SEC bags award for campaign vs. loan scams


The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reported that it has received the Outstanding Digital Campaign: Best Short-Form award from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) for its exemplary initiative to inform, educate and protect the public from fraudulent loan schemes.

In a ceremony held on December 16, the PCO recognized the SEC for its Advance Fee Loan Scam FAQ Reel Series during the first ever Parangal: Gawad sa Kahusayan sa Komunikasyong Pampubliko.

The flagship Parangal ceremony aims to recognize outstanding communication campaigns and strategies of national government agencies and local government units that contribute to improving public understanding of government programs, promote transparency and accountability, and build trust between the government and the public.

The SEC Advance Fee Loan Scam FAQ Reel Series was launched in August to address frequently asked questions about advance fee loan scams—an emerging scheme that traps borrowers into paying advance fees before the payout of loans—through easy-to-understand and relatable language to help the public identify and avoid fraudulent loan schemes.

“It is an honor to be recognized by no less than the Office of the President for our communication initiatives,” SEC Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino said.

He noted that, “The Parangal we received serves as a testament to our unwavering efforts to inform, educate and engage the public to help them realize their entrepreneurial aspirations, guide them toward smart investing, and protect them from fraud in order to secure their financial future.”

The SEC bested four other government agencies in the Outstanding Digital Campaign: Best Short-Form category.

The Commission also received nominations in four other categories, including the Public Service Campaign in the national level for the Investor Protection Week 2024, and the Government Innovation Award for national government agencies for the Launch of the Third Wave of SEC Digital Initiatives.

Its other nominations were for Outstanding Digital Campaign: Long-form category for the SEC CAN! Webinar Series 2024, and the Outstanding Digital Campaign of the Year for the Advance Fee Loan Scam Campaign.