May 2021

Strategy and Transactions Partner Marie Stephanie Tan-Hamed (MTH) was among the speakers at the Philippine Association of Realty Appraisers, Inc. (PARA) webinar series titled Expanding the Valuation/Appraisal Horizon last 17 April. With the theme Tomorrow’s Real Estate Today, the speakers shared insights on topics relevant to the future of the real estate sector such as Philippine property market updates, property measurement standards, green building and sustainable design, and amending the Anti-Money Laundering Act. MTH led a session on Fair Value – Valuation for Financial Reporting and provided an overview of valuation concepts, appraisal methods, as well as the latest developments in Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS) on Fair Value Measurement. She then shared insights on how appraisers can properly issue fair value measurements in compliance with PFRS and the requirements on financial statement disclosures.
The Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) conducted a webinar titled Impact of CREATE to Franchising Businesses on 23 April. PFA Deputy Executive Director Jake Santos hosted the event and PFA Director for Education Alan Escalona welcomed over 80 participants from PFA member companies to the webinar. Tax Partner Cheryl C. Ong (CCO) discussed the salient features of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act and its corporate tax adjustments. She covered the proposed rationalization of fiscal incentives and other provisions. Afterward, she shared insights on the next steps participants can consider to maximize the incentives under the Act.   The session was followed by a Q&A portion led by CCO and Tax Senior Director Karen Mae Calam-Ibañez. PFA President Sherill Quintana delivered the closing remarks and briefly discussed the value of learning more about how the Act can help franchisers and their businesses manage the challenges of the pandemic. The SGV organizing team was led by EY Private Partner Kristopher S. Catalan, Tax Partner Cheryl Edeline C. Ong, and Senior Directors Felinor G. Pascua and Karen Mae L. Calam.
Financial Services Organization (FSO) Partner Veronica Mae Arce Balisi (VAB) conducted Session 3 of the Capital Markets and Fixed Income Securities Course for the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) Academy on 12 April. Over 60 sales, finance, compliance and legal professionals participated in the webinar. Some attended to expand their professional development and others to prepare for their SEC certification exam. VAB discussed the basic concepts of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Terrorist Financing (CTF). She provided an overview of global regulators and updates on local AML/CTF regulations, such as the amendments on certain provisions of the 2018 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9160, as Amended. She then explained the preventive measures of covered persons/institutions for capital markets and the fixed income securities industry. FSO Associate Lindza Julao facilitated quick knowledge checks after every unit where participants reviewed their learning progress through short quizzes on the concepts discussed.