In an announcement made on 4 March 2022, the Philippine National Privacy Commission officially extended the validity of all existing Certificates of Registration issued in 2021 from 8 March 2022 to 8 March 2023. For Certificates of Registration issued in 2020 or earlier, which are expiring this 8 March 2022, the NPC is directing all affected personal information controllers and personal information processors to renew their registration with the Commission.
On 3 February 2022, the Congress’ Bicameral Conference Committee approved a final version of the Bill that seeks to amend the Public Service Act with a view to limiting the foreign equity restrictions imposed by the Philippine Constitution on ‘public utilities.’
The updated Senate Bill (2094) introduces several changes to the earlier version, such as: (a) the inclusion of petroleum and petroleum products pipeline transmission or distribution systems, airports, seaports, public utility vehicles, and expressways and tollways among the list of public services considered as “public utilities,” subject to a 40% foreign ownership limit; and (b) the classification of telecommunications, air carriers, domestic shipping, railways and subways as “critical infrastructures” — not “public utilities” — which are exempt from the foreign ownership limitation but only if reciprocity is accorded to Filipino nationals through law or treaty.
On 10 December 2021, Republic Act No. 11595, otherwise known as “An Act amending Republic Act No. 8762 or the Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000 (RTLA), by lowering the paid-up capital requirement for foreign retail enterprises and other purposes” was signed into law. It removes the requirement for a Certificate of Prequalification and the need to show compliance with the criteria for prequalification under the RTLA to the Philippine Board of Investments, before a foreign retailer can invest in or engage in a retail trade business in the Philippines.
In this annual webinar series, we are putting a spotlight on warehousing arrangements. Our speakers will update you on legislative and customs developments, share insights into the current practices of authorities, and provide practical tips on how you can identify opportunities, maximize benefits and mitigate risks when utilizing these warehouses as part of your supply chain solutions.
In the Asia Pacific Competition update, we provide you with a practical overview of the most notable antitrust legal developments of the third quarter in 2021 that may affect your business.
To implement Section 35(b) of the Universal Healthcare Act, the Department of Health has issued Administrative Order No. 2021-0036 entitled ‘Guidelines on Compliance with Section 35(b) of [the UHC Act]: All Drug, Medical Device, Biological and Medical Supplies Manufacturers to Submit Reports on Disclosure of Financial Relationships with Health Care Providers and Health Care Professionals.
Our Asia Pacific Employment & Compensation Team is pleased to provide you with our second quarterly update for 2021 highlighting key employment law changes across the Asia Pacific region.
The DOLE issued Advisories 4, 6, 7 and 8-2021 regarding the requirements for the issuance and cancellation of alien employment permits (AEPs) for foreign employees in the Philippines.
When allegations of misconduct are levelled against employees, employers are often left with the task of conducting internal investigations to get to the bottom of the matter. Employment legislation in Singapore does not prescribe specific standards or processes for such investigations. This has given rise to a number of practical questions for both employers and employees. The Singapore High Court in Dong Wei v Shell Eastern Trading (Pte) Ltd and another [2021] SGHC 123 addressed these issues.