New SEC chair prioritizes faster service delivery, stronger enforcement, lower MSME costs

​Newly appointed Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairperson and CEO Francis Lim has vowed to hit the ground running by prioritizing the clearing of backlogs, bolstering enforcement efforts, and reducing fees for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). 

Following his assumption of office on June 10, Chairperson Lim laid out his institutional priorities, operational direction, and commitments to ensure the Commission continues fulfilling its mandate as the country’s corporate registrar and securities regulator.

“The SEC shall serve with integrity, act with urgency, and lead with purpose — so the market can trust, investors can thrive, and our nation can grow,” Chair Lim said. “In exercising its duties, the SEC will be firm yet fair, efficient and professional, independent and trustworthy, and a reliable enabler of business and capital formation.”

Streamlining processes and services

Building on the SuperVision 2028 roadmap initiated by his predecessor, former Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino, Mr. Lim emphasized that effective implementation will be critical to transforming the Philippine corporate sector into one of the best in Southeast Asia.

Accordingly, he has directed all SEC departments and offices to prioritize the resolution of applications and requests within the legally mandated time frames. The SEC will simplify and streamline processes and services, removing unnecessary requirements and redundant documentation.

“Piecemeal document requests and comments should be minimized and allowed only for compelling reasons, so as not to inconvenience stakeholders,” Mr. Lim stressed.

The Commission will also continue to invest in technology to upgrade its systems, improve accessibility, and boost operational efficiency.

Strengthening stakeholder engagement

Recognizing that effective service delivery depends on collaboration, Mr. Lim pledged to continue forging strategic partnerships with key industry players, the public sector, and other stakeholders. 

To safeguard investor trust and support the capital market’s growth, the SEC will remain firm in enforcing measures against fraud, scams, and illegal investment-taking activities that harm the investing public. 

In parallel, the SEC will review and implement cost-reduction initiatives, particularly those benefiting MSMEs, to make its services more accessible without compromising quality.

Internally, Mr. Lim underscored the importance of attracting and retaining individuals with competence, integrity, and a strong commitment to public service to ensure consistently high-quality service delivery.

“Our service will be measured not by words, but by the results we deliver and how we deliver them — for it is these, more than any accolade or award, that will earn us public trust and admiration,” Mr. Lim concluded.