Congress of the Philippines (statutes) in Cebu City, Central Visayas

Republic Act No. 11765, signed 6 May 2022, established the Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act. The statute grants BSP, SEC, IC and CDA enforcement authority over financial-consumer-protection violations by their supervised institutions, including the power to issue cease-and-desist orders, impose fines, restitution, disgorgement of profits, and disqualify officers. It codifies consumer rights to equitable treatment, transparency, fair-dealing, financial education, complaint handling, and data privacy across financial products and services.

Republic Act No. 9474, signed 22 May 2007, governs the establishment and operation of lending companies in the Philippines. It requires lending companies to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission and obtain a Certificate of Authority before commencing operations, prescribes minimum paid-up capital, regulates interest-rate disclosure, and imposes penalties for violations including operating without authority. The Act is a primary basis for SEC enforcement action against unregistered online lending platforms.

Republic Act No. 8556, signed 26 February 1998, defines and regulates financing companies that extend credit through the discounting of receivables, leasing, and consumer financing. It requires SEC registration and the issuance of a Certificate of Authority, prescribes minimum paid-up capital, and sets disclosure rules for finance charges. The Act, together with RA 9474, frames the SEC's authority over non-bank lending entities.

Presidential Decree No. 114, issued 29 January 1973, regulates the establishment and operation of pawnshops in the Philippines. The decree places pawnshops under the supervision of the Central Bank (now Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas), defines pawn ticket requirements, sets recordkeeping obligations, and prescribes the basis for the auction or redemption of pledged goods. It remains the foundational pawnshop statute, supplemented by BSP circulars under the Manual of Regulations for Non-Bank Financial Institutions.

Republic Act No. 4200, approved 19 June 1965, prohibits the secret recording of any private communication or spoken word without the consent of all parties to the communication. It also makes inadmissible any evidence obtained in violation of the Act. Philippine jurisprudence consistently requires consent of all parties — there is no general 'one-party' or 'party-to-call' exception. Borrowers recording calls with debt collectors must understand this requirement before relying on a recording as evidence.