Philippine business law updates: what changed
This page tracks the Philippine laws, wage orders and agency rules that change how foreign-owned companies register, pay staff and file reports. Every entry links to its primary source, so you can check the wording before you act.
October 2026
Central Visayas minimum wage rises on 14 October 2026
Wage Order RO VII-27, NWPC Region VII (Central Visayas)
The daily minimum wage rises to ₱582 for Class A and ₱542 for Class B, effective 14 October 2026.
Who is affected: Employers with staff in Central Visayas (Region VII), including Cebu.
September 2026
Metro Manila minimum wage rises to ₱755 a day
Wage Order NCR-28, NWPC National Capital Region
The non-agriculture minimum wage in Metro Manila is ₱755 a day, effective 26 September 2026.
Who is affected: Employers with staff in the National Capital Region (Metro Manila).
BIR sets 31 December 2026 e-invoicing deadline
BIR Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 98-2026
Covered taxpayers, including e-commerce sellers, large taxpayers and taxpayers using computerized accounting or invoicing systems, must issue electronic invoices on or before 31 December 2026. Micro taxpayers are excluded.
Who is affected: Foreign-owned companies that sell online, are classified as large taxpayers, or use a computerized accounting or invoicing system.
2027 regular and special holidays proclaimed
Proclamation No. 1427, s. 2026
Declares the regular and special days for 2027, including Chinese New Year on 6 February 2027.
Who is affected: Employers planning 2027 payroll and leave, because holiday pay depends on how each day is classified.
Read our guideSource: Proclamation No. 1427, s. 2026 (Lawphil)
April 2026
Foreign Investment Negative List updated (EO 113)
Executive Order No. 113, s. 2026 (signed 13 April 2026)
Adopts the 13th Regular Foreign Investment Negative List, which sets the investment areas reserved to Philippine nationals.
Who is affected: Foreign investors choosing a Philippine entity structure, because the list limits foreign ownership in reserved areas.
Read our guideSource: Executive Order No. 113, s. 2026 (Lawphil)
October 2025
Anti-POGO Act bans offshore gaming operations
Republic Act No. 12312 (Anti-POGO Act of 2025)
Bans offshore gaming operations in the Philippines and permanently withdraws the POGO licenses, alien employment permits and visas tied to them.
Who is affected: Corporations whose stated purposes include prohibited gaming must amend their articles within 30 days or risk losing their registration.
September 2025
Metallic mining fiscal regime sets royalty and windfall tax rates
Republic Act No. 12253 (Enhanced Fiscal Regime for Large-Scale Metallic Mining Act)
Sets a margin-based royalty of 1% to 5% and a windfall profits tax of 1% to 10% on large-scale metallic mining.
Who is affected: Companies in large-scale metallic mining, including foreign-owned operators.
E-Governance Act requires online portals for local governments
Republic Act No. 12254 (E-Governance Act)
Requires local government units to set up an online portal or adopt the DICT eLGU system, with one year for LGUs that cannot build their own.
Who is affected: Foreign-owned companies dealing with local government offices, which will move more transactions online.
Foreign investors can lease private land for up to 99 years
Republic Act No. 12252 (amending the Investors' Lease Act)
Lets a foreign investor with a sanctioned, registered investment lease private land for up to 99 years, with the lease recorded and noted on the land title.
Who is affected: Foreign investors with a sanctioned, registered investment that needs private land.
August 2025
Konektadong Pinoy Act sets an open-access framework for data transmission
Republic Act No. 12234 (Konektadong Pinoy Act), lapsed into law
Creates an open-access framework for data transmission and subjects foreign entrants to the sector to the Foreign Investment Act.
Who is affected: Foreign companies considering data transmission or telecom services in the Philippines.
May 2025
Capital markets law sets a 20% final tax on interest income
Republic Act No. 12214 (Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act)
Sets a 20% final tax on interest from bank deposits, a stock transaction tax of 1/10 of 1%, and documentary stamp tax of 75% of 1% on original share issues.
Who is affected: Foreign-owned companies earning interest income or issuing new shares, because the stamp tax applies to original share issues.
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