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SGV Partners and Managers joined the 2024 Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Metro Manila Region (MMR) Geographical Area Office (GAO) Tax Conference with the theme “Adapting to Change: Navigating Economic Shifts and Tax Reforms and Developments in 2024.” The event was held on 25 June 2024 at the Century Park Hotel Grand Ballroom in Malate, Manila. Around 300 participants attended the event. Tax Conference Co-Chair Meynard Sardalla, PICPA MMR Chair and GAO Regional Director Sonia D. Segovia, SGV Alumni Partner Gerry B. Sanvictores, Tax Conference Committee Chair Maricris U. See, PICPA SMMC President Aileen L. Saringan, and Tax Conference Committee Member Earvin Darren Lee PICPA MMR Chair and GAO Regional Director Sonia D. Segovia and Tax Conference Committee Chair Maricris U. See led the PICPA MMR GAO team. Tax Senior Directors Meynard Sardalla and Earvin Darren Lee served as Co-Chair and Committee Member, respectively. Meynard and Earvin also served as the Masters of Ceremonies during the event. Atty. Deonah discusses cross-border transactions and transfer pricing audit Tax Partner Atty. Deonah L. Marco-Go discussed the transfer pricing rules and regulations in the Philippines, and how they compare to global transfer pricing trends. BIR Commissioner Hon. Romeo “Jun” Lumagui Jr. delivers his keynote speech Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo “Jun” Lumagui Jr. delivered his keynote speech on the BIR’s achievements, ongoing programs, and plans, which aim to promote better taxpayer services and better growth and collections. Panel discussion on handling tax issues, EOPT, cross-border transactions, transfer pricing audit and tax on digital economy with Tax Conference Committee Chair Maricris U. See (right) as panelist (Photos courtesy of PICPA) The session concluded with a roundtable discussion joined by Maricris. Questions and clarifications on the topics discussed and other tax-related queries from the audience were addressed. PICPA Southern Metro Manila Chapter (SMMC) President Aileen L. Saringan, PICPA Western Metro Manila Chapter (WMMC) President Peter John R. Ventura, and PICPA MMR GAO Council Treasurer Francis Ricamora introduced some of the speakers. SGV Tax Partner Frances Rose J. Villamayor was also in attendance.

SGV Chairman and Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, SGV Sustainability Services Partner and Philippine Sustainability Reporting Committee (PSRC) Chair Benjamin N. Villacorte, and SGV Consulting Partner Allan W. Ocho joined the 31st Accounting Teachers Conference organized by the National Association of CPAs in Education (nACPAE). The event was held from 13 to 15 June 2024 at the University of Santo Tomas. SGV Chairman and Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan (second from right) receives plaque of appreciation Wilson engaged with accounting educators and industry representatives as a reactor in the Kapihan Session. He provided insights on the sustainability of accounting education, in relation to UST-AMV College of Accountancy Dean Patricia M. Empleo's presentation. SGV Sustainability Services Partner and PSRC Chair Benjamin N. Villacorte (center) receives plaque of appreciation Wilson also discussed reviving the attractiveness of the accounting practice, emphasizing SGV's role in providing diverse opportunities within the profession, including tax and consulting services, and focusing on culture, continuous learning, and innovation. SGV Consulting Partner Allan W. Ocho (center) receives plaque of appreciation He also highlighted the importance of collaboration with the academe, enhancing the accounting curriculum with current issues like sustainability and cybersecurity, and upgrading the profession's image to attract future talent. The session aimed to redefine the roles of accounting teachers in sustaining the profession beyond the CPA licensure examinations. Benjamin and Allan served as resource speakers for the technical sessions titled "Preparing Accounting Teachers for Sustainability Reporting in the Philippines" and "AI and Professional Accountants: Is AI Coming for Your Job?" respectively.

SGV Cybersecurity Principal Philip B. Casanova was a resource speaker at the ISOG I Am Secure 2024 Colloquium I. The event took place on 13 June 2024, at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), gathering cyber leaders to discuss cybersecurity topics, focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Operations Technology, and Industrial Control Systems (ICS). SGV Cybersecurity Principal Philip B. Casanova at the ISOG I Am Secure 2024 Colloquium I Philip described SGV's involvement in cybersecurity. He presented the Executive Summary of the EY 2024 Global Cybersecurity Insights Study at the event. The study aims to improve understanding of AI's use in cybersecurity and identifies "Secure Creators," organizations that are leading in cybersecurity by adopting AI and other technologies for defense. Philip talks about cybersecurity and AI The colloquium's discussions focused on AI in cybersecurity, outlining the risks and opportunities for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). Philip's presentation also provided insights on integrating AI into cybersecurity strategies. Philip's full video presentation is available on the ISOG YouTube page. The presentation can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/hXFUcARh8lY?si=LFRwJc74vyumDjGU&sfnsn=mo.

SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) Financial Crime Risk Management (FinCrime) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Associate Alech Nicole C. Margallo is now a Certified Audit and Investigations Professional (CAIP), Certified Anti-Financial Crime Professional (CFCP), and Certified Money Laundering Prevention Professional (CMLP).  SGV FSO FinCrime–AML Associate Alech Nicole C. Margallo, CAIP, CFCP, CMLP Alech completed a series of courses and modules and passed the respective online examinations for CAIP, CFCP, and CMLP. She was certified by the Financial Crime Academy, an external online education provider for the global anti-financial crime community. The CAIP certification qualifies professionals to conduct thorough investigations into corporate misconduct. The CFCP certification provides understanding of financial crime prevention frameworks. The CMLP certification focuses on combating money laundering and terrorist financing. Alech quotes Paulo Coelho, saying that impossible is just an opinion. She believes that success is attainable when we believe it is possible.  Congratulations, Alech!

SGV honored nine outstanding individuals in the Firm’s 2024 Learning & Development (L&D) Excellence Awards held on 24 May 2024. Winners were recognized in four award categories, namely Facilitator Impact, Rising Star, Innovation, and Thought Leadership. The individual awardees were recognized for their dedication, expertise, and creativity as outstanding facilitators. The program also highlighted their invaluable contribution to SGV's learning culture and L&D initiatives. SGV L&D Leader Clairma T. Mangangey (left) and SGV Vice Chairman and Deputy Managing Partner Maria Vivian C. Ruiz (right) with SGV L&D Excellence Awardee and Facilitator Impact Awardee Catherine M. Catanyag Consulting Associate Director Catherine M. Catanyag is this year’s grand winner and recipient of both the SGV L&D Excellence Award and the Facilitator Impact Award. In her facilitation, she was cited for having demonstrated a deep understanding of the subject matter, combining theoretical concepts with real-life experiences to help participants navigate the complexities of IT audit work. Beyond facilitation, Catherine serves as the support manager for L&D administrative activities, coordinating with the business and L&D team to align learning maps with global standards and business needs as well as to ensure smooth course operations. (From left to right) Innovation Awardee Jenny Marie C. Dimatatac, SGV L&D Excellence Awardee and Facilitator Impact Awardee Catherine M. Catanyag, Thought Leadership Awardee Hazel N. Sy, Rising Star Awardee Edward Joseph A. Maglinte, Facilitator Impact Awardee Jobelyn D. Casim, SGV L&D Leader Clairma T. Mangangey, Thought Leadership Awardee Evelyn B. Yamzon, and Rising Star Awardees Mykee H. Puno and Ace R. Matibag Assurance Manager Jobelyn D. Casim and Tax Senior Manager Jackie Lou D. Lamug also received the Facilitator Impact Award. This award is given to experienced facilitators who have demonstrated exceptional expertise and commitment in the field of facilitation and have dedicated a significant number of hours to facilitating L&D courses. Assurance Manager Edward Joseph A. Maglinte, Consulting Senior Associate Anthony Arman “Ace” R. Matibag, and Tax Manager Mikhaella Martina “Mykee” H. Puno received the Rising Star Award. This award acknowledges the exceptional potential and talent of up-and-coming facilitators. These individuals demonstrated a strong passion for continuous improvement and were recognized as future leaders in the field of L&D.  Consulting Manager Evelyn B. Yamzon and Tax Senior Manager Hazel N. Sy received the Thought Leadership Award. This award honors experienced facilitators or teams for contributing innovative ideas and insights to the L&D community, pushing the boundaries of traditional training methods, and making remarkable contributions as subject matter resource speakers.  Consulting Senior Associate Jenny Marie C. Dimatatac received the Innovation Award. This award is given to top contributors in learning technologies or the creation of interventions that have improved the learning conduct or L&D processes. The winners received plaques and cash prizes. They were selected through an extensive evaluation process. Consulting Partner Conrad Allan M. Alviz, Assurance Partner Kristopher S. Catalan, Tax Principal Alden Patrick C. Labaguis, Assurance Partner Benigno F. Leongson, SaT Partner Smith C. Lim, and Tax Principal Cecille M. Santillan-Visto comprised the panel of judges. Congratulations to the winners!

The SGV Knowledge Institute in coordination with the SGV Bacolod Office conducted a symposium for business owners entitled “Strengthening Family Businesses for Generations to Come” at Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod on 17 May 2024. GCR Partner Erickson Errol R. Sabile with the symposium participants True to SGV’s Purpose of nurturing leaders and enabling businesses for a better Philippines, the symposium provided insights and strategies to business owners in diverse industries to strengthen and ensure that family businesses will not only survive but thrive for generations to come. SGV Bacolod Partner-in-Charge Djole S. Garcia SGV Bacolod Partner-in-Charge Djole S. Garcia spearheaded the symposium. She was joined by other Partners who attended the event, namely SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, Business Tax Advisory Partner Cheryl Edeline C. Ong, Global Compliance & Reporting (GCR) Partner Erickson Errol R. Sabile, Assurance Partner Kristopher S. Catalan, Consulting Partner Maria Kathrina S. Macaisa-Peña, Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) Leader Aris C. Malantic, and Strategy and Transactions (SaT) Partner Marie Stephanie Tan-Hamed. SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan delivers the welcome remarks BTS Senior Director Anne Margaret E. Momongan-Lim (left) moderates a panel discussion with SGV Partners Kristopher S. Catalan, Aris C. Malantic, Maria Kathrina S. Macaisa-Peña, Cheryl Edeline C. Ong, Erickson Errol R. Sabile, and Marie Stephanie Tan-Hamed The event concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Business Tax Services (BTS) Senior Director Anne Margaret E. Momongan-Lim. The event was attended by representatives from various companies, most of which are members of the Bacolod Filipino-Chinese Junior & Senior Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry. SGV Partners during the courtesy visit Prior to this, the SGV Partners paid a courtesy visit at the Office of the City Mayor of Bacolod and the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (LEDIPO).

SGV Partners and Managers paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines, H.E. Ambassador Endo Kazuya. The visit took place on 5 June 2024. Ambassador Endo assumed his position on 4 April 2024. SGV Partners and Managers with Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines, H.E. Ambassador Endo Kazuya (center) The delegation, led by SGV Chairman and Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, included SGV Vice Chairman and Deputy Managing Partner Maria Vivian C. Ruiz, Japan Business Services (JBS) Assurance Leader Michael C. Sabado, JBS Tax Leader Jonald R. Vergara, and members of SGV’s JBS team, Associate Principal and Japanese Business Council member Hiroshi Nakagawa, and Senior Director and Japanese Business Council member Kazuma Nakagomi. Wilson introduced SGV, outlining the Firm's services and its dedication to fostering Japanese investments and supporting Japanese clients in the Philippines. Vivian highlighted SGV's role as an EY member firm and the close collaboration with EY JBS colleagues in Japan and Asean. The SGV JBS team outlined their focus on addressing the needs of Japanese clients. Ambassador Endo, joined by Minister for Economic Affairs Nihei Daisuke and Financial Attache Sugimoto Kensuke, expressed appreciation for the visit and acknowledged the longstanding relationship between the Philippines and Japan, emphasizing the importance of maintaining and developing the ties established by their predecessors. The meeting also covered discussions on tax issues faced by Japanese companies, including the proposed Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) tax legislation pending in Congress. Insights and implications of the proposed tax measures on incentives for Japanese companies were exchanged. Wilson extended a formal invitation to Ambassador Endo to attend the launch of the latest version of Doing Business in the Philippines in Japanese, scheduled for the week of 5 August 2024, which will also welcome SGV's Japanese clients. As a token of goodwill, Wilson also presented Ambassador Endo with a copy of SGV Founder Washington SyCip’s biography Wash: Only a Bookkeeper, A Biography of Washington Z. SyCip by Dr. Jose “Butch” Y. Dalisay Jr.

SGV launched the Doing Business in Surigao del Norte publication with SGV Partners and Surigao del Norte officials, including Governor Robert Lyndon S. Barbers, Vice Governor Eddie D. Gokiangkee, Jr., and District II Congressman Robert Ace S. Barbers, among other local government officials on 7 May 2024. The publication spotlights potential business opportunities and the province’s investment climate. SGV Partners and Surigao del Norte officials launch the DB in Surigao del Norte publication SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, along with SGV Partners Marie Stephanie Tan-Hamed, Saha A. Bulagsak, and Joseph Ian M. Canlas, local leaders, and business representatives, introduced the publication as part of the "Doing Business in the Philippines" series, aimed at driving economic growth and attracting investors to Surigao del Norte.

SGV Tax Partner Aaron C. Escartin was a speaker at the Iloilo Tax Congress 2024 held at Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo on 8 May 2024. Aaron delivered a presentation on "Insights on Ease of Paying Taxes (EOPT) Act." He shared his insights on the EOPT Act, its expected effects on tax compliance, and provided practical guidance to implement the changes.  SGV Tax Partner Aaron C. Escartin receives his token and plaque of appreciation SGV Partner and Bacolod Office Head Djole S. Garcia also participated in the event and received a certificate of appreciation from the business chamber. Senior Manager Anne E. Momongan-Lim joined Aaron and Djole in the tax congress. SGV Partner and Bacolod Office Head Djole S. Garcia receives her certificate of appreciation The Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI) Iloilo and Association of Certified Public Accountants in Public Practice (ACPAPP) Iloilo, Inc. organized the tax congress, which covered topics such as Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) audits and assessments, regulatory updates, and recent BIR issuances. The event was the first tax congress in Iloilo. SGV’s participation is in line with its tax vision toward a sustainable Philippine tax ecosystem and the Firm’s commitment to nation-building.

SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge and Head Atty. Margaux A. Advincula recently moderated the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Forum on “Unlocking the Investment Potential of New Clark City,” held at Shangri-la The Fort, Bonifacio Global City.  Atty. Margaux as moderator during the BCDA Forum BCDA Officer-in-Charge for Investment Promotions and Marketing Erwin Kenneth Peralta presented New Clark City's key features and investment opportunities. His presentation highlighted BCDA's alignment with the national government's vision for economic and social transformation. He also outlined investment opportunities in New Clark City, such as the Clark Central Business District, envisioned to become the country's largest and most modern business hub, the Clark Integrated Public Transport System, the Clark National Food Hub, the Solid Waste Management and Waste-to-Energy Project, and Affordable Housing in New Clark City. BCDA Officer-in-Charge for Investment Promotions and Marketing Ken Peralta (left) and Atty. Margaux Atty. Margaux led the open forum, encouraging participants to ask questions and share insights on developing New Clark City as an investment destination and strategies to attract foreign investments. Atty. Margaux (first row, seated second from left) with BCDA members Ken Peralta, Rhodenica Latido, Russelle De Guzman, Crinezza Veil Mendoza, Michelle San Juan-De Vera, and Benjamin Abella and representatives from foreign business chambers and offices Josephine Shun (TECOP), Chris Nelson (BCCP), Lorens Ziller (ICCP), Mitchel Smolders, Adrian Gamos (DCCP), Lancelot Perivier (FCCIP), Dennis Quintero (PABC), Mohamed Ahmed (HKA), Julio Amador III (PAEF), Isabelle Cebu (GPCCI), and Guissano Icaranom (KTIPA) Attendees included BCDA members and representatives from foreign business chambers and offices, namely the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (BCCP), the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ICCP), the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (DCCP), the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines (FCCIP), the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (GPCCI), the Taipei Economic and Culture Office in the Philippines (TECOP), the Philippine Australia Business Council (PABC), Haute Kitchens Australia (HKA), the Philippine American Education Foundation (PAEF), and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KTIPA).