reform initiatives aimed at improving the ease of doing business and strengthening the country’s capital markets.
The SEC, operating under the supervision of the Department of Finance (DOF), plays a crucial role in protecting investors, maintaining fair and efficient markets, and promoting capital formation through corporate registration, market supervision, and enforcement of securities laws.
During their recent meeting, Recto and Lim aligned on pushing forward President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to boost the competitiveness of Philippine capital markets and attract more investments.
One of the SEC’s top priorities is the effective rollout of the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA), a major reform designed to increase investor participation and reduce transaction inefficiencies.
In parallel, the SEC is strengthening oversight of crypto asset service providers (CASPs) to protect consumers from systemic risks, promote regulatory compliance, and build trust in digital financial ecosystems.
Chairperson Lim also affirmed the SEC’s strong commitment to implementing the Ease of Doing Business Act. As part of this, the Commission is developing a real-time application tracking system to improve transparency and eliminate the need for constant client follow-ups.
To enhance user experience, the SEC will review its Schedule of Fees, reduce the cost of acquiring requested documents, and implement a temporary moratorium on fee increases.