Philippines regulator releases regulatory measures to modernise investment rules for insurers, reinsurers

Written by Adam Cadle

14/04/2025

The Insurance Commission of the Philippines (IC) has released two regulatory measures aimed at modernising investment practices for the country’s insurers and reinsurers.

Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo Regalado said the changes are designed to enable these entities to respond more effectively to evolving financial markets.

“It aims to further empower the commission’s regulated entities to make well-informed investment decisions with the aim of ensuring the stability and growth of their respective financial assets while safeguarding the interests of their policyholders,” he said.

Among the changes is the inclusion of new permitted investment instruments such as structured securities, supranational organisation bonds, and specific collective investment vehicles. These no longer require pre-approval from the commission if they meet regulatory safeguards, including minimum credit ratings or exchange listings, which are intended to uphold market integrity and oversight.

In addition, the measures remove the prior approval requirement for select investments denominated in Philippine pesos and foreign currencies that conform to accepted standards, including those reviewed externally or listed on regulated exchanges.

Regalado added that the commission is seeking to reduce administrative delays in the investment process and ease regulatory burdens while ensuring prudent risk management practices remain in place.

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