2020

SGV Partners participate in PICPA Risk Summit  Several SGV Partners took part in the first-ever Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Risk Summit last 1-2 October. With the theme Business Unusual during COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond, the summit discussed the pandemic’s impact on businesses and provided sessions on information security, digital platforms, navigating investment risks, and coping beyond adequate business continuity programs. Over 600 participants from the commerce and industry, academic, and government sectors attended the event.   MUS and MCM presenting at the Summit  SGV Tax Partner and PICPA Southern Metro Manila Chapter President Maricris U. See (MUS) delivered the opening remarks on the Summit’s first day and emphasized the value of embracing change to strengthen resilience and enhance professional and personal growth. Market Group 2 Leader and PICPA National Executive Vice President Marydith C. Miguel (MCM) welcomed participants to the second day of the Summit and highlighted the role of professional accountants in strengthening their organizations’ adaptability and resilience.  CGD, CGL and LJM presenting at the Summit  Consulting Partner Carlo G. Dimarucut (CGD) discussed information security risks in digital transformation and alternative work arrangements. EY ASEAN Risk Management Leader, SGV Chief Risk Officer, and Consulting Partner Leonardo J. Matignas (LJM) discussed audit and risk considerations for online platforms and digital environments. Financial Services Consulting and Government and Public Sector Leader Christian G. Lauron (CGL) moderated a session on managing investment risks during the pandemic.  

Tax Associate named SGV’s first Young Tax Professional of the Year  SGV Tax Associate Leanne Aila Monserate from SDS cluster was named the Young Tax Professional of the Year (YTPY) Philippines 2020 last 12 October. The local competition consisted of panel interviews, case studies and oral presentations. Judges during the first panel interview were Tax sub-service line leaders, while judges for the final part of the competition were Tax Leader Fame delos Santos, Consulting Leader Rossana Fajardo, Strategy and Transactions Leader Noel Rabaja, and Market Group 8 Leader Jun Torres. The other YTPY Philippines finalists were Tax Associates Charmaine Joyce Yu, Denise Marbella and Kyra Montalbo.    Leanne Monserate  Leanne will represent the country in the Global YTPY competition on 23-24 November. EY Young Tax Professional of the Year is an international competition designed to reward and foster the next generation of tax leaders. The global winner will receive a 30-day world business trip, including 10 days of organized visits to EY centers in key markets.   Good luck, Leanne! 

Clark conducts CREATE webinar with AFAB  SGV Clark and Tax Partners Hentje Leo L. Leaño (LLL) and Margaux A. Advincula (MAA) led a tax briefing on the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) bill for members of the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB). AFAB Administrator Engr. Emmanuel D. Pineda welcomed over 80 representatives from different companies and organizations to the event.  LLL and MAA presenting at the AFAB webinar  The speakers discussed the latest updates on the CREATE bill, including its salient features and its potential impact on the Bataan locators. They also explained the proposed adjustments in corporate tax and rationalization of fiscal incentives.   Participants included AFAB Registration Division OIC Alejandro Sugatain, Enterprise Services Officer IV Krizzia Katrina Ocampo, Attorney III Reshel Amor Apigo, Atty. Kara Herrera of the Office of Congressman Jose Enrique Garcia, and SGV Clark Partner-In-Charge Peps Zabat. The webinar was moderated by Tax Associate Director Michael Ray Lapasaran. 

Tax Partners hold webinar with SEIPI SGV Tax Partners Cheryl C. Ong (CCO) and Deonah Marco-Go (DMG) were resource speakers at the General Membership Meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI) held last 17 September.   CCO led the discussion on the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) bill and its salient provisions. She also provided insights on how companies can maximize the incentives under the bill and prepare for the proposed tax reforms.   DMG discussed the latest BIR Transfer Pricing issuances, particularly Revenue Regulations No. 19-2020 which prescribes the use of the new BIR Form No. 1709, and Revenue Memorandum Circular Nos. 76-2020 and 98-2020 which clarify certain issues on the filing of BIR Form No. 1709 and its attachments. She discussed the issuances’ salient provisions and how taxpayers can comply with the new requirements. 

Consulting holds Risk Management webinar   SGV’s Consulting team organized a webinar titled Managing Third-Party Risks using Service Organization Controls (SOC) reports – COVID-19 Considerations on 24 September. The webinar provided a high-level overview on how organizations can manage risks in processes outsourced to third-party service providers through SOC reports.  Consulting Partner Allan W. Ocho (AWO) provided an overview of Trust by Design, a methodology that helps businesses build mutual trust between their company and their third-party service providers. He discussed the key drivers, trends, risks and benefits of third-party risk management, emphasizing the third-party risk assessment process and execution.   AWO and RKC with the Consulting webinar organizing team  SGV Business Consulting Leader Ryan K. Chua (RKC) provided an overview of SOC Reporting, its benefits, importance, and relevance to stakeholders. He also presented sample case studies of SOC Reporting in incident management and payroll processing, among others. He then spoke on the challenges that businesses and their third-party service providers encounter during the pandemic, emphasizing changes to systems and controls. He ended the discussion by presenting action steps that participants may implement in their organizations to maximize SOC Reporting and effectively manage third-party risks.    Over 260 chief risk and compliance officers from various industries, such as banking & capital markets and wealth and asset management sectors, attended the event. Consulting Manager Ma. Isabel Herrera moderated the session. The webinar’s organizing team included Consulting Senior Manager Dara Ledda Urbiztondo, Senior Associates Michelle Helena Uy and Joshua Salvador, and Associate Bianca Monalize Pagarigan.   

Talent joins EY Rebuilders Campaign  SGV’s Talent team, together with the EY Talent community, participated in the EY Global Campaign last 14-25 September. With the theme Rebuilding Your Working World, the program aimed to help those impacted by the pandemic to rebuild and restart their careers through a series of Facebook Live workshops on recruitment-related topics.    JOM, Michelle, Krista, KC, Camille and Mariane during the Facebook Live sessions with other members of the EY Talent community  Talent Leader and Assurance Partner Julie O. Mateo (JOM) was one of the speakers at the Inspire & Ignite Graduate Session where she shared stories on her career journey. She encouraged participants to keep an open mind and explore and widen their career options. She also shared tips on how graduates can navigate the new normal working world. SGV Employer Branding Supervisor Michelle Ong moderated the session. Other speakers included Financial Services Organization APAC Talent Leader Young-Sook Stewart and APAC Talent Attraction and Acquisition Director and Global Strategy and Transactions Recruiting Lead Eva Brookes.  Talent Associates Krista De Guzman, KC Dilla, Camille Pascual, and Mariane Riano participated in different Facebook Live sessions on the four crucial areas in rebuilding one’s career journey: becoming one’s best self, creating an effective resume, building a personal brand, and preparing for an interview.  Over 7,400 people from 99 countries joined the Rebuild Your Working World Facebook group, and over 20,000 viewers tuned in to the live sessions. For more information about the campaign, please visit EY.com. 

MCM inducted as First Member of PRC CPD Council   Market Group 2 Leader Marydith C. Miguel (MCM) was inducted as the First Member of the Professional Regulation Commission Continuing Professional Development (PRC - CPD) Council for Accountancy, representing the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA). PRC Chairman Hon. Teofilo S. Pilando, Jr. led the virtual ceremony on 6 October. PRC Board of Accountancy Chairman Hon. Noe G. Quiñanola was also inducted as the Chairman of the Council. Other attendees included PRC Commissioners Hon. Yolanda D. Reyes and Hon. Jose Y. Cueto, Jr.  The CPD Council for Accountancy is responsible for the promotion and implementation of programs aimed at the continuous improvement of knowledge, skills and competencies of professional accountants.  Congratulations, MCM! 

SGV Partners and Senior Director join PCA forum  SGV Market Group 8 Leader Narciso “Jun” T. Torres (NTT), Assurance Partner Wenda M. Loyola (WML) and Strategy and Transactions Consultant Alex Dacanay were guest speakers at the Philippine Constructors Association, Inc. (PCA) Talks series on 19 September. With the theme Looking Ahead: What Our Future Looks Like, the webinar discussed the pandemic’s impact on the Philippine construction industry. Representatives from PCA member companies attended the briefing.     NTT provided an overview of SGV and its services. WML presented a market outlook of the construction sector and discussed latest updates and key forecasts on the global, Asian and Philippine construction markets. Emphasizing the pandemic’s impact on construction and infrastructure, she presented key trends in public infrastructure and green investments, public-private partnerships, and public transit, among others. Alex then shared Philippine economic updates and key economic growth drivers and trends in the construction industry. He discussed the government’s Philippine Program for Recovery with Equity and Solidarity (PH-PROGRESO) plan, including the Bayanihan I and II Acts.   The presentations were followed by a panel discussion led by PCA President Will Decena, SMC TPLEX Corporation Chairman Rogelio Murga, DATEM, Inc. President Morris Agoncillo, and Congressman Bayani Fernando. They discussed the challenges that construction companies face in restarting their businesses and action plans on how they can strengthen their operations and increase their resilience

Alumni Partners attend virtual Executive Briefing  SGV hosted an executive briefing for its Alumni Partners last 25 September. The briefing focused on the challenges that businesses continue to face during the pandemic. Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson Tan delivered the opening remarks and emphasized that organizations should reshape their businesses to prepare for a world beyond the pandemic.   Speakers and participants at the Executive Briefing  SGV Strategy and Transactions Consultant Alex Dacanay began the session with an overview of the Philippine economy. He discussed the pandemic’s impact on businesses and consumer spending. He also provided an overview of the government’s programs and issuances aimed at strengthening health services and supporting low-income communities.   SGV Consulting Leader Rossana A. Fajardo (RAF) discussed the pandemic’s future impact across four domains: the global order, societies and economies, firms and markets, and households and individuals. She explained how the pandemic will affect globalization, urban landscapes, talent management, and individual lifestyles. She also emphasized the value of digital transformation to drive innovation and growth within an organization. RAF also presented principles that business leaders can follow to guide their organization through and beyond the pandemic. 

CCaSS holds virtual signing ceremony with PCEx  SGV’s Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Team, led by CCaSS Partner Benjamin N. Villacorte (BNV), organized a virtual signing ceremony with Plastic Credit Exchange (PCEx). The ceremony formalized the Firm’s engagement with PCEx aimed at upholding transparency and driving long-term growth in the organization.     Nanette Medved-Po and Richard De Guzman presenting at the virtual signing ceremony  PCEx Founder Nanette Medved-Po welcomed participants to the event and thanked SGV for supporting the organization’s core sustainability initiatives that aim to deliver solutions to global environmental issues. PCEx Sustainable Community Development Manager Richard De Guzman moderated the session and provided an overview of the organization’s services and operations. He discussed their plastic offsetting and crediting program and plastic neutral certification process which aim to help businesses reduce plastic waste and achieve plastic neutrality.   CCaSS Senior Associate Yna Antipala then presented an overview of SGV’s CCaSS offerings and solutions, including the EY Sustainability Assurance Methodology. BNV delivered the closing remarks and emphasized the Firm’s commitment towards building a future with economic stability and environmental security.   SGV Partners and staff with Nanette and Richard during the virtual signing ceremony  Participants at the event included SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson Tan, Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Vivian Ruiz, Learning and Development Leader and CCaSS Partner Clairma Mangangey, Market Group 7 Leader Aris Malantic, Assurance Senior Partner Itos Cruz, and Tax Partner Sonia Segovia.   PCEx is a non-profit organization that partners with sustainability-conscious businesses around the globe to responsibly offset their plastic footprint and reduce the flow of plastic waste into landfills and oceans.