The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recognized champions of investor protection, capital market development, ease of doing business and good corporate governance, as it celebrated its 84th anniversary with a renewed commitment to enabling the Philippine corporate sector.
In a virtual anniversary celebration and recognition ceremony on November 20, the Commission presented awards to 92 individuals and organizations from the public and private sectors for their invaluable contributions in providing a secure and inclusive environment for the capital market and business sector.
The roster of awardees included the Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III as capital market development champion for steering vital reforms to further enable the growth of the capital market and the protection of investors.
The SEC likewise feted the Department of Budget and Management, under the leadership of Secretary Wendel E. Avisado, for supporting the Commission in the modernization and improvement of its services.
Other government agencies recognized included the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Office of the Solicitor General and Presidential Communications Operations Office.
The Commission also presented awards to the pioneer members of the SEC Campaign Network comprising the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, National Youth Commission, Clark Development Corporation, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Association of Certified Public Accountants in Public Practice, Philippine Investment Fund Association, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, and The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc.
Moreover, the SEC recognized content creators and celebrities who used their social media platforms to promote investor education and raise awareness of investment scams during the inaugural Investor Protection Week, which coincided with the 84th founding anniversary of the Commission.
“Despite this health and economic nightmare, we did just fine and
took the pandemic by the horns, but we could not have done all of these accomplishments without the help of our partners, who have forwarded our mission alongside the fulfilment of their own mandate,” SEC Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino.
“As we move toward attaining our SuperVision 2025, the Commission remains committed to promoting the development of the Philippine capital market and business sector, and to protecting the investing public from predatory investment schemes and other abusive practices.”
In his message during the virtual ceremony, Mr. Dominguez commended the SEC for keeping its high standard of “responsive and reliable” service in overseeing the corporate sector and protecting investors despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Dominguez noted the important role of the Commission in growing and strengthening the Philippine economy, particularly through the development of the capital market.
“The Philippine capital market relies on the effectiveness, integrity, and credibility of the SEC,” Mr. Dominguez said.
“Without the SEC, our capital market will not be trustworthy. Investors will not be protected and fraud will run rampant. The SEC is indispensable to the growth and development of our capital market.”
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte also recognized the “significant gains” of the Commission in protecting the investing public’s hard-earned money from fraudulent schemes and its broad-scale investor education initiatives.
“May you all be inspired to provide more financial literacy, opportunities for our people that would in effect reinvigorate our financial and investment sector,” the President said. “Together with our partners in the private sector let us make further strides as we empower all Filipinos to lead more secure and meaningful lives.”
Senators Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go and Ronald “Bato” M. Dela Rosa also expressed their support for the Commission’s investor protection campaign during the anniversary celebration and recognition ceremony that marked the culmination of the first-ever Investor Protection Week.
