MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed government agencies to assist in drafting the 2026–2030 National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism/Proliferation Financing Strategy (NACS).

By his authority, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto signed Memorandum Circular No. 113 on February 12, designating the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) as secretariat for the NACS. The council will provide technical and administrative support, set timelines, and monitor compliance of agencies and instrumentalities involved in drafting the strategy.

“The heads of concerned government agencies and instrumentalities are hereby directed, and heads of LGUs are hereby encouraged, to ensure that their institutional action plans for the NACS 2026–2030 are aligned with their respective agency resources, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations,” the circular said.

The directive encourages full participation from government agencies, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and local government units (LGUs), in updating the national strategy.

The Philippines recently completed its Third National Risk Assessment covering 2021–2024 to identify priority threats and vulnerabilities related to money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing. The findings are intended to guide the updated NACS.

Updating the strategy is seen as crucial ahead of the country’s Fourth Mutual Evaluation by the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering in 2027, which will assess compliance with the 40 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations and effectiveness across 11 immediate outcomes.

The circular also notes that a FATF Standards Technical Compliance Gap Analysis is ongoing to ensure the Philippines’ anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework meets international standards.

The move follows FATF recommendations urging the Philippines to strengthen collaboration with the APG and sustain improvements in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing system.