Supreme Court Strikes Down Philippine Ownership Requirement for Regular Licenses for Construction Contracting

On 10 March 2020, the Philippine Supreme Court En Banc (“SC En Banc”) rendered its decision in Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board v. Manila Water Company Inc. (G.R. No. 217590). The SC En Banc nullified Rule III, Sections 3.1(a), 3.1(b)(bb) and 12.7 of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations Governing Licensing and Accreditation of Constructors in the Philippines which limited the issuance of regular contractors’ licenses to Filipinos and corporations with at least 60% Filipino equity ownership.

Suspension of SEC Company Registration System until Further Notice

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced that the Company Registration System (“CRS”) will be temporarily unavailable from September 3, 2020, 10:00 a.m. until further notice due to system maintenance.

DTI and DOLE Issue Supplemental Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19

On 14 August 2020, the Department of Trade and Industry ("DTI") and the Department of Labor and Employment ("DOLE") released Joint Memorandum Circular No. 20-04 or the Supplemental Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19 ("Supplemental Guidelines"). This issuance shall apply to all private establishments, regardless of economic activity, including those located inside special economic zones and under the jurisdiction of Investment Promotion Agencies. 

The Supplemental Guidelines introduce new measures intended to minimize the transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace.