SEC rolls out web-based registry to boost transparency
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is rolling out a new web-based beneficial ownership registry. This is aimed at strengthening corporate transparency and improving accountability across the Philippine corporate sector.
In a statement on Thursday, the SEC said that starting Jan. 30, 2026, corporations required to submit beneficial ownership (BO) disclosures must file through the Hierarchical and Applicable Relations and Beneficial Ownership Registry (Harbor). This is a digital platform designed to streamline compliance and improve the quality of ownership data available to regulators.
Harbor enables the secure submission and updating of BO information. It is integrated with the SEC’s Electronic Filing and Submission Tool (eFAST), the Commission’s official portal for reportorial requirements.
Beneficial owners refer to natural persons who ultimately own or exercise effective control over a corporation, whether directly or indirectly.
By shifting BO disclosures to a centralized registry, the SEC said it is reducing manual handling of sensitive information, improving data accuracy and enabling faster access to reliable ownership data for compliance monitoring and regulatory coordination.
“Beneficial ownership disclosures are a key transparency reform that supports good governance and helps prevent the misuse of corporate structures for illicit activities,” SEC chair Francis Lim said.
“Through Harbor, the SEC streamlines the filing process while strengthening BO data management, enabling the Commission to provide timely and meaningful support to partner agencies in lawful enforcement actions,” Lim added.
Under the new system, BO disclosures will no longer be submitted as part of the General Information Sheet (GIS).
The SEC has issued the 2026 version of the GIS. This removes the page on beneficial ownership disclosures to reflect the transition to Harbor as the Commission’s official web-based registry.
The shift also means companies will no longer need to resubmit the same beneficial ownership declarations annually. That is, unless there are changes such as the addition of new beneficial owners. Instead, filers will be required to revalidate previously submitted information.
To access Harbor, filers must have an active account with the Electronic SEC Universal Registration Environment, the Commission’s digital passport for online services.
Only active and authorized filers through eFAST may submit BO declarations via the registry.
The launch of Harbor follows SEC Memorandum Circular No. 15, Series of 2025. The circular issued the Revised Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Rules and authorized the implementation of a web-based BO registry.
The SEC said the initiative supports broader governance reforms by strengthening the collection and management of ownership information. This is a key requirement under the Philippines’ commitments to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
These reforms build on earlier transparency measures that contributed to the country’s exit from the FATF grey list in February 2025. The SEC seeks to sustain antimoney laundering and counterterrorism financing improvements and keep the Philippines off the list.
