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SGV Tax Partner Atty. Auresana “Rhena” B. Ines was the keynote speaker at the “Transfer Pricing Rules & Electronic Invoicing/Receipting System Updates” webinar organized by the Association of Pharma Financial Executives, Inc. Around 50 financial executives attended the webinar, which was held via Zoom, on 21 September 2023. Atty. Rhena (center) with webinar participants Atty. Rhena provided an overview of the electronic invoicing and receipting system and discussed rules on Transfer Pricing. She also talked about the recent developments on Transfer Pricing audit.

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.

SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) Assurance Partner Glenda C. Anisco-Niño was a resource speaker at the joint webinar with EY Singapore and EY Malaysia entitled “Ignite your sustainability journey with the new ISSB standards” on 15 September 2023. A total of 456 financial institution representatives and regulators, with more than 300 participants from the Philippines, attended the webinar. Glenda presents her topic Glenda discussed the key features of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Sustainability Disclosure Standards, IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information, and IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures. Glenda with the other EY speakers during the Q&A session Other speakers provided an overview of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and its purpose and discussed other related topics such as impact on your companies’ sustainability disclosures, current state and next steps, and A deeper dive: Singapore. 

SGV Partners and Managers joined the 2023 Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Metro Manila Region (MMR) Geographical Area Office (GAO) Tax Conference with the theme “Beyond Numbers: Reinforcing the Roles of Regulators and Accountants for Effective Tax Compliance.” The event was held from 14 to 15 September at the Century Park Hotel Grand Ballroom in Malate, Manila. Around 400 participants per day attended the event. Group photo with Earvin, Sonia, Crissee and Meynard PICPA MMR Chair and GAO Regional Director Sonia D. Segovia and Tax Conference Committee Chair Maricris “Crissee” U. See led the PICPA MMR GAO team. Tax Conference Committee Co-Chair Meynard Sardalla and Tax Conference Committee Member Earvin Darren Lee were the Masters of Ceremonies during the event. MUS discussed the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR’s) 2023 Priority Plans highlighting its Digital Transformation Program, as well as its focus on Taxpayer Services, and Audit and Enforcement Program. Philippines and Asean Business Tax Services (BTS) Leader Jules E. Riego capped off Day 1 with his discussion on “How to Properly Manage a Tax Audit.” He highlighted the basic procedures of a tax audit, cited real cases, and provided tips in handling various situations which may occur during a BIR tax audit. Jules discussing the BIR tax audit process SGV Tax Partners Atty. Margaux A. Advincula and Atty. Cherry Liez Rafal-Roble were panelists in a roundtable discussion covering fake receipts and ghost companies in fake transactions. MUS moderated the roundtable discussion. Earvin presents certificates and tokens of appreciation to Crissee, Liez, and Margaux Margaux also joined another roundtable discussion which covered hot tax topics and some controversial taxpayer issues and concerns. 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. SGV Tax Partners Atty. Tesi Lou Guanzon and Jay Ballesteros also joined the conference. The conference was also graced with the presence of Albay Representative Hon. Jose “Joey” Salceda and the virtual presence of BIR Commissioner Hon. Romeo “Jun” Lumagui, Jr. As the conference’s guest speakers, they answered tax questions and tax concerns from the participants.

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 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. 

Financial Services Organization (FSO) Technology Consulting Principal Anurag Mishra was a panelist in the 2023 Temenos Cloud Forum for Philippine banking professionals. Anurag talked about banking transformation and explained that the cloud could help banks efficiently scale their operations and design more engaging customer experiences. Anurag (right) at the 2023 Temenos Cloud Forum for Philippine banking professionals “One of the most important shifts that is happening is on the customer side. Banking is going to transition while customers are demanding ‘hyper-personalization’ – and that requires new technologies. Today is the best time to shift from a technology perspective because the number of options to deliver on customer experience is huge and the cloud can solve specific problems,” Anurag said. Representatives from leading banks in the country also exchanged insights on key banking innovation trends, lifecycle banking, small and medium enterprise (SME) digital banking, and cloud banking.

Financial Services Organization (FSO) Technology Consulting Principal Anurag Mishra was a panelist in the inaugural Citi Philippines Securities Services forum organized by Citi Securities Services Philippines. Anurag was joined by Citi Philippines CEO Paul Favila and Citi Philippines Securities Services Head Tiffin Tanseco.  Forum photos courtesy of Citi Securities Services Philippines Key asset managers and asset owners attended the forum, which also featured other speakers from The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE), the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Sun Life, and Citi subject matter experts. They covered topics on macroeconomics, intelligent operations, blockchain, digital assets, innovation, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG).

SGV Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Senior Director Meynard L. Sardalla was the guest speaker at the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants – Polytechnic University of the Philippines Taguig (JPIA-PUPT) Chapter year-end program held on 18 September 2023. Meynard delivered an inspirational talk to over 150 accountancy students. Meynard receives a certificate of appreciation from members of the JPIA-PUPT Chapter Meynard shared his experiences and struggles as an accounting professional and emphasized the importance of stewardship, grit, and vibrance in achieving goals and aspirations.  The year-end program recognized student leaders who have excelled in various leadership domains such as inclusivity, civic engagement, innovation, and other values of a professional accountant.