ISO/IEC 27701:2025 Released — Privacy Management Becomes a Standalone Standard
A major update redefining how organizations certify privacy governance On October 14, 2025, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) released the new edition of ISO/IEC 27701 — a landmark update that redefines privacy governance worldwide. The ISO/IEC 27701:2025 standard introduces a pivotal change: organisations can now implement and certify […]
SEC Releases Revised Draft on Sustainability Disclosures: PFRS S1 & S2 Nearing Final Adoption
Just two months after releasing its initial exposure draft, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a revised Memorandum Circular on October 24, 2025 seeking public feedback on the adoption of Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS) S1 and S2 for sustainability disclosures. Public comments are open until October 30, 2025 via https://tinyurl.com/Revised-SR-Guidelines. The final circular […]
Beyond Filing: How Compliance Can Drive Growth and Governance
For Philippine companies, fulfilling SEC mandates like filing General Information Sheets (GIS), Audited Financial Statements (AFS), and preparing for mandatory sustainability reporting (on the near horizon) is just the baseline. The real opportunity lies in transforming these disclosures into levers for growth, governance, and enduring trust. Forward-thinking organizations realize that compliance isn’t merely about avoiding […]
Why Cybersecurity Matters for ESG Maturity
Would your business survive a major data breach tomorrow? Cybersecurity is often treated as a back-office function. But in today’s digital economy, where data, intellectual property, and digital systems account for the majority of corporate value, a single cyber incident can undo years of ESG progress. From crippling operations to eroding trust, cybersecurity has become […]
Why Assurance Matters: Strengthening Sustainability Reporting
Ten years ago, sustainability reports were often treated as add-ons to corporate communications. Today, they are regarded as core business disclosures — shaping regulatory compliance, brand trust, and increasingly, decisions on green investments. But as expectations rise, so does scrutiny. Stakeholders want more than glossy narratives, they want evidence. Without independent assurance, even the most […]
The Resilient Enterprise: Rethinking Leadership Models for a Volatile World
The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024 warns that disruptions are no longer rare—they are constant. From AI-driven misinformation and cyberattacks to supply chain shocks, climate disasters, and social polarization, crises now shape the global business landscape. Over half of global experts foresee instability in the next two years, while nearly two-thirds anticipate a […]
How AI is Transforming Business Continuity Planning
Rethinking Continuity in a Disruption-First World Traditional business continuity models—often static and heavily manual—are struggling to keep up with the pace and scale of disruption. In response, many organizations are beginning to explore more adaptive approaches. The modern risk landscape demands more than preparedness—it requires continuity that is intelligent, adaptive, and always on. From cyber […]
SEC Issues Draft Circular on Sustainability Reporting: What PLCs and Large Non-Listed Entities Need to Know
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the Philippines has released a draft Memorandum Circular for public comment on July 30, 2025, proposing rules for mandatory sustainability reporting. Under the draft, Tier 1 entities—originally slated to begin reporting for FY 2025—would now start with FY 2026 reports, due in 2027. This revised timeline is part […]
Why Scope 3 Emissions Could Define the Success or Failure of Your Sustainability Strategy
As regulatory standards tighten and stakeholder scrutiny intensifies, Scope 3 emissions have emerged as the largest blind spot in corporate climate strategies. For Philippine companies, the ability to measure and act on these indirect emissions will increasingly determine strategic credibility, competitiveness, and access to capital. The overlooked emissions with outsized impact While many organizations have […]
Sustainable Finance in the Philippines: Profit, Purpose, and the Path Forward
Sustainable finance is transforming the way businesses grow and capital is deployed, driven by the urgent realities of climate change, rising social expectations, and digital disruption. Once a niche, it is now a strategic priority, embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into core decisions to build long-term, resilient value. What Is Sustainable Finance? Sustainable […]
Breaking Down Barriers: How a standalone Privacy Information Management Systems (PIMS) and ISO 27701 will simplify privacy management
In an era where data is often described as the “new oil,” organizations worldwide grapple with an ever-expanding landscape of privacy regulations. In the Philippines, the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (RA 10173) imposes strict requirements on how personal information is collected and processed; additionally, regulations from other parts of the world, such as the […]
GHG Emissions Management in the Philippines: From Compliance to Competitive Edge
Climate considerations are receiving increased attention in the Philippines, prompting both public and private sectors to focus on more robust greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions management. In alignment with global sustainability trends, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has introduced updated reporting guidelines for publicly listed companies (PLCs), signaling the growing importance of accurate and transparent […]