In the Philippines, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) serves as the primary regulatory agency tasked with the registration, licensing, and monitoring of all corporations and partnerships. Verifying a company’s registration is a fundamental step in due diligence, whether for investment, employment, or entering into a contract.
Failure to verify can expose an individual to "fly-by-night" entities or investment scams that lack the legal personality to conduct business.
1. Understanding the SEC Registration Number
Every legally incorporated entity in the Philippines is issued a unique SEC Registration Number. This is not merely a serial number; it is proof that the entity has submitted its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and has been granted the legal right to exist as a juridical person.
Note: A Mayor’s Permit or a DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) registration is not the same as SEC registration. DTI is for sole proprietorships, whereas the SEC handles corporations and partnerships.
2. Methods of Verification
There are three primary ways to verify a company's status in the Philippine jurisdiction:
A. The SEC Check App (Mobile)
The most modern and accessible method is the SEC Check App, available on the Google Play Store. It is specifically designed to help the public verify if a company is registered and if it has the necessary secondary licenses to solicit investments.
B. SEC Express System (Online)
The SEC Express System is the official web portal for requesting copies of corporate documents.
- Verification: You can use the "Search" or "Request" feature to find a company by its name.
- Document Retrieval: If you require official proof (e.g., for a court case or high-value contract), you can request a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Certificate of Incorporation or the General Information Sheet (GIS) through this portal.
C. SEC Search Engine / Electronic Filing and Monitoring System (eFAST)
The eFAST platform (formerly the Company Investment and Financial Statistical System) allows users to search for registered firms. By entering the company name, the system should return the registration status and the date of incorporation.
3. Red Flags: Registration vs. License to Solicit
A common legal misconception is that a Certificate of Registration is a "blanket permit" to do any business. Under Philippine law, there is a vital distinction:
| Feature | Primary Registration | Secondary License |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Grants legal personality (existence). | Allows specific activities like selling securities. |
| Required For | All Corporations/Partnerships. | Investment Houses, Brokers, Lending Companies. |
| Document | Certificate of Incorporation. | Order of Registration / Permit to Sell. |
Legal Warning: If a company is registered with the SEC but is soliciting investments without a Secondary License, it is committing a violation of the Securities Regulation Code (SRC).
4. Manual Verification and Public Advisories
If the online systems are undergoing maintenance, or if the entity appears suspicious, you should consult the SEC Public Advisories. The SEC regularly publishes lists of entities that are found to be operating without the necessary permits or are flagged for fraudulent activities.
- Step 1: Visit the official SEC Philippines website (
sec.gov.ph). - Step 2: Navigate to the "Advisories" section.
- Step 3: Use the search bar to check if the company name appears in any "Cease and Desist" orders.
5. What to do if the Company is Not Found
If a search yields no results, the entity may be:
- A Sole Proprietorship: Check the DTI Business Name Research website.
- Unregistered: The entity has no legal standing to enter into corporate contracts.
- Revoked: The company may have existed once but had its registration revoked due to non-filing of reports (like the GIS or Audited Financial Statements).
Summary Checklist for Verification
- Does the company name match the official SEC database?
- Is the status "Active"?
- If they are asking for money/investments, do they have a Secondary License?
- Is the "Principal Office Address" consistent with their physical location?
Would you like me to draft a formal letter of request to the SEC for a Certified True Copy of a specific company's General Information Sheet?