Speaking during a press conference hosted by the Philippine Information Agency in Quezon City on Thursday, IPOPHL Deputy Director General Ann Claire Credo-Cabochan emphasized that initiatives such as the Filipinnovation Awards help advance world-class Filipino inventions toward commercialization.

“It is our mission to establish a strong IP system that supports innovation that would inspire our inventors, creators and scientists to produce more products and services that impact our lives, improve the way we live, help our businesses grow and contribute positively to economic development,” Credo-Cabochan said.

IPOPHL, an ex-officio member of the National Innovation Council (NIC), also highlighted that IP registration is now a requirement for innovators submitting entries to the awards.

“We encourage—and it is now a requirement—that all inventors, creators, scientists and researchers who submit entries for this award register their trademarks, patents, utility models and industrial designs with IPOPHL,” she said.

According to Credo-Cabochan, IP registration not only protects innovations but also strengthens opportunities for commercialization and investment.

“It is through registration that your IP is protected. It is also through registration that you are able to commercialize, attract investors, scale up production and access both local and foreign markets,” she added.

The Presidential Filipinnovation Awards is the country’s highest recognition for outstanding Filipino innovations that contribute to national development. Established under Executive Order No. 99, the annual competition is organized by the NIC and implemented by the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev).

Eligible applicants must be Filipino citizens or enterprises that are at least 60 percent Filipino-owned and duly registered with the Department of Trade and Industry, Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Cooperative Development Authority.

Their innovations must already be at an early stage of commercialization, such as having a functional prototype or operational model, and must include proof of IP registration or an ongoing IP application.

Five finalists with the highest rankings in the national competition will receive the Presidential Filipinnovation Award, along with grants and access to post-competition support.

Interested applicants may register, complete the application form, and submit the required documents through the PFA portal. Applications will be accepted until March 15, 2026.

First introduced in 2023, the competition connects young Filipino innovators with Swiss companies to co-develop practical, research-based solutions to real-world industry challenges. Key sectors include IT-BPM, Life Sciences and Digital Health, and Manufacturing and Construction, ensuring innovation aligns with operational, technological, and sustainability priorities.

For 2026, the competition partners strategically with the Swiss Chamber of Commerce, strengthening private-sector engagement, expanding industry participation, and ensuring initiatives meet the evolving needs of Swiss businesses in the Philippines.

“The Swiss Innovation Prize reflects Switzerland’s strong culture of innovation, a cornerstone of global competitiveness,” said Dr. Nicholas Brühl, Ambassador of Switzerland in the Philippines. “By uniting industry, academe, and government, we aim to transform ideas into practical solutions that drive shared progress and mutual prosperity.”

The initiative continues to receive support from the Swiss Cultural Fund and Philippine government partners, including the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, Department of Science and Technology, and Commission on Higher Education, fostering knowledge exchange, research-driven innovation, and globally competitive talent.

Participants compete for recognition, a ₱100,000 cash prize, mentorship opportunities, and exposure to industry leaders, while contributing solutions aligned with sustainable development goals. The Swiss Innovation Prize 2026 reinforces Switzerland’s role as a trusted innovation partner, strengthening long-term collaboration between business, government, and academia.

These scholarships support Filipino leaders pursuing postgraduate studies in Australia, with the goal of contributing to Philippine development upon their return. Interested applicants can learn more at www.australiaawardsphilippines.org/scholarships.

As the next generation of scholars prepares to apply, the Australian Embassy in the Philippines recently celebrated the achievements of outstanding alumni at the Australia Alumni Excellence Awards. The annual event honors Australia-educated Filipinos who have made exceptional contributions in innovation, education, and industry.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu PSM, FCPA (Aust), presented the Awards and commended the honorees as talented change-makers, quiet achievers, and established leaders.

“When I travel across the Philippines and meet our alumni, I’m often moved deeply by the impact they’re making with their Australian education,” said Ambassador Yu.

“Their passion and purpose lift both the Australian and Philippine flags higher in the sky. Together, we are building a legacy of excellence under the proud banner of the Australia Alumni network,” she added.

Dr. Jaime Manalo IV was named Alumnus of the Year for his pioneering work in agricultural education. His “infomediary campaign” empowered over 4,000 young people in remote rice-farming communities across the Philippines to learn and teach modern rice cultivation practices, leading to increased yields and reduced pesticide use. Dr. Manalo developed the campaign during his Australia Awards Master’s scholarship at the University of Queensland, where he also earned his PhD.

Dr. Santiago Peña Jr. received the Excellence in Innovation award for establishing the Boar SemenLAB at Visayas State University, which advances agricultural biotechnology to improve hog productivity and conserve native swine genetics. Dr. Peña earned his Master’s in Tropical Veterinary Science and PhD from James Cook University under the Australia Awards program.

Mr. Ramon Carlo Pio Roda was recognized as a Young Achiever for designing the first financial technology (FinTech) course at the University of the Philippines Diliman’s School of Business. He developed the course during his Master of Commerce studies at the University of New South Wales as an Australia Awardee.

This year also marked the first presentation of the Ambassador’s Award for Maritime Excellence, honoring alumni for their work in civil maritime security and marine conservation. The recipients were:

• Professor Porfirio Aliño, University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (PhD, James Cook University)
• Attorney Fretti Ganchoon, Department of Justice (Law of the Sea Masterclasses, University of Wollongong)
• Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, Philippine Coast Guard Commandant (Master of Maritime Studies, University of Wollongong)

This year’s awards received 47 nominations from Filipino alumni nationwide. The Australia Alumni community continues to grow, with members serving as senior officials, entrepreneurs, academics, and industry leaders – collectively shaping a more innovative, resilient, and prosperous future for both nations.

As a co-sponsor of the workshop on “Enhancing Innovation with More Efficient Patent Systems: Worksharing, Tools and Resources,” the Philippines, through the Bureau of Patents of IPOPHL, showcased its search tools that PH examiners use in their examination work and how IPOPHL conducts patent search.  

The presentation demonstrated the use of the BOP of various patent databases and digital libraries that allow it to conduct a robust and advanced search on patents filed and registered globally, as well as all the other non-patent literatures, scientific journals and publications. A prior art search—the process of searching for existing patents, publications or other available documents that are relevant to the patentability evaluation of an invention—was also demonstrated during the presentation.  

In the presentation delivered by Bureau of Patents Assistant Director Cristina De Guzman, it was also emphasized that IPOPHL obtained high quality compliance rating for its patent search reports issued in 2024, reaching 99.68%, for the reports reviewed under its Patent Quality Management System, a system designed to guarantee that the quality of patents issued by IPOPHL upholds rigorous review and assessment processes and adheres to international best practices. 

“The majority of its patent search reports were found to be of very high quality when reviewed, indicating that IPOPHL has a strong track record of producing accurate and reliable patent reports,” De Guzman said.

In addition to leading the workshop with the USPTO on sharing search tools and patent search best practices, IPOPHL also participated actively during the 60th APEC-IPEG Meeting. Some of these include sharing updates on the Guidebook on Digital Enforcement to Improve Fight Trademark Counterfeiting (the development of which IPOPHL co-sponsored with Peru) and reaffirming its commitment to ensure IP remains central in the discussions on free trade area, as outlined in the Ichma Statement which is one of the documents APEC leaders signed last year at 31st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. 

“The Philippines will continue to support enhancing information sharing, capacity building and technical cooperation efforts in support of member economies’ readiness for each undertaking. IPOPHL  reaffirms its commitment to advancing IP protection, commercialization and enforcement in realizing APEC’s agenda on inclusive prosperity and fulfilling the region’s vision as a key growth driver in global trade,” Director General Brigitte M. da Costa-Villaluz said.

Under the  Rules and Regulations on Administrative Complaints for Violation of Laws Involving Intellectual Property Rights (IPV Rules), IPOPHL, through its Bureau of Legal Affairs introduced the Rules of Procedure on Resolution of Action without Provisional Remedies in IP Cases with Delimited Damages (RAPID Rules). 

The RAPID Rules provide a simpler path for IPV cases with a claim for damages between P200,000 to P500,000, with no provisional remedies sought. Among the salient features of the RAPID Rules are: provisions on prohibited pleadings; format of email filings; the filings of physical copies for Complaint and Answer subsequent to the electronic filing; option of online hearings; inclusion of evidentiary matters in the initial pleadings; and limiting hearing schedules to a maximum of five hearing dates per party.     

The streamlined procedure entails filing fees which are the same as a regular IPV filing, thus offering a more efficient solution without adding extra financial burden on litigants.

“The RAPID Rules aim to provide an option to our stakeholders to avail of this streamlined route should their main purpose be the vindication of their IP Rights, while seeking delimited damages.” IPOPHL Director General Brigitte M. da Costa Villaluz said. 

The RAPID Rules are in consonance with the Supreme Court’s ongoing initiative to modernize the judicial system. This effort incorporates evolving trends in law, jurisprudence and international conventions, ensuring the system adapts to both technological advancements and global standards.

“By aligning with the modernization of the Supreme Court, the process provides updated, practical guidance to parties, ensuring certainty, smoother case management and reduced delays,” BLA Officer-in-Charge Christine V. Pangilinan-Canlapan said.

The RAPID Rules, promulgated through IPOPHL Memorandum Circular 2024-045, took effect on December 28, 2024. The new rules follow the issuance of Memorandum Circular 2024-021 which adopted the online mode in the proceedings while ensuring due process amid its modernization journey.

These enhancements form part of the BLA’s broader ongoing program to update its system, processes and records and ensure efficient and fair adjudication of IP cases.

In a capacity-building initiative held on February 21, 2025, IPOPHL, through its IP Rights Enforcement Office (IEO), trained companies of that are part of the MDPPA network. The session introduced the various types of IP and helped over 20 participants explore the enforcement mechanisms available to IP owners. The activity also provided the participants the opportunity to discuss remedies for swift resolution of IP-related disputes.

IPOPHL also encouraged members to maximize the use of the E-Commerce Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of which they are signatory and invited member companies yet to be part of the MOU to join it. Facilitated by IPOPHL, the E-Commerce MOU offers a swifter takedown, which is brought about by the closer coordination fostered through the MOU.

IPOPHL Deputy Director General for Policy, Legal Affairs, and External Relations Nathaniel S. Arevalo lauded the MDPPA for its initiative to learn more about IP enforcement, calling it a “sense of social responsibility” to protect motorists and passengers on the road. 

“By enabling its members to understand the wide array of enforcement mechanisms available to them, MDPPA is not just promoting enforcement as a corporate strategy in protecting their brands and reputation but also as a social responsibility in protecting the safety of drivers and passengers,” said Arevalo.

The MDPPA said equipping enforcement agencies with enhanced skills and knowledge is crucial as the proliferation of fake motorcycle products online has become a significant challenge for both consumers and legitimate businesses. 

However, MDPPA Vice-President Engr. Erwin Estrada underscored the positive outcomes in the collaboration between MDPPA and IPOPHL, such as the E-Commerce MOU which even their mother firms in Japan commended. 

“We look forward to future collaborations especially that the MDPPA would be hosting the FAMI or Federation of Asian Motorcycle Industries by next year where delegates from motorcycle manufacturers from ASEAN neighbors, Japan, Taiwan, India and Brazil will be participating. We hope IPOPHL will once again be a partner in this effort to highlight the importance of IP rights in building legacies for the industry,” said Estrada.

Meanwhile, IPOPHL’s IEO Supervising Director Christine V. Pangilinan-Canlapan urged consumers to be vigilant when purchasing motor parts online, warning that prioritizing cheap deals over safety could have dire consequences.

“Counterfeit motorcycle parts and accessories are beyond the radar of regulatory standard checks. This means there is no guarantee that it can effectively cushion the impact of crashes and falls, endangering not only the motorists but all road users,” said Pangilinan-Canlapan. 

The capacity-building activity is part of the series of undertakings under the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between IPOPHL and the MDPPA to enhance cooperation in intellectual property enforcement. 

Building on this partnership, the MDPPA joined last year the E-Commerce MOU monitored by IPOPHL. Now, as a signatory, the MDPPA expands its IP initiatives on enforcement with a closer coordination with platforms that result in the swift takedown of posts selling counterfeit motor parts and accessories. 

Established in 1973, the MDPPA is currently composed of five members, namely Honda Philippines Inc., Kawasaki Motorcycle Phils. Corp., Suzuki Philippines, Inc., Yamaha Motor Philippines, Inc. and their newest member TVS Phils.

“This is a transformative partnership with the Province of Aklan spearheaded by Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco and Governor Jose Miraflores. Our Smart Port System makes accessing Boracay easier than ever by removing the traditional hassle of travel and empowering visitors to focus on enjoying their time on the island. We are extremely proud to collaborate with the Province of Aklan, the Department of Tourism, and all the Boracay stakeholders on this initiative,” said Eugene Erik Lim, President and CEO of Topline Hi Tech and Synergy Corporation.

Currently, tourists have to go through multiple queues for their arrival registration and payments for boat fare, administrative, environmental, and terminal fees. The Unified Automated Ticketing System eliminates the multiple queues and separate payments by allowing tourists to conveniently book and pay for their transit in advance through a dedicated mobile app called Topline Travel App, a pre-booking link, or on-site through an automated kiosk or a ticketing booth for those who prefer in-person transactions or need assistance. All options offer cashless payment options. As soon as the payment has been made, a QR code will be generated for verification to enter the pre-boarding area for boarding the vessel.

“Top Line’s Smart Port System in Boracay is a game-changer, streamlining operations and enhancing the overall tourism experience. By embracing innovation, we ensure a smoother, more efficient journey for all our foreign and domestic visitors, while fostering sustainable growth for the island’s tourism industry,” Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores said.

“With this smart upgrade, we aim to drive tourism growth in the Visayas and ensure that Boracay remains a premier destination for travelers. At Topline Group, we do not just ride the region’s growth momentum—we strive to be a catalyst for it,” Mr. Lim added.

The first phase of Topline Hi Tech’s Smart Port System is scheduled for implementation in April 2025 in time for the influx of tourists for summer.

The estimated value is 52% higher than the ₱26.99 billion in 2023. Last year’s haul from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) accounted for the lion’s share, totaling ₱34.70 billion. 

Among the biggest operations of the BOC included its July operations in Binondo which hauled P11 billion worth of counterfeit luxury goods and its November raid in a Divisoria mall where the agency confiscated ₱7 billion worth of counterfeit luxury goods. 

BOC’s haul was followed by the seizures from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police (PNP) estimated at ₱3.42 billion and ₱2.83 billion, respectively. 

Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration seized ₱30.20 million counterfeit drugs and health-related products.

Under Section 155 of the IP Code, the use, reproduction or imitation of a registered trademark or its dominant feature without the owner’s consent—whether in commerce or advertising—can be held liable for infringement if such use is likely to cause confusion, mistake or deception.

IPOPHL Director General Brigitte M. da Costa-Villaluz lauded the members of the NCIPR for “the proactive work and strategic raid operations to keep counterfeits from reaching markets and households.”

“Counterfeit products harm the economy as they undermine legitimate businesses and market trust, while also exposing consumers to unsafe products that went under the radar of regulatory standard checks,” da Costa-Villaluz said. 

IPOPHL Deputy Director General for Policy, Legal Affairs and External Relations Nathaniel S. Arevalo reassured that the NCIPR will continue protecting IP rights and consumers. 

“The NCIPR will continue to safeguard our borders from being transit points, our warehouses from being hiding dens and our markets from being thriving hubs for counterfeiting,” Arevalo said.

IPOPHL’s Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Office (IEO) Supervising Director Christine V. Pangilinan-Canlapan encouraged consumers to stop buying fake products, reminding the public of “the high cost of risks to what seem like bargain prices.”

Instead, Pangilinan-Canlapan enjoined consumers to be vigilant and report against counterfeit advertisements and transactions through the IEO’s reporting channels: operations@ipophil.gov.ph, its Facebook page and mobile number 0966-769-1448.

“The Philippines is clear as to where it is heading to…We are headed to expand our trade network, and one of them is that we are now officially considering applying to join CPTPP,” Undersecretary Atty. Allan Gepty of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

During the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines’ (BCCP) event “Forecasting 2025: UK-PH Economic Perspectives,” DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque also said preliminary discussions in the recently launched UK-Philippines Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) focus on export development, investment facilitation, and digitalization.

The BCCP expressed optimism that the ongoing JETCO discussions will further strengthen the countries’ bilateral trade as well as position the Philippines as a prime investment destination in the region.

Noting that UK is the 2nd largest economy in the CPTPP trade group, Undersecretary Gepty said, “The JETCO would be a very important element of the PH-UK economic relations. Currently, we do not have a free trade agreement with the UK, so JETCO will serve as a platform for us to tackle and address issues relating to trade and investments,” including the digital economy, innovation, and support for MSMEs.

At the same time, His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Palau, Laure Beaufils, said she is confident the economic partnership will continue to grow, particularly in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure.

“In the space of trade and investment, there is no doubt that 2025 will bring opportunities… UK-Philippines trade reached £2.9 billion this year. It’s a nearly 15% increase from 2022, signaling a very strong recovery from the pandemic and bringing us back to pre-pandemic levels,” the ambassador said.

The CPTPP member are countries Japan, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Chile, Peru, New Zealand, and Brunei. Veronica Uy

The Philippine Mission to New Delhi’s H.E. Ambassador Josel Francisco Ignacio and Third Secretary/Vice Consul Melissa Anne Telan attended the ceremonial agreement exchange—serving as representatives to IPOPHL—and met with TK Digital Library Unit Head Viswajanani Sattigeri during the CSIR’s Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the TKDL held on January 24, 2025 in New Delhi.

Set up in 2001, the TKDL is a prior-art database of Indian traditional knowledge (TK) boasting about 515,000 Indian formulations and practices that are translated to five languages—English, Japanese, Spanish, French and German. It is primarily focused on medicinal plants and formulations used in ancient wellness and healing systems, such as the Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Yoga and Sowa Rigpa, but it also contains traditional agricultural and metallurgical knowledge.

The TKDL was made to prevent the erroneous granting of patents on traditional Indian knowledge and promote modern research based on TK.

Access to the TKDL is free for patent offices and institutions that enter into an agreement with the CSIR. The Philippines is the 17th intellectual property office that has access to the TKDL, joining the likes of the European Patent Office, the Japan Patent Office and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. 

“Our agreement shows IPOPHL’s strong thrust to prevent biopiracy across the world and protect traditional systems of indigenous communities,” IPOPHL Officer-in-Charge Nathaniel S. Arevalo said. 

The database, he said, also serves as “an invaluable resource that creates an opportunity for the Philippines to document and safeguard its own TK.”

“By learning from India’s experience in creating, growing and maintaining its database, the Philippines can create a robust mechanism to protect its traditional knowledge and preserve its cultural heritage while fostering scientific progress,” Arevalo added.

Bureau of Patents Director Ann N. Edillon said the database could  also be made accessible by the CSIR to Philippine research institutions upon request, providing them information that could inspire the generation of new technologies.

“This will allow research institutions to access and utilize valuable information, combining old knowledge to develop new medicines, therapies and innovations,” Edillon said.

The Philippines is currently in the works of formalizing its status as a Contracting Party under the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Treaty on IP, Genetic Resources (GR) and Associated TK—a treaty which the country strongly supported.

Adopted by consensus in May 2024, the treaty aims to establish in international law a new disclosure requirement for patent applicants whose inventions are based on GR and its associated TK to prevent misappropriation.