In these recorded video chats, we share practical insights into legal issues in accelerating digital transformation as a way to achieve operational efficiencies and meet business demands during this time. Each Q&A session is less than 20 minutes long and offers targeted insights into the critical questions executives are facing in the new business landscape.
Episode 10: Data Privacy, Retention, Outsourcing and Cybersecurity
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic showcased the value of digital operating models and has forced many companies to speed up their digital innovation and transformation. As we move forward in 2021, this trend will surely continue and the reliance of businesses on data, most especially personal data, will heighten.
Data is considered as the new currency for the future. In order to succeed online, strategic use of data to reach target customers is key to business development. But data, just like any other resource, should be used responsibly. Businesses are expected to comply with the legal and regulatory requirements, which include data privacy and cybersecurity laws.
Listen to Alain Charles Veloso, Reena Mitra-Ventanilla and Jose Angelo Tiglao as they discuss the Philippine regulatory framework on data privacy, data retention, data outsourcing and cybersecurity.
Episode 9: Leveraging on Data as an Asset During a Pandemic
In the digital economy, data is among the key assets for business growth. Highly successful and innovative organizations adopt data-driven business models and information-based strategies. But managing data is not an easy feat. Unlike other types of traditional business assets like real and personal properties, commodities, and intellectual property rights, most concepts and rules that govern traditional business assets are not easily applicable to data.
Listen to Alain Charles Veloso, Reena Mitra-Ventanilla and Zarah Mae Rovero as they discuss how data is utilized, valued, and protected as a business asset, what issues should be considered in deals and transactions with regard the value of data, trends in data sharing, data portability, and mandatory data accessibility, among others.
Episode 8: Remote and Electronic Notarization in the Philippines: Dispensing with Personal Appearance During a Pandemic
With the re-opening of more sectors of the Philippine economy and the loosening of restrictions on the movement of people, commercial transactions and legal proceedings are expected to pick up. This means that more contracts and other legal documents will be drafted, signed, and notarized. While under ordinary conditions, notarization requires personal appearance before a notary public and presenting physical copies of documents, there can be alternative means by which documents can be notarized to reduce the need for both face-to-face meetings and handling of physical documents.
Technology offers a way forward to balance both the facilitation of commercial and legal activities and the health and safety of all parties involved. Remote notarization has become an option in the Philippines and abroad. Other emerging technologies such as blockchain and facial recognition have gained traction in some jurisdictions as alternative means of notarization.
Listen to Neonette Pascual and Danielle Joanna Gaite in our latest episode of QT Talks, where they discuss the current state of notarial rules in the Philippines, the shift to remote notarization both in the Philippines and abroad, and the possibilities and challenges in adopting new technologies for notarization.
Episode 7: Navigating Virtual Arbitration Hearings
The current health crisis coupled with advances in technology have transformed the future of dispute resolution. The traditional processes of filing hard copy pleadings and appearing face to face in hearings have been challenged as a result of lockdowns and social distancing measures. Thus, digital transformation in dispute resolution was propelled, particularly in court proceedings, where courts had to quickly pivot to electronic filings and virtual hearings.
In arbitration, technology also offers opportunities to save time and costs. Listen to Michael Macapagal and Camille Bianca Gatmaitan-Santos as they discuss how digital transformation benefits arbitration proceedings and what guidelines should be observed to be able to navigate the process more effectively and efficiently.
Episode 6: Working Remotely
In order to balance the need to continue business operations with the need to preserve the health of their workforce amidst the current pandemic, various companies have adopted alternative work set-ups such as working remotely. With the adoption of these work-from-home arrangements, companies are however exposed to increased cyber security threats and privacy incidents and breaches.
Listen to the discussion of Frederick August Jose and Zarah Mae Rovero, on the various issues and threats faced by companies as they adopt work-from-home arrangements. They will also cover the National Privacy Commission's bulletin on protecting personal data in a work-from-home set-up.
Episode 5: Online Payments: Is the Philippines Ready for a Cash-lite Future
The Philippine central bank (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) has been actively promoting the use of online payment and has adjusted its target for digital payments from 20% to 30% for the year 2020. Over the past years, we have seen an increase in the number of fintech players entering the Philippine market, taking advantage of the central bank's advocacy to advance financial inclusion. Because of the current trend of lessening face-to-face transactions and doing business online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipinos have been constrained to rapidly adopt the use of computers and mobile devices for their payment transactions. While online platforms provide convenient and hassle-free modes of payment, the use of digital payment channels also poses certain risks due to the evolving nature of technology.
In this episode Alain Charles Veloso and Kristina Navarro provide a high-level discussion of the current legal and regulatory framework governing online payments in the Philippines as well as the challenges faced by industry players.
Episode 4: Online Business in the New Normal
With the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected most of the world, movement and transportation have been restricted in varying degrees in the Philippines due to the various quarantine and social distancing measures imposed upon the different localities in the country. This has pushed businesses to find ways to operate in the digital space. From setting up online stores, improving their websites or through engaging its customers in social media, many businesses realize that the effects of COVID-19 will be felt for the long haul. Thus, it has become urgent for them to adapt as quickly as possible for their businesses to survive.
In this episode, Alain Charles Veloso and Alexandra Castro-Samson provide a high-level discussion of the current legal and regulatory framework governing online businesses in the Philippines, to guide online businesses, especially foreign corporations, in complying with the applicable requirements.
Episode 3: Current Trends in the Consumer Goods & Retail Industry in Light of COVID-19
COVID-19 and community quarantine have accelerated digital transformation in almost all industries in the Philippines and across the globe. In the retail sector, such transformation has resulted in a shift in consumer preferences and demand. It has also changed the way of doing business in the Philippines.
As consumers prefer to remain at home, companies engaged in retail and the sale of consumer goods have adopted various business models to bring their products to the consumer. In this episode, Bienvenido Marquez III, Luisa Fernandez-Guina, Reena Mitra-Ventanilla and Alvin Tan briefly cover the changes in the Filipino consumer, digital business models adopted by local retailers and their potential legal and regulatory issues, as well as issues relating to intellectual property, data privacy, and cyber security that arise from digitalization of the retail industry.
Episode 2: Ease of Doing Business with E-Signatures: A Legal and Technical Approach
The current pandemic has resulted in unprecedented challenges and restrictions in doing business, such as in the ability to meet in-person and sign contracts and other commercial papers using the traditional pen and ink. Companies therefore have to be agile in improvising new SOPs in its operations in order to adapt to the new normal and overcome potential business downturns.
The adoption of work-from-home arrangements and other electronic and digital processes, including the use of e-signatures, which do not require physical presence are on the rise. Coupled with this new way of doing business is the need to understand the legal and technical requirements of using e-signatures to ensure their validity and admissibility under Philippine law. This episode of QT Talks Video Chat Series briefly covers the basics of e-signatures and how the Philippine government assists in its adoption by both individuals and companies alike.
Episode 1: Trade Secret Protection as a Means of Protecting Data
Although data has been catapulted into the category of top business assets and its value now enjoys a status similar to that of traditional business assets, businesses cannot self-servingly claim that they own the data they collect and process. Data is infinite, non-rivalrous, easily reusable and derives value through use and often through combination and sharing. Rather than addressing the difficulties of asserting ownership over data, the crucial issue to address is who controls access to, and use of, data, and to what degree. Since data is not subject to statutory protection like common intellectual property assets, a more reliable approach is to protect data as a trade secret.
Listen to the discussion of Divina Ilas-Panganiban, Felicisimo Agas III, and Jose Angelo Tiglao on how trade secret protection is used by businesses to protect the data that they process. They will also share insights and practical tips on how trade secrets can be safeguarded under the current Philippine legal landscape.