The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, for legal assistance to investors who need and qualify for legal services from IBP.
The traditional legal aid will be provided to stock market investors endorsed by PSE to IBP, who qualify based on IBP’s means and merit test for free legal assistance. To be considered for endorsement, the investors should have reported or made known to PSE their concerns and/or their investments were done through PSE.
“This partnership was forged primarily to help investors who may not have enough resources to avail of legal services. I am pleased that IBP is with us in this initiative to support investors in exercising their rights,” explained PSE President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon.
“PSE’s mandate for investor protection rests on its rules and regulations for providing a fair, efficient and transparent market. In extreme cases though, when retail investors need the law to uphold their rights, we can now rely on IBP to provide legal advice and guidance,” said Mr. Monzon in his message during the signing ceremony.
Aside from legal assistance, the MOA contains various areas of collaboration including capacity-building, which covers training or learning sessions on topics such as regulatory framework for the stock market, how investment frauds and scams are commonly perpetrated, and remedies of investors under applicable laws.
The MOA signing ceremony was attended by Directors and Management Officers of PSE and the Board of Governors of IBP.
Photo 1 (from left): IBP Governor for Southern Luzon Region and Incoming Director for the National Center for Legal Aid (NCLA) Atty. Pitero M. Reig, IBP President Atty. Antonio C. Pido, PSE President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon, and PSE COO Atty. Roel A. Refran
Photo 2 (Seated from left): PSE Independent Director Former Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo De Castro (ret.), IBP President Atty. Antonio C. Pido, PSE President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon, and PSE Director Vivian Yuchengco;
(Standing from left): IBP Governor for Southern Luzon Region and Incoming Director for the NCLA Atty. Pitero M. Reig, Securities and Exchange Commission Markets and Securities Regulation Department (MSRD) Director Atty. Oliver O. Leonardo, and PSE COO Atty. Roel A. Refran
Photo 3 (Seated from left): PSE Independent Director Former Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo De Castro (ret.), IBP President Atty. Antonio C. Pido, PSE President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon, and PSE Director Vivian Yuchengco;
(Standing from left): PSE General Counsel Atty. Veronica V. Del Rosario, IBP Governor for Southern Luzon Region Atty. Pitero M. Reig, IBP NCLA Overall Deputy Director Atty. Myline J. Urmenita-Palisoc, IBP National Director for Convention & Special Events, Atty. Gina H. Mirano-Jesena, IBP Governor for Central Luzon Region Atty. Maria Imelda Quiambao-Tuazon, SEC MSRD Director Atty. Oliver O. Leonardo, PSE COO Atty. Roel A. Refran, IBP Governor for Western Visayas Region Atty. Rafael Crescencio C. Tan, Jr., IBP Governor for Northern Luzon Region Atty. Minerva R. Magtanao-Taguinod, IBP Governor for Bicolandia Region Atty. Analyn Hibo-Gamboa, IBP Executive Vice President and Governor for Western Mindanao Atty. Allan G. Panolong, IBP Governor for Greater Manila Region Atty. Kriden F. Balgomera, and IBP CBD Director Atty. Avelino V. Sales, Jr.
