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The SGV Tax team and Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran (SPARK!) Philippines met with Quezon City Government officials to discuss the SGV Tax team’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) initiatives on 28 July 2022. SGV Tax team and SPARK! Philippines representatives with QC Mayor Joy Belmonte and QC PESO Chief Rogelio Reyes The SGV Tax team together with SPARK! Philippines representatives Executive Director Maica Teves and Project Officer Margot Catmunan met with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Quezon City Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Chief Rogelio Reyes, City Government Department Head III Ma. Margarita Santos, and Quezon City Small Business and Cooperatives Development Promotions Office (SBCDPO) Head Mona Celine Yap to explore equal employment opportunities, foster gender-sensitivity awareness and social equity in workplaces, and share knowledge and skills for a better Philippines in line with the SGV Tax team's DE&I vision.  Mayor Joy welcomed the Team and expressed her eagerness to help in the proposed projects. She shared some of her experiences in resolving workplace discrimination, harassment, and biases. QC PESO Chief Rogelio affirmed the LGU’s willingness to support the SGV Tax team in their proposed programs by streamlining candidates, especially those in marginalized communities, for possible employment at SGV. Ms. Margarita added that they are willing to screen qualified QC citizens from their pool of talent and assess their capabilities. Meanwhile, Ms. Mona enumerated possible collaborative projects focusing on the areas of business registration, advantages of tax compliance, securing Mayor’s Permits, and basic taxation laws. The SGV Tax team was led by ASEAN Tax DE&I Lead Atty. Victor C. De Dios (VCD). Other members of the SGV Tax Team included Indirect Tax Senior Directors Atty. Alden Patrick C. Labaguis and Atty. Jo Ann Marie O. Casio, Associate Directors Atty. Gracia Mae A. Beronilla and Atty. Dawna Fya O. Bandiola, and Senior Associates Atty. Catriona Janelle V. Gayatin and Atty. Andrea Nicole C. Loreno. 

Members of the SGV Tax team headed by Tax Partner Cheryl Edeline C. Ong (CCO) facilitated a webinar entitled “Extending Business Operations with Confidence: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Philippine Incorporation Process” in collaboration with the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) on 28 July 2022. SGV Tax Team with ECCP Tax Senior Director Anne Margaret E. Momongan discussed the different types of business enterprises, as well as the legal bases for incorporation, with a focus on the Revised Corporation Code (R.A. 11232, as amended) and relevant Memorandum Circulars from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  Meanwhile, Tax Director Virnee Joy T. Agot-Ting guided participants through the SEC’s Electronic Simplified Processing of Application for Registration of Company (eSPARC) system. She also talked about the registration requirements to be submitted to other government agencies, relevant deadlines, and the recently relaunched Philippine Business Hub. Tax Senior Associate Marla Arielle B. So moderated the live Q&A event while Tax Senior Associate Joseph Santiago E. Quiño was part of the event’s organizing team.

SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan (WPT) was one of the speakers at the 9th PICPA Cebu Summit held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu City from 21 to 22 July 2022. SGV was a co-presenter of the Summit. WPT during the Summit WPT talked about the future of Sustainability Reporting and other Financial Reporting implications. He discussed the current landscape of sustainability reporting, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Sustainability Disclosure Standards Exposure Drafts, the financial reporting implications of COVID-19, and some accounting issues in relation to the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, SGV Tax Partner Atty. Cheryl Edeline C. Ong (CCO) served as a moderator in one of the talks during the first day. CCO received the Presidential Service Award from the PICPA Cebu Chapter in grateful appreciation of her outstanding performance, enormous contributions, wholehearted dedication, and selfless service to the Chapter and its general membership in FY 2021-2022. The SGV Cebu booth at the summit was manned by Managers Shea Go, Jayvee Anga, GJ Cobosa and Seniors Atty. Ernest Co and Nikko Recentes.

Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Director Erika N. Courteille was a speaker at the 3rd virtual session of the 2022 Business Leadership Program (BLP) organized by The American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) of the Philippines, Inc. on 13 June 2022. The AmCham BLP is an intensive immersion program where top students in the country are exposed to leading companies for talks, discussions, and mentorships to build their strengths as future business leaders. SGV is one of the sponsors of the program. Erika talks about ESG  Erika provided an introduction to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues. She discussed the basics of ESG, as well as the role of SGV in sustainability and sustainability reporting. She also gave a preview of the 2nd edition of SGV's Beyond the Bottom Line: Sustainability Reporting in the Philippines, a report containing a review of listed companies’ 2020 sustainability reports.  Erika with the BLP participants Erika concluded the session by providing examples of how students can contribute to sustainability efforts. She also entertained questions from the participants. More than 30 selected students attended the event. 

Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Angeles City Chapter officers paid a courtesy call on SGV Clark Partners and staff on 6 July 2022.  SGV Clark team with PICPA officers MG7 Leader Jose Pepito Zabat led the SGV team with Tax Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño, Tax Senior Director Leo Niño Canlas, and Associate Directors David Jonathan Manalili, John Marti Duya, Keith Derick Silva, Ezra Yumul, and Alyssa Antonio. They met with PICPA Angeles City Chapter President Dr. Myrna C. Calma, Public Relations Officer Mariel Pamintuan-Palo, and PICPA National Committee on Awards Chair Anna Lissa Chua-Dycaico. They discussed possible projects, programs, and collaborations between the PICPA Angeles City Chapter and SGV Clark. This was followed by an awarding ceremony where SGV Clark received a certificate of appreciation for its continued support for the Chapter.

SGV Cebu hosted cocktails on 20 July 2022, with SGV Cebu clients and SGV leaders in attendance. SGV ChairmanWilson Tan giving his welcome remarks SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan welcomed everyone to the event and talked about how glad he was to have the opportunity to reconnect with clients and friends and reestablish professional relationships with the Visayas business community as the country recovers from the challenges brought by the COVID pandemic. He also spoke about SGV Cebu's contribution to the province through the Firm’s active involvement in various projects in the local business community, professional organizations, and local community efforts.  “We will maintain our innovative edge by continuing to anticipate the City’s and the region’s changing business needs and build the highest-performing teams that can ably and effectively address these needs. With our Cebu team leading the way, we are confident that SGV Cebu will continue to grow and shine in keeping with our Purpose of nurturing leaders and enabling businesses to build a better Philippines for our people, clients, and communities,” Wilson said. SGV Partners and clients Meanwhile, Assurance Leader Martin C. Guantes emphasized the Firm’s continuing commitment to improve knowledge and skills for audit quality to enhance investor confidence. SGV Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Vivian C. Ruiz and Market Group 4 leader Veronica R. Pore thanked everyone for their continued trust and confidence in SGV. SGV Partners and clients SGV Cebu Partner-in-charge Margem A. Tagalog led a toast to the deep friendship and professional relationship between SGV and the Visayas business community. The SGV Cebu office managers also gave the clients a brief guided tour of the new office. Cebu Senior Tax Associate Atty. May Matuguina was the emcee during the event.  SGV Partners and clients SGV Partners Jun T. Torres, Michael C. Sabado, Alvin M. Pinpin, Aris C. Malantic, Jhoanna C. Go, Jose Raoul Balisalisa, Cheryl C. Ong, Saha A. Bulagsak, Ma. Genalin Q. Arevalo, and Genghis O. Grospe also attended the event. 

Members of the SGV Consulting team joined the second annual ISACA Manila Faculty Summit with the theme Emerging Technology: Risk and Rewards on 16 July 2022. The Faculty Summit aimed to raise awareness of the basic concepts around various emerging technologies.  2022 ISACA Manila Faculty Summit resource speakers ISACA Academe Committee Director and SGV Consulting Senior Director Elvin Mercader spearheaded the planning and organization of the Faculty Summit and provided the opening and closing statements. The breakout sessions featured Consulting Senior Director Alvin Manuel and Consulting Associate Director John Panes, who shared their insights on artificial intelligence and cloud technology, respectively, and how they can impact the education sector. ISACA Manila President and Consulting Partner Allan W. Ocho was one of the panelists. He shared his perspectives on how and why the business community, and particularly the education sector, need to adapt to the study and use of these emerging technologies. He also shared some insights and upskilling techniques to help educators keep up with technological developments. More than 90 educators from about 50 different schools and universities across the Philippines attended the talks on emerging technologies such as cloud, blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IOT). The event garnered positive feedback from the participants. The virtual event was organized by ISACA Manila, a professional organization composed of information security, assurance, risk management, and governance professionals. Its purpose is to help communities achieve the positive potentials of technology. SGV partners and managers continue to be actively involved as leaders and volunteers in ISACA Manila. 

Members of the SGV Indirect Tax team hosted a webinar entitled Customs Updates 2022: An overview of Post Clearance Audit Hot Issues and Recent Customs Issuances for member companies and other representatives of the Super Green Lane (SGL) Association on 20 July 2022.   Customs Updates 2022 speakers SGV Indirect Tax Senior Director Atty. Alden Patrick C. Labaguis and Associate Director Atty. Gracia Mae A. Beronilla led the webinar. The virtual session was coordinated by Logistics Sector Leader and Indirect Tax Principal Stephanie V. Nava and organized by Indirect Tax Senior Associates Kierk Robin M. Ret, Andrea Nicole C. Loreno, and James E. Gregorio. Atty. Gracia began the discussions by summarizing recent customs updates. She talked about the Customs Bonded Warehouse including its establishment and control, the Admission Temporaire or Temporary Admission (ATA) System, Guidelines for Accreditation of Importers and Customs Brokers, and Guidelines in the implementation of the Liquidation and Billing system and post-entry modification of the Single Administrative Document (SAD). Atty. Alden discussed issues under Post Clearance Audit.  Attorneys Gracia and Alden, along with SGL Association President CJ Garcia, addressed inquiries from the participants during the open forum. Deputy Commissioner of Assessment and Coordinating Group, Bureau of Customs Operations Atty. Edward James Dy Buco gave the opening remarks while Atty. Alden gave the closing remarks. In closing, Atty. Alden thanked the participants and ensured them that the SGV Indirect Tax Team is always eager to host subsequent webinars for the SGL Association. 

Ten SGV Partners and one Manager were sworn into national, regional, and chapter officer positions during the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) turnover and induction ceremonies held on 24 June 2022 at The Oriental Leyte. PICPA officers and members Outgoing President Marydith C. Miguel turned over PICPA leadership to Dr. Erwin Vincent G. Alcala and the new set of officers. She also expressed her gratitude for the opportunity of a lifetime to serve the Institute in such a capacity. She capped off her message by recounting the achievements and accomplishments of the organization during her term and expressed hope for the continuity of these programs. The following SGV Partners and Manager were inducted into national, regional, and chapter offices: Marydith C. Miguel – ex-officio President; Chair, Awards CommitteeJohn T. Villa – Treasurer, PICPA National Board; Chair, Investments CommitteeLucy Lim-Chan – Chair, Ethics CommitteeSonia D. Segovia – Chair, Accountancy Week CelebrationJoseph Ian M. Canlas – Chair, Risk Management CommitteeMaricris U. See – Chair, Annual Planning Conference CommitteeHentje Leo L. Leaño – Co-chair, Annual National Convention CommitteeMeynard A. Bonoen – Chair, Induction and Turnover Ceremonies CommitteePeter John R. Ventura – Chair, Membership Development CommitteeMichael A. Madlangbayan – President, Eastern Metro Manila Chapter; Co-chair, Accountancy Week CelebrationMeynard L. Sardalla – Co-Chair, Annual Planning Conference Committee They were inducted into office by the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy (PR BOA) Chair, Hon. Noe G. Quiñanola.

Members of the SGV Tax Team conducted a seminar on Transfer Pricing: Overview & Updates with PortCalls on 22 July 2022.  Representatives from different logistics companies in the Philippines participated in the joint event, which was held at the Holiday Inn & Suites Makati. Atty. Alden, Atty. Rhena, and PortCalls Director Ms. Mariel Kiatchko SGV International Tax Partner Atty. Auresana B. Ines and SGV Indirect Tax (IDT) Senior Director Atty. Alden Patrick C. Labaguis led the topic discussions. Atty. Rhena discussed concepts and relevant transfer pricing issuances. She also explained the process of preparing transfer pricing documentation. Meanwhile, Atty. Alden gave a brief discussion on how transfer pricing adjustments on imported goods may have customs implications, such as customs duties and value-added tax (VAT) on importation. Both speakers addressed questions from the participants during the open forum.  The onsite seminar was made possible through the initiative of SGV Logistics Leader and IDT Principal Stephanie V. Nava in collaboration with PortCalls. PortCalls is a news and data provider for cargo transport and logistics professionals. IDT Senior Associates Lauren Antonette M. Mendoza, Ernest Joshua G. Ardiente, Kierk Robin M. Ret, and Andrea Nicole C. Loreno were part of the seminar’s organizing team.