On July 26, two events brought together businesses at opposite ends of the growth spectrum: early-stage founders at StartUp Village’s incubation program and seasoned professionals from the Chamber of Pawnbrokers of the Philippines, Inc. (CPPI).
When people think of anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, they often picture thick manuals, digital dashboards, or high-level regulators issuing circulars. But if you’ve ever visited a pawnshop on a busy weekday, you’ll realize the real work—the day-to-day defense against financial crime—is happening behind the glass counter.
All covered entities must register with the AMLC through its online portal by submitting their business information and required documents. Registration is mandatory to receive a Certificate of Registration and remain compliant with anti-money laundering laws.
AMLA protects the Philippine financial system from illicit funds. As a Covered Institution (e.g., pawnshops), you must verify customer identities, report suspicious or large transactions, and keep records for five years. Non-compliance may lead to fines, imprisonment, or loss of license.
If there’s anything I took away from the CPPI event, it’s this: digital compliance isn’t just a trend. It’s an expectation. Tools like UCheck aren’t “nice to have” anymore — they’re part of how modern businesses protect their reputation, their teams, and their customers. But more than that, I was reminded that behind every compliance tool is a person trying to do their job well. Whether they’re a branch manager juggling renewal deadlines or a compliance officer preparing for an audit, they need tools that meet them halfway.
