The Securities and Exchange Commission is redrawing the rulebook for companies eyeing a stock market debut, proposing a tiered minimum public ownership (MPO) framework that could make it easier—especially for large firms—to list on the Philippine Stock Exchange.
The Philippines staged a strong comeback in equity capital markets in 2025, powered by the blockbuster initial public offering of Maynilad Water Services, Inc., which ranked as the third-largest IPO in Southeast Asia, according to Deloitte’s Southeast Asia IPO Capital Market Report 2025.
Maynilad Water Services Inc.’s market debut came with a splash and a safety net. UBS AG Singapore Branch, acting as the stabilization agent for the utility’s initial public offering, snapped up a hefty 144.3 million Maynilad shares during the stabilization window after the stock slipped below its P15 IPO price.
Ayala Corp., the diversified investment holding company of the Ayala Group, said that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the amendment of...
As the Philippine initial public offering (IPO) market continues to feel the drag of global headwinds in 2024 and 2025, investor sentiment remains cautious and companies are in no rush to go public. Yet while the pipeline may be quiet, it is far from empty — especially in sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, energy, consumer goods, and tech-enabled services, where growth potential still sparks investor interest.
Former Philippine Stock Exchange chair Ma. Vivian Yuchengco is urging the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to withdraw a circular that sets term limits for the bourse’s broker-directors, stating the move weakens fundamental corporate governance principles and shareholder rights. In her statement, Yuchengco emphasized that good governance depends on directors earning and retaining shareholders’ trust, while regulators must respect that electoral choice. She noted that repeated re-election should not be dismissed by the SEC, but rather reinforces the commission’s duty to clearly justify why such a choice should be overridden. Along with fellow director Eddie Gobing, Yuchengco has also filed a petition with the Court of Appeals to have the rule declared unconstitutional; both bring extensive board experience, with Yuchengco having served 28 years and Gobing 25 years.
The proposed separation of PAGCOR’s regulatory and casino-operating functions is nearing a key government decision, with Chairman and chief executive officer Alejandro H. Tengco pushing for the state gaming agency to focus solely on regulation.
The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) is finalizing its recommendation on possible fuel excise tax relief as elevated global oil prices continue to push up domestic pump prices, Malacañang said Thursday.
Ayala Land Inc.’s 290-hectare Cresendo estate in Tarlac is moving closer to becoming a full-scale industrial and urban center, with most industrial lots leased and major road, school, and commercial projects advancing alongside factory development.