Jurisdictions Hub ❯ Philippines Philippines Verification & Risk Requirements
Overview
How company verification works in the Philippines
Company registration and filings are maintained by national authorities, with records available through official systems.
See Overview
Challenges
Key verification constraints and limitations
Ownership and corporate data may be limited or fragmented across sources.
See Challenges
Requirements
Information and documentation typically required
Company registration details, authorised representative information, and supporting filings.
See Requirements
Resources
Guidance and reading for the Philippines jurisdiction
Official sources and reference material for verifying Philippines-registered companies.
See ResourcesOverview Philippines KYB Jurisdiction Overview
While core registration data is available through official sources, ownership and control information is neither fully centralised nor consistently disclosed. As a result, verifying Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) and assessing ongoing risk may require additional documentation and supplementary screening.
This jurisdiction profile summarises the key facts relevant to verifying companies in the Philippines.
Challenges When Verifying Companies In Philippines
Limited Beneficial Ownership Disclosure
The Philippines does not operate a fully public, centralised beneficial ownership register. UBO information is not consistently available in standard registry records and may require additional disclosures.
Shareholding and Control Structures
Companies may have multiple shareholders, corporate shareholders, or foreign participation. Layered ownership structures can increase the complexity of ownership and control assessment.
Timeliness of Changes and Monitoring
Updates to company information, such as directors, officers, or the registered address, may not be reflected immediately across all official sources, underscoring the importance of ongoing monitoring.
Language and Interpretation of Filings
Corporate filings are primarily maintained in English. However, the format, depth, and consistency of disclosures can vary, making careful interpretation necessary when reviewing registry information.
Connected Entities and Group Relationships
Companies may be part of wider corporate groups or maintain relationships with related entities. These connections are not always apparent from a single registry record and may require further analysis to clarify ownership links.
Risk Signals Beyond the Registry
Certain risk indicators, such as regulatory actions, litigation, or adverse media, may not be captured in standard registry data and may require supplementary screening sources.
Requirements For Philippines KYB
Essential Identifiers for Companies in Philippines
The Philippines uses a defined set of identifiers to match companies to official registry and government records.
Company Registration Number
Issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the registration number uniquely identifies each registered entity and serves as the primary reference for registry searches and filings.
Registered Company Name
The entity’s legal name as recorded with the SEC. Verification should match the officially registered name.
Legal Entity Type and Registration Status
The Philippines recognises multiple entity types, including domestic corporations, partnerships, and branches of foreign corporations. Confirming the correct entity type and current registration status is essential for accurate KYB.
Registered Address
Each company must maintain a registered address in the Philippines, which forms part of the official registry record.
Directors and Corporate Officers
Registry filings include details of directors and corporate officers, along with supporting governance and authority checks.
Common Public Documents Available in Philippines
The availability of corporate documents in the Philippines depends on the entity type and regulatory scope.
General Information Sheet (GIS)
A standard filing containing key company details, including directors, officers, shareholders (subject to disclosure rules), and the registered address.
Certificate of Incorporation
Issued upon registration, confirming the company’s legal existence
Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws
Outlining the company’s purpose, capital structure, and governance framework.
Shareholder Information
Shareholder details may be available through filings such as the GIS, subject to statutory disclosure requirements.
Historical Filing Records
Registry records may include historical changes to directors, the registered address, capital structure, or company status.
Official Sources of Corporate Information
Corporate information in the Philippines is published and maintained by national authorities and relevant regulators.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
The primary corporate registry is responsible for company registration records, filings, and official extracts.
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
Maintains tax registration information, which may be used to validate business status.
Sector Regulators
Certain industries (e.g. banking, insurance, utilities) are overseen by additional regulatory authorities, which may publish supplementary licensing or supervisory information.
Judicial and Enforcement Databases
Separate public systems provide access to court records and enforcement actions, supporting broader risk assessment and due diligence checks.
Resources Compliance insights, explained
Solutions How AsiaVerify Supports KYB in Philippines
Real-time Registry Connection
AsiaVerify connects to authoritative sources to retrieve key company information and filing updates, helping teams validate entities using current, source-backed data.
Directors & Shareholders Data
Access structured data on key people and ownership where available, supporting clearer review of decision-critical relationships and changes over time.
Automated Document Retrieval
Retrieve supporting documents and filing records from the official sources, when available, to reduce back-and-forth and speed up evidence collection.
AI-assisted Translation & Normalisation
AsiaVerify uses AI to structure, normalise, and translate the registry data where required, aligning disparate inputs into a consistent, review-ready format for reliable KYB decisions.
UBO Mapping & Ownership Analysis
AsiaVerify reconstructs ownership layers using disclosed shareholder information and historical filings, helping teams identify controlling individuals and entities even in complex, multi-tier structures.
AML & Sanctions Screening
Entities, shareholders, and legal representatives are screened against sanctions lists, enforcement lists, and adverse media to support AML and CTF obligations across APAC.
API, Portal and Bulk Access
Teams can integrate real-time verification via the API, run checks on-demand in the portal, or process high volumes via bulk upload, ensuring KYB workflows align with operational needs.
Ongoing Monitoring & Alerts
AsiaVerify continuously monitors changes to business status, registered details, shareholders, scope, and penalties, alerting teams when regulatory or structural changes occur.
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