The SGV Tax team led by EY Asean Tax Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness (DE&I) Lead Victor C. De Dios (VCD), together with Indirect Tax (IDT) Senior Director Atty. Alden Patrick C. Labaguis, was represented by IDT Senior Associate Atty. Andrea Nicole Loreno in SPARK! Philippines’ #RightsforAllRightsforEquality human rights forum on 9 December 2022 at the Ateneo Law School, Rockwell Center in Makati City.
Atty. Nicole with SPARK! Philippines President Imelda Nicolas and Executive Director Maica Teves, and International Association for Human Values Foundation (IAHV Philippines) Director Suzanne Faelnar at the forum
U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay L. Carlson gave the opening remarks, followed by Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay who delivered the keynote address. Panelists Ann Dumaliang, Kaye Brier, Princess Jacel Kiram, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Mary Grace Riego Madayag tackled topics on women’s involvement in environmental advocacy and climate change, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, the participation of women in the peace process, and violence against all genders during the panel discussion. Former Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights Karen Lucia Gomez-Dumpit served as the moderator.
Atty. Nicole asked the panelists to share their insights on how to advocate for diversity, inclusivity, and equality (DE&I) in workplaces during the Q&A session. The panelists shared their firsthand experiences, suggestions on how to raise awareness, and examples of their own programs that could help further develop the participants’ own DE&I programs. Author of gender-responsive ordinances and gender equality advocate Mayen Juico delivered the discussion synthesis. SPARK! Philippines President Imelda Nicolas gave the closing remarks.
The #RightsforAllRightsforEquality human rights forum aimed to raise awareness on how the advancement and security of respecting human rights for all is forging mechanisms and tools which contribute to gender equality.
