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SGV Tax Principal and EY Asean Business Tax Services Leader Atty. Jules E. Riego (JER) was one of the guest speakers at the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) Economic Forum 2023 entitled Philippine Outlook: The Road to Re-Emergence, Recovery, and Rebuilding.The forum was held on 19 January 2023 at the German Club Manila in Makati City. Jules at the GPCCI Economic Forum 2023 Jules shared his knowledge and expertise on the impact of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act and recent regulatory updates for 2023. He also shared his insights on upcoming local legislation such as the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act, the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program, Tax on Digital Transactions, and the Ease of Payment of Taxes Act. SGV Assurance Leader Martin C. Guantes (MCG) and SGV Market Group 3 Leader Henry M. Tan (HMT) also attended the event. 

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Katrina F. Francisco (KFF) and SGV Business Consulting Leader and Institute of Internal Auditors Philippines (IIAP) 2022 Chairman Ryan Gilbert K. Chua (RKC) joined the IIAP Chief Audit Executives (CAE) Forum titled Risks that Matter: Focus on Cybersecurity, Privacy and Sustainability Risks in November 2022 via Zoom. Katrina with the moderators and other speakers The session solicited and drove an exchange of views, insights, and best practices from the panelists, moderators, CAEs, and other attendees in addressing or navigating through cybersecurity, privacy and sustainability risk areas which may have led many companies to rethink or change their business models.  Ryan presents a summary of the session Ryan opened the session and presented a summary of Risks that Matter, gave a recap of the previous sessions that focused on the overall changes brought about by the last two years of immense disruption which impacted government policies, consumer behavior, and organizations’ business models, and the potential of people as the main drivers of disruptive innovations, and set the tone for the panel discussion. This was followed by the panelists’ respective talks and a Q&A session.

Strategy and Transactions (SaT) Senior Manager Lester Jeff D. Pawid is now a fully-fledged Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder. Lester received confirmation from the CFA Institute on 31 January 2023 that after completing the CFA Program, he has now met the work experience requirements for the CFA designation. SaT Senior Manager Lester Jeff D. Pawid, CFA Offered by the CFA Institute, the CFA credential is the standard of choice for investment professionals with real-world analytical skills, technical competence, and high ethical and professional standards. Level 1 of the CFA Program tests a candidate’s knowledge and comprehension of investment tools, while Level 2 focuses on the application of these tools and analysis for asset valuation. Finally, Level 3 synthesizes all learnings in the portfolio management context and incorporates a constructed response component. Candidates who have completed all three levels may seek to earn the CFA Charter after acquiring the required professional work experience.  Lester passed the CFA Level 3 exam in 2022. He says that he is grateful for the support of SaT Partner Marie Stephanie T. Hamed (MTH) who allowed him to start at a later date in SGV so that he could concentrate on his preparation for the exam.  Congratulations, Lester!

SGV Cebu held its first in-person alumni cocktails event in over two years since the pandemic began. The event was held at the new SGV Cebu office on 26 January 2023. It aimed to strengthen the bonds of personal and professional friendships with the alumni. It was also a way for SGV Cebu to thank the alumni for their contributions and support over the years. About 60 SGV Cebu alumni, partners, and managers attended the event.   SGV Partners and Leaders with SGV Cebu Alumni SGV partners, leaders, and alumni delivered their respective messages during the event. SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan (WPT) talked about SGV Cebu's involvement in various projects in the local business community, professional organizations, and local community efforts in line with the Firm’s mission to enable businesses and build a better Philippines.  Market Group 4 Leader Veronica R. Pore (VRP) thanked everyone in attendance and mentioned how the SGV Cebu office is also the alumni’s “home” and that they are welcome to visit anytime. SGV Cebu Tax Partner Saha P. Adlawan-Bulagsak (SAB) shared her realizations on how far SGV Cebu has come, how extensive its networks have become, and how all this has contributed to SGVeans’ exceptional SGV experience that they always carry with them wherever they go.  SGV Cebu Alumnus and former SGV Cebu Partner-in-Charge Ben Dapat gave a short message of appreciation and expressed his willingness to help the Cebu office in any way he can. SGV Cebu Alumna and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Legal Counsel Atty. Mhai Largo also gave a short message thanking her former colleagues and emphasizing SGV’s legacy, which she said is the quality of its people. A short video of SGV Cebu’s history and the Firm’s Purpose song music video were also shown. The event concluded with a toast led by SGV Cebu Partner-in-Charge Margem A. Tagalog (MAT) to the Cebu Office’s past, present, and future. The Cebu Office managers also gave the alumni a brief guided tour of the new office. Assurance Associate Vic Angela L. Jugar served as the emcee.

SGV Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Senior Manager Meynard L. Sardalla received the EY Asia-Pacific Tax Award under the Exceptional Talent category during the EY Asia-Pacific Executive Tax Update held on 1 and 2 December 2022.  Exceptional Talent awardee Meynard L. Sardalla The Exceptional Talent Award is given to exceptional individuals who demonstrate inclusive leadership and embody the EY Purpose and values. The selection process for the awards began with nominations which were assessed by an Asia-Pacific Tax jury. The winners were announced as part of the opening plenary of the Asia-Pacific Executive Tax Update on 1 December. Meynard has spearheaded various initiatives to foster diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, promote work-life integration and professional development, and empower and inspire others. The APAC Tax Awards - Celebrating You, Inspiring Others is the APAC Tax campaign to celebrate behaviors and contributions of individuals and teams that have made a substantial difference in various aspects. The event was attended by Tax Executives from EY member firms in the Asia-Pacific Region. Congratulations, Meynard!

SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) Partner Veronica Mae Arce Balisi (VAB) was a resource speaker at the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) Anti Money Laundering (AML) webinar held on 2 December 2022 via Zoom. SGV sponsored the webinar. Event poster Veronica was joined by FINEX Professional Development Committee Chairman Editha V. Estacio (EVE), who delivered the welcome remarks and was part of the organizing team. Anti-Money Laundering Council Executive Director Atty. Matthew M. David was the keynote speaker. Veronica talked about AML and how the Philippines can get out of the grey list. She said that building a strong AML culture would enhance compliance, reduce regulatory risks, and improve AML efficiency. She added that it is also important to hold people accountable for the compliance framework.   Veronica talks about fighting money laundering Veronica shared five key takeaways during the session: 1. Covered institutions should be more involved in conducting institutional risk assessments (IRAs) to determine appropriate mitigating controls and identify heightened or emerging risks; 2. Know-your-client (KYC) and customer due diligence (CDD) should be linked with the transaction monitoring exercise; 3. AML/CTPF programs should not be seen as merely a compliance matter; instead, covered institutions should harness their benefits to have a better understanding of their customers and recognize that a good AML/CTPF risk management framework creates a good brand and reputation for the company; 4. Financial institutions and law enforcement agencies alike don’t just need new technology — they need to adopt a new way of working; and 5. Building a strong AML culture will enhance compliance, reduce regulatory risk, and improve efficiency in AML/CTPF.  She concluded her talk by encouraging the attendees to fight money laundering, which may also be related to online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC), prostitution, human trafficking, and drug dealing. She said that one should not compromise one’s profession, firm, or company by accepting clients that may be involved in money laundering. Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) Philippine Chapter Co-Chairman Atty. Karla Denise Frias led the panel discussion and the webinar concluded with a message from FINEX Professional Development Committee (PDC) Co-Chair Paul San Pedro. PDC Liaison Director Ronald Luis Goseco served as the Master of Ceremonies.

SGV Partners Jose Pepito “Pepz” E. Zabat (JEZ), Hentje Leo L. Leaño (LLL), Eleanore A. Layug (EAL), and Alexis C. Zaragoza (ACZ), SGV Senior Policy Adviser Ambassador and DIWATA Chairman Delia Domingo Albert (DDA), and Market Group (MG) 7 Senior Managers Marc Bonnie Wong, Marco Rene Barredo, Leo Niño Canlas, and Juan Gabriel Ma. Cagampan participated in the 68th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) held from 15 to 18 November 2022 at the CAP–John Hay Trade and Cultural Center.  Leo, Aris, Delia, Eleanore, and Pepz with former SGV Partner Jaime F. del Rosario, DIWATA Founding President Atty. Patricia A. O. Bunye, Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) President Luis R. Sarmiento, ASEAN Eng., and other ANMSEC participants The conference featured mine safety field demonstrations and competitions and mining, metallurgical, geological, and environmental symposia. The safest mines and the best mining personalities/professionals were also recognized during the event.  Eleanore, Pepz, and Delia with former SGV Partner Jaime F. del Rosario and other DIWATA members In one symposium during the conference, DIWATA Chairman DDA and DIWATA President EAL led the launch of the DIWATA Awards. The Awards will recognize outstanding social development and management programs of companies belonging to the Philippine minerals industry. DIWATA – Women in Resource Development Inc. is an NGO advocating for the responsible development of the Philippines’ wealth of resources in the fields of mining, oil and gas, quarrying, and other mineral resources. Pepz, Eleanore, Delia, and Aris with former SGV Partner Jaime F. del Rosario and other ANMSEC attendees Representatives from mining companies, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and its attached bureaus and agencies, and other Philippine mining industry stakeholders (students, teachers, professional organizations, etc.) attended the event.

SGV’s Consulting Team joined the 5th annual summit organized by the Business Continuity Managers Association of the Philippines (BCMAP) titled “Resiliency and Sustainability: Our Path to the Future.” The summit featured sessions on how organizations can navigate their future by embracing resiliency and sustainability in their portfolios and programs. It was held from 1 to 2 December 2022.  Alvin presenting at the BCMAP Summit Senior Director Alvin G. Manuel talked about cyber response and resiliency in the Philippine context on the first day of the Summit. He discussed how organizations can use cyber resiliency principles to manage and respond to complex disruptions.  Judd and Sheena presenting at the BCMAP Summit Associate Directors Judd P. Tablazon and Sheena E. Borlaza talked about decarbonization towards a climate-resilient and sustainable future. They discussed the current landscape of climate change in the Philippines, as well as the role of Business Continuity Managers and Risk Managers in approaching the response to manage climate change and implement decarbonization. CCaSS team members Paula Cecilia Camille Rodriguez and Gregory Ryan Tan assisted in preparing the materials for the talk on sustainability and decarbonization.  Consulting Associate Director Jay S. Yabes served as a panelist for the second day. In the members’ meeting held after the summit, Alvin and Jay were also elected as Directors of the BCMAP for 2023. BCMAP is a non-profit organization established to promote best practices and standards for business continuity and disaster recovery.

SGV Business Consulting Partner Conrad Allan M. Alviz (CMA) and Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Director Diana Sadili-Chu conducted an online webinar on Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) Reporting titled “Sustainability and Integrated Reporting: Leading Beyond the Numbers” on 18 November 2022. The webinar was organized by members of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) in Doha, Qatar.  Conrad and Diana receive their Certificates of Appreciation Conrad and Diana talked about creating long-term value with sustainability, sustainability reporting and assurance, global developments and the regulatory landscape for sustainability reporting, and how accountants can lead on sustainability and climate action. They also encouraged the attendees to participate in the webinar through interactive polling questions.

SGV served as the Technical Adviser for the 1st Manila Bulletin (MB) Sustainability Forum: Beyond Green held in November 2022. The event recognized the Sustainability programs or initiatives from different companies and one government agency. Event poster SGV’s Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) team provided sustainability advisory support to Manila Bulletin in terms of the development of MB’s qualitative assessment checklist for its selection of sustainability programs and initiatives of companies to be recognized. The team also provided comments and suggestions on the checklist prepared by MB for its qualitative assessment of sustainability programs and/or initiatives recognized in the MB Sustainability Honors List 2022.  Benjamin with MB Publishing Corporation President Dr. Emilio “Emil” Yap III Diana and Benjamin with MB Business Development Manager Jordan Tan and MB sales consultant and columnist Philip Cu-Unjieng SGV was represented by SGV Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) and CCaSS Partner Benjamin N. Villacorte (BNV) and CCaSS Director Diana Sadili-Chu in MB’s special recognition event at the City of Dreams Manila on 24 November. The recognition night honored companies and institutions that have been selected by MB for their contribution towards making a sustainable Philippines a reality. Benjamin with Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco The MB Sustainability Honors List 2022 is an initiative by MB to bring forward conversations about sustainability, with the ultimate goal to become a platform that raises awareness about sustainability in the country.