President Marcos has encouraged the financial technology sector to continue working towards making the country a fintech innovation hub.

In his speech at the opening of the Manila Tech Summit 2025 in Taguig City on Aug. 26, Marcos conveyed his vision about the Philippines being a financial technology hub where Filipinos "can reach their full potential and where new technologies open wider possibilities for all."

"At this juncture, I would like to thank the leaders, the thinkers, the innovators in this room for creating a future-ready, inclusive, and resilient Philippine financial technology sector. Please continue your work," he said.

"Make the Philippines a fintech innovation hub and a key voice in shaping the global financial system," he told them.

Marcos assured them that the government will continue to establish infrastructures and strengthen policies in order to be at par with other countries' innovations.

The President emphasized that the government must continue to strengthen its defenses against fraudulent schemes, especially those aided by artificial intelligence.

"But we must also recognize that progress comes with challenges. Any powerful tool cuts both ways. In this digital age, we must become more vigilant against the risks that come with it," he said.

"Fraudulent schemes and scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated every day with the aid of artificial intelligence, with digital currencies, and syndicates that know no frontiers," he added.

"And this is why we must also strengthen our defenses, manage risks, [and] block malicious attempts before they harm our people," he said.

Marcos cited the implementation of the Anti-Financial Account Summary Scamming Act; the creation of an e-commerce Bureau as a one-stop shop for complaints and compliance under the Internet Transactions Act; and the Subscriber Identity Module Registration Act to protect consumers in the digital marketplace from fraud, scams, and unsafe transactions.

Marcos also stressed that "even as artificial intelligence offers breakthroughs, it brings threats of job displacement and the loss of privacy." Thus, the President said, they are undertaking measures to reskill and upskill more Filipinos on emerging technologies and be trained for jobs in AI, cybersecurity, e-commerce, and creative design.

He also cited the growing problem of online gambling, which, he said, preys on people’s vulnerabilities.

He added that they are addressing this through initial measures, such as suspending the in-app gambling access in mobile payment apps and websites in an attempt to protect citizens and preserve the integrity of the financial system.

"All of these efforts place technological innovation at the center of our governance. We aim to provide a government where technology is optimized to improve service delivery, efficiency, and transparency," he said.

Marcos also called for stronger public–private partnerships to accelerate financial technology growth and bridge the gap between the rich and poor.

The Chief Executive said technology must serve as a bridge to close the gaps between those “who have more in life and those who have less,” while assuring that the government will continue building the infrastructure to sustain digital growth.

"Because the connected nation that we dream of will only come online if we all choose to build it brick by brick, gigabyte by gigabyte," he said.

He pointed out that in 2024, the country’s digital economy was valued at P2.25 trillion, equivalent to 8.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product.

He further said that this sector created more than 11.3 million jobs, demonstrating its power to generate inclusive opportunities for Filipinos.

The Manila Tech Summit 2025 aims to position the country as a major force in the global fintech ecosystem. The event brings together over 1,300 delegates from more than 300 organizations.

The event was organized by FinTech Alliance PH, the country’s largest digital industry association, representing over 130 companies responsible for more than 95 percent of digital retail transactions.