Speaking with SiGMA News, industry veteran Jonas Diego said the result could have direct implications for the country’s iGaming sector.

“The Philippines’ move up the ladder will boost its credibility, potentially attracting more potential investors in the iGaming space (operators and suppliers alike),” Diego said.  

He pointed out that the improvements reflect a broader strengthening of the country’s business environment. “Improvements in innovation inputs and outputs reflect better infrastructure, institutional support, and a globally competitive local talent pool. It can signal readiness for things like AI-driven personalization, gamified systems, and immersive slot content.”  

Opportunities for iGaming  

According to Diego, the progress creates new openings for both local and international firms. “It also benefits the ICT and creative sectors, which are well-positioned to deliver localized content and tech-forward player experiences,” he said.  

To maximise the opportunities, Diego urged closer alignment between private firms and government strategy. “To fully capitalise, the iGaming industry should align with the National Innovation Agenda and IP reforms by showcasing proprietary tech, original content, and measurable innovation outcomes.”  

He added that public policy would need to keep pace. “At the same time, government legislation and regulation will need to evolve in step with the pace of innovation to unlock the full value of this global rise.”  

Surpassing national targets  

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) of the Philippines confirmed the country has outperformed its own development plan. “This achievement reflects the country’s sustained efforts to strengthen its innovation ecosystem,” DEPDev said in a statement.  

Arsenio Balisacan, DEPDev Secretary and Vice Chair of the National Innovation Council (NIC), said the result was the product of reforms and cross-sector collaboration. “Surpassing our 2025 target is the result of sustained reforms, targeted investments, and strong collaboration across sectors and key players in the country’s innovation ecosystem,” he said. 

“We remain committed to scaling our innovation capacity, bridging critical gaps in research and digital infrastructure, and ensuring that innovation drives inclusive and sustainable development.”  

Climbing the rankings  

The GII measures performance across 80 indicators, from research and infrastructure to knowledge, technology, and creative outputs. Records show that the Philippines’ 2025 performance is an improvement from 59th in 2022, 56th in 2023, and 53rd in 2024. The report placed the country 59th in Innovation Inputs and 49th in Innovation Outputs, both stronger than in previous years.  

It also highlighted rapid progress in intellectual property activity. International patent filings grew by 350 percent between 2023 and 2024. Other short-term gains included global brand values and intangible asset intensity.  

The Philippines ranked first worldwide in high-tech exports as a share of total trade and fourth in high-tech imports. It also placed 16th in creative goods exports, 20th in ICT services exports, and 35th in intangible asset intensity.  

Intellectual property and innovation  

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) welcomed the country’s position. Director General Brigitte da Costa-Villaluz said, “The GII shows the Philippines as a top innovative economy, climbing the rankings steadily. We not only look at the rise in the past few years. We look at the consistency of indicators that brought us from a 90th GII ranking in 2013 to a 50th GII ranking in 2025.”  

“We examine where we stand today and where we are headed to make innovation a true driver of inclusive and sustainable growth,” she said.  

Da Costa-Villaluz also cited efforts to broaden IP protection. She pointed to the planned registry for well-known marks as a policy that could improve brand security and create opportunities for businesses. “We are encouraged to educate more, and we always say IP is an equaliser—anyone can create, and anyone can be protected by IP. That is really the societal impact that we aim for, to make IP an enabler of economic growth, and show Filipinos what they can really do.”