SEC Chair Aquino hopes successor continues digital-first strategy

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairperson Emilio Aquino hopes his successor will maintain his "digital-first" strategy and be open-minded to new initiatives.

Aquino, whose seven-year term concludes on June 6, 2025, was appointed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2018.

He crafted the SuperVision 2025 at the start of his term to guide the commission's goal of transforming the country's corporate sector and capital market.

Aquino considers organizational development as his biggest achievement under his term, which included expanding SEC's digital services and promoting corporate sustainability.

A significant achievement was relocating the SEC headquarters from a condemned building in Ortigas to a new office in Makati in 2022, which improved employee morale and customer service.

He expressed that the move resulted in a more customer-friendly approach from the corporate watchdog, though acknowledging that not all complaints can be satisfied.

Aquino also mentioned that he is open to a possible reappointment.

He emphasized the need to be mindful and sensitive to all changes and risks facing investors, while trying to build a tradition of reforms and innovation in the agency.