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The SGV Business Tax Services (BTS) team conducted a webinar on surviving Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax audits. Around 250 participants from different industries attended the webinar. (From left to right) Senior Associates Tom Lui M. Estrella, Samantha Gaile A. Reyes, Partner Donna Frances G. Ylade-Torres, and Senior Associate Mariecar S. Reyes-Agbayani SGV BTS Partner Donna Frances G. Ylade-Torres was the speaker for the webinar, while Senior Associate Trixia Lou A. Diaz served as the host and moderator during the Q&A portion. Some of the topics discussed during the webinar were the BIR Audit Program, Subpoena Duces Tecum, the stages of BIR audits, relevant jurisprudence on BIR audits, general defenses, and survival tips. (From left to right) Senior Associates Niño Louis M. Belarma, Ron Christian T. Eupeña, Ernest Adrian F. Co., Senior Director Melissa Joyce Y. To, and Senior Associates Trixia Lou A. Diaz, Geremae M. Mata, and Joseph Santiago E. Quiño Webinar participants The Surviving the BIR Tax Audit webinar is part of a series of tax webinars conducted by the SGV BTS team. It aims to help and guide taxpayers in handling assessments with the BIR through keeping the participants updated on the latest Supreme Court decisions on tax cases, BIR enforcement strategies, and recent BIR issuances involving clarifications on tax laws and procedures.

SGV Cebu hosted the “Symposium for Business Owners: Strengthening Family Businesses for Generations to Come” on 20 September 2023 at the SGV Cebu Office. The symposium featured SGV Partners and was attended by business owners. Symposium attendees SGV Cebu Partner-in-Charge Margem A. Tagalog and Tax Leader Atty. Fabian K. Delos Santos gave their welcome remarks, while Tax Partner Cheryl Edeline C. Ong, Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Partner Saha P. Adlawan-Bulagsak, Consulting Partner Maria Kathrina S. Macaisa-Peña, Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) Partner Aris C. Malantic, and Private Leader Kristopher S. Catalan talked about Corporate Restructuring, Tax Health Check, Business Transformation, Enhanced Financial Reporting, and Leading in Private Boards, respectively. The event also included free one-on-one consultations with the key speakers to address the participants’ business concerns.

SGV Consulting Senior Manager Mary Andrea Bacani and Managers Dexter Manabat and Jeffrey Yee participated in the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP) Supply Chain Conference (SCC) 2023 with the theme “We are one supply chain setting transformation in motion.” Over 320 delegates attended the event held at the EDSA Shangri-la Manila from 21 to 22 September 2023.  SGV Consulting Senior Manager Mary Andrea Bacani and Managers Dexter Manabat and Jeffrey Yee  Speakers from the logistics and retail sectors and heads of supply chain solution providers talked about future-proofing the supply chain through technology and people, managing supply chain risk, exploring resilience, and fostering sustainability. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) representatives discussed government strategic initiatives on supply chain and logistics. The SCMAP SCC is now on its 32nd year and is the premier event in the Philippines for supply chain professionals, drawing key players across the supply chain, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, logistics service providers, and other allied sectors.

SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) Technology Consulting Principal Anurag Mishra was a speaker at the 2023 Asian Banking and Finance forum. It was attended by regulators, prominent bankers, and industry experts. Anurag (left) at the 2023 Asian Banking and Finance forum Anurag talked about embedded finance, digitalization, buy now, pay later (BNPL), loyalty programs, and how hyper-personalization enhances customer experience and engagement. He also discussed the risks associated with these programs as well as how engaged customers drive product improvements and revenues and is a market differentiator. He emphasized the role of regulators in ensuring fair practices, protecting customer data, and promoting transparency in loyalty programs. 

SGV Consulting Partner Charisse Rossielin Y. Cruz was a speaker at the 2023 Insurance Asia forum held at Shangri-La The Fort Manila on 3 October 2023.  Charisse at the Insurance Asia forum Charisse talked about emerging trends, problem areas, and possible opportunities in the insurance industry. She also covered emerging focus areas insurers must be on the lookout for. Fellow distinguished insurers in the Philippines attended the forum.

Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Metro Manila Region (MMR) Chair Sonia D. Segovia, with the assistance of PICPA MMR Professional Development Committee Chair Maricris “Crissee” U. See, organized the PICPA MMR’s Non-government Organization (NGO) Summit held from 11 to 12 September 2023 at the Century Park Hotel Manila. More than 160 participants attended the event. Sonia and Crissee (center) with the PICPA MMR NGO Summit speakers and panelists The summit’s theme was “Beyond Numbers: Building Resilience in NGOs through Effective Compliance, Governance and Financial Management.” The summit covered topics related to Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) accreditation process and guidelines, areas of evaluation, and the applicable taxes for NGOs. It also covered the tools or accounting systems for NGOs, tips on how to properly handle the challenges and risks faced by NGOs, and common issues encountered by NGOs in relation to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) matters. PICPA MMR NGO Summit attendees PICPA Southern Metro Manila Chapter (SMMC) President Aileen L. Saringan and PICPA Western Metro Manila Chapter (WMMC) President Peter John R. Ventura introduced some of the speakers, while Crissee moderated the technical session on “Common Findings in Evaluating NGOs: Strategies for Addressing and Implementing Corrective Measures.” The roundtable discussion panelists comprised PCNC evaluators and executives from various companies. 

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Benjamin “Benjie” N. Villacorte and Business Tax Services (BTS) Partner Atty. Cherry Liez O. Rafal-Roble were speakers in the 2nd World Clean Energy Philippines Conference + Expo 2023 held at the Novotel Hotel. Benjie and Liez talked about “Carbon Emissions Reduction: Replacing Fossil Fuels in Electricity Generation” and “Philippine Sustainability Laws, Incentives, and Taxation,” respectively.  Liez and Benjie at the at 2nd World Clean Energy Philippines Conference + Expo 2023 Benjie described decarbonization as one of the solutions in mitigating the effects of climate change. He also emphasized shifting to renewable energy as one of the means to securing a sustainable energy future. Liez discussed the impact of relevant legislation favoring cleaner energy sources. The event was organized by Escom Events.

SGV Tax Associate Shania Rose A. Lozano ranked 4th in the May – June 2023 US Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam. She also received the US CMA Distinguished Performance Award for her excellent scores on the exam. The results were announced on 20 September 2023.  SGV Tax Associate Shania Rose A. Lozano, CPA, CMA The CMA title is a credential that represents enhanced expertise in areas of accounting and finance, with competencies in strategic thinking, business analysis, and leadership. It is offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). Congratulations, Shania!

SGV Chairman and Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan was a panelist at the Makati Business Club’s “A CEO Briefing: The State of Sustainability Reporting in the Philippines” on 18 September 2023. The briefing gathered club members, C-Suite level representatives, CSR, Operations, and Sustainability Officers from various organizations. Wilson (lower right) at the CEO briefing Wilson discussed current trends and developments in sustainability reporting and how International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards could impact future sustainability reporting. He reiterated the role of regulators, investors, and stakeholders in the need to communicate sustainability information.

SGV was one of the sponsors of the ISACA Manila annual conference held at Okada Manila from 13 to 14 September 2023. SGV Consulting Principal Lee Carlo B. Abadia delivered a plenary talk on Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its benefits and risks. With the theme “Navigating the Future: Building Digital Trust through Effective IT Governance in the era of Innovate Tech,” this year's conference highlighted the importance of building trust in the digital age and how AI and Information Technology (IT) Governance can play a crucial role in achieving this goal. Lee talks about Generative AI During the plenary session, Lee emphasized the need to be proactive in understanding what Generative AI is in order to maximize its potential and place guardrails on how it could transform the way we live. SGV team receives certificate of appreciation Consulting Senior Managers Aileen Uy and Michael Ignacio led the SGV Booth team with the help of Consulting team members Patricia Ann Dizon, Mydi Nuell Macatiag, Krisha Mae Vinzon, Ronald Cabatingan, and Criselle Angela David; and Pauline Mauleon from Talent. The hybrid conference was attended by 232 in-person and 61 virtual participants. It was organized by the ISACA Manila Chapter led by SGV Consulting Partner Allan W. Ocho who is also the Chapter President. SGV Consulting Senior Managers Elvin Mercader and Mark Javiero formed part of the conference organizing committee as the Program Director and Breakout Moderator, respectively.