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SGV Tax Leader Atty. Fabian “Fame” K. Delos Santos, SGV Tax Partner Atty. Betheena C. Dizon, and Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Senior Director Mary Grace N. Cabalida were resource speakers at the Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. (PASEI) briefing for the EduTraining Series #1. The event was recently held at the SGV Makati office. It aimed to enhance the understanding of BIR Audit Preparation and the provisions of the newly enacted Ease of Paying Taxes (EOPT) Law for PASEI's members. SGV Tax Partner Atty. Betheena C. Dizon and SGV Tax Leader Atty. Fabian K. Delos Santos (center) with PASEI members PASEI Chairman Emeritus Edwina L. Beech opened the event. This was followed by PASEI Corporate Secretary Dr. Cristina Castañeda’s introduction of the SGV Team.  Atty. Fame discusses BIR Audit preparation Atty. Fame discussed common issues and strategies for handling BIR Audits, while BCD discussed the provisions and recent tax developments in Republic Act No. 11976 or the Ease of Paying Taxes (EOPT) Law. Atty. Beth was joined by GCR Senior Director Mary Grace N. Cabalida.  Atty. Beth talks about the EOPT Law and relevant recent tax developments Business Tax Associate Director Atty. Tracie Kathlynne B. Bacarro hosted the event. Several GCR Senior Associates were also present. PASEI President Raquel E. Bracero delivered the closing remarks. The resource speakers received certificates of appreciation and attendees were handed participation certificates as part of the closing ceremony.

SGV Partners and Managers joined the 2024 Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Metro Manila Region (MMR) Geographical Area Office (GAO) Tax Conference with the theme “Beyond Compliance: Transcending Regulatory, Tax Challenges and Opportunities.” The two-day event was held at the Century Park Hotel Grand Ballroom in Malate, Manila. Around 200 participants per day attended the event. Tax Conference Committee Co-Chair Meynard Sardalla, PICPA MMR Chair and GAO Regional Director Sonia D. Segovia, Tax Conference Committee Chair Maricris U. See, and Tax Conference Committee Member Earvin Darren Lee PICPA MMR Chair and GAO Regional Director Sonia D. Segovia and Tax Conference Committee Chair Maricris U. See led the PICPA MMR GAO team. Tax Senior Directors Meynard Sardalla and Earvin Darren Lee served as Co-Chair and Committee Member, respectively. Meynard and Earvin also served as the Masters of Ceremonies during the event. Tax Conference Committee Chair Maricris U. See talks about the BIR’s 2024 Priority Plans Tax Partner Aaron Escartin during his lecture on gearing up for annual income tax activities Tax Conference Committee Chair Maricris U. See discussed the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR’s) 2024 Priority Plans and recent regulatory updates, while Tax Partner Aaron Escartin discussed the essentials and dos and don’ts in preparing the 2024 Annual Income Tax Return, which is due for filing on 15 April 2024. Aaron also joined a roundtable discussion with Tax Partner Atty. Thyrza Marbas on Day 1. PAS Immigration and ITTS Advisory Leader Atty. Fidela Reyes receives certificate and token of appreciation People Advisory Services (PAS) – Immigration and ITTS Advisory Leader Atty. Fidela Reyes was the guest speaker for Day 2. She discussed the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) 2.0 Pillar and highlighted its global and local tax impacts. Atty. Fidela, along with the other Day 2 speakers also addressed questions and clarifications from the audience during the roundtable moderated by Maricris. Earvin, Peter, Sonia, Aileen, Maricris, and Meynard pose for a group photo PICPA Southern Metro Manila Chapter (SMMC) President Aileen L. Saringan, PICPA Western Metro Manila Chapter (WMMC) President Peter John R. Ventura, and PICPA MMR GAO Council Treasurer Francis Ricamora introduced some of the speakers.

Financial Services Organization (FSO) Financial Crime Risk Management (FinCrime) Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Associate Renson John N. Chavez passed the Sept - Oct 2023 Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam. The results were announced on 12 December 2023. FSO FinCrime – AML Associate Renson John N. Chavez, CPA, CMA Renson said that his journey toward getting certified was not easy but through prayers and motivation, he was able to strive and continue with his journey. The CMA title is a credential that represents enhanced expertise in areas of accounting and finance, with competencies in strategic thinking, business analysis, and leadership. It is offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).  Congratulations, Renson!

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Principal Bonar A. Laureto was a panel discussion moderator at the Climate Investment Forum (CIF) 2023: Unlocking Climate Resilience and Low-Carbon Investment Opportunities for the Private Sector held at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila. The CIF is one of the flagship events of the Climate Change Commission (CCC) for the commemoration of the 16th Annual Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week. SGV CCaSS Principal Bonar A. Laureto (right) with panelists DOTr ASec. Leonel Cray De Velez (left) and DOE Assistant Director William Quinto (center) Bonar moderated the panel discussion featuring Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary for Planning and Project Development Leonel Cray De Velez and Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Policy and Planning Bureau Assistant Director William G. Quinto. The panelists talked about steering investments toward low-carbon pathways. They also discussed the DOTr and DOE’s programs and initiatives surrounding mass transportation and renewable energy, respectively.  SGV CCaSS Principal Bonar A. Laureto with Climate Change Commission, Climate Change Office, Deputy Executive Director ASec. Romell Antonio Cuenca (Photo courtesy of the Climate Change Commission via Facebook) Bonar also raised key questions during the panel discussion, such as the Philippines’ plan on net zero, potential investments that will move the Philippines toward a low carbon economy, enabling policies of the two government departments, and the use of sustainable materials for infrastructure projects. Other discussions covered during the forum focused on (1) policy drivers adopted by the government to catalyze private sector-led investments, (2) sectoral needs to determine investment areas of the private sector, and (3) challenges and bottlenecks observed in advancing investments for climate change initiatives. CCaSS Senior Associates Zoe Aurora H. Romero and Raymond R. Paras at the CIF 2023 Bonar was joined by CCaSS Senior Associates Zoe Aurora H. Romero and Raymond R. Paras, who supported and assisted him during the forum. The CIF 2023 highlighted potential investment areas to be explored by the private sector on various climate-related measures, as driven by policies and mechanisms set by the national government.

SGV tabulated the results of The Business Manual’s 1st CEO Awards held on 28 January 2024 at Shangri-la The Fort. The tabulation team was headed by EY Philippines Private Leader and Assurance Partner Kristopher S. Catalan. EY Philippines Private Leader and Assurance Partner Kristopher S. Catalan and Assurance Manager Krys Joanne J. Adison at The Business Manual’s 1st CEO Awards The SGV tabulators were EY Philippines Private Leader and Assurance Partner Kristopher S. Catalan, Assurance Manager Krys Joanne J. Adison, and Senior Associates Casey Andrea D. Abejar and Hersheyllane A. Gilbuena. SGV supports similar events that allow the Firm and its members to make purposeful connections and celebrate accomplished Filipino entrepreneurs and business leaders.  ​ The Business Manual honored 20 of the country’s most influential CEOs, leaders who have displayed exemplary leadership in their respective industries and made significant societal contributions. Five CEOs who embody the publication’s values in line with its mission to Engage, Inspire, Empower, and Educate aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs were also honored during the event.   CEO awardees (left) and Entrepreneurial Excellence awardees (right) “The CEO Awards recognize the remarkable contributions of visionary leaders whose relentless dedication have fostered innovations, shaped industries, and set benchmarks for excellence in our country,” The Business Manual Editor-in-Chief RJ Ledesma said. Read more on The Business Manual: https://thebusinessmanual-onemega.com/

SGV Assurance Associate Claribelle D. Lee ranked 4th in the Sept - Oct 2023 US Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam. She also received a Certificate of Distinguished Performance Award for completing the exam. The results were announced on 31 January 2024.  SGV Assurance Associate Claribelle D. Lee, CPA, CMA The CMA title is a credential that represents enhanced expertise in areas of accounting and finance, with competencies in strategic thinking, business analysis, and leadership. It is offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). Congratulations, Claribelle!

Financial Services Organization (FSO) Financial Crime Risk Management (FinCrime) Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Associate Jason Fernandez won a gold medal in the 2024 Jager Manila Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship held on 13 January 2024 at Ayala Malls Circuit, Makati.  FSO FinCrime - AML Associate and Jiu Jitsu gold medalist Jason Fernandez Jason believes that building a strong body builds a strong mind and that experiencing hardship plays an integral part in his journey. As part of his training regimen, he also trains for wrestling and judo, along with his strength and conditioning program.  Jason has also garnered medals in other high-level jiu-jitsu competitions such as the Pan Asian, and International Open.  The 2024 Jager Manila Open Jiu Jitsu Championship was organized by the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation of the Philippines (BJJFP) in cooperation with Jager, one of Korea's largest competition organizers. Congratulations, Jason! 

SGV Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Maria Vivian C. Ruiz and SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Benjamin N. Villacorte, along with other members of the Makati Business Club (MBC), met with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner Bryant Fernandez in January 2024.   MBC-SEC meeting attendees (Photos courtesy of MBC) They discussed the revised guidelines on Sustainability Reporting, which would require companies to submit more evironmental, social and governance (ESG) information following global metrics. MBC representatives shared concerns around the challenges of getting some of the required disclosures. SGV served as MBC's technical adviser last year for an MBC report on the State of Sustainability Reporting in the Philippines, which was also shared with the SEC as a policy input. The SEC has required publicly listed companies to submit an annual sustainability report since 2019. The MBC’s work on sustainability and access to information is supported by the Center for International Private Enterprise, a US-based institute that works to support democracy and to strengthen the private sector. 

In pursuit of continuous learning and professional growth, SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) Financial Crime Risk Management (FinCrime) Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Associate Director Michael Ranz Luigi G. Tabar has obtained multiple certifications. Ranz is now a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Professional (CAMP), Anti-Financial Crime Professional (CFCP), and Certified Audit and Investigations Professional (CAIP).  SGV FSO FinCrime – AML Associate Director Michael Ranz Luigi G. Tabar, CPA, CAMP, CFCP, CAIP Ranz completed a series of courses and modules and passed the respective online examinations for CAMP, CFCP, and CAIP. He was certified by the Financial Crime Academy, an external online education provider for the global anti-financial crime community, in January 2024. The CAMP certification enables professionals to enhance their organization’s AML capabilities and build up their career in financial crime prevention.  The CFCP certification is intended for professionals in departments and functions such as compliance, anti-financial crime compliance, fraud investigation, fraud detection, internal controls, fraud risk management, and internal audit.  The CAIP certification enables professionals to carry out an exhaustive investigation of a company or enterprise to find instances of misconduct by management, staff, or outside parties. Ranz quotes Ashok Veda, saying that upgrading one’s skills is not an option but a necessity. Congratulations, Ranz!

SGV conducted a briefing on the Philippine business climate for members of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s Trade Mission on 29 January 2024 at the Bayanihan Conference Room in SGV Makati. The Trade Mission provided participants a first-hand view of potential investment opportunities in the country to the member-delegates.  SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge and Head Atty. Margaux A. Advincula (left) and former Ambassador Delia D. Albert (right) during the briefing SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge and Head Atty. Margaux A. Advincula together with former Ambassador Delia D. Albert welcomed the delegates to SGV. They were joined by SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan. SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan delivers his message SGV Strategy and Transactions Senior Manager Lester Jeff D. Pawid led the discussion on the country’s economic outlook, providing an overview of the Philippine economy and then discussing Philippine macroeconomic, industrial and policy updates.  Lester leads discussion on the Philippines’ economic outlook The discussion was followed by an open forum, where Lester was joined by Atty. Margaux. They answered questions from the delegates and discussed priority industries, renewable energy, and promotion of sustainability in the country, among others. SGV Partners and Managers with the BCC Trade Mission delegates Hon. Consul General Senen Mangalile and BCC Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer Kathie Lee also delivered their respective remarks during the event. They were joined by delegates from the BCC: BCC President & CEO Randy Peers, BCC Manager of Global Affairs Avi Leshes, Industry City Managing Partner Jim Somoza, GreenPower Associates CEO Ian Minerve, President/CEO of Marous Law and VA for Professionals Gabriel J. Marous, Esq., Seek Health AI Founder & CEO Kim de los Reyes, Seek Health AI Co-founder & CTO Jeff Bargmann, and Filipino Community Leader in New York City Roberto Dumaual. On 1 February 2024, the delegates also visited the Clark Freeport Zone. They met with representatives from the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC). The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) gave them a tour of the Clark Activity Center. They also toured New Clark City and areas within the Clark Freeport Zone. The Trade Mission was organized by the Office of the Philippine Consulate General in New York in collaboration with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.