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The SGV Clark Tax team hosted an in-person tax updates seminar with the Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) at the SGV Clark Office on 10 March 2023, with more than 150 attendees. The seminar focused on customs compliance, transfer pricing rules, and the electronic invoicing system for various Clark locators. Event poster Leo, Auresana, Margaux, Assistant Commissioner Janette Cruz, CILA President Dr. Frankie Villanueva, Ana, and Victor CILA President Dr. Frankie Villanueva kicked off the event by welcoming various Clark locators and delivering his opening remarks. SGV Tax Partners Atty. Victor C. De Dios (VCD) and Atty. Ana Katrina C. de Jesus (ACJ), and BIR Assistant Commissioner for Client Support Service Janette Cruz were the speakers for the seminar. They discussed updates on their respective topics while SGV Clark Partner-In-Charge and Head Atty. Margaux A. Advincula (MAA) moderated the Q&A session.  Margaux (right) during the Q&A session SGV Tax Partners with BIR RDO 21C Chief Juvy Dela Peña, BIRAssistant Commissioner Janette Cruz, and CILA President Dr. Frankie Villanueva SGV Global Compliance Reporting (GCR) Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño (LLL), Tax Partner Auresana B. Ines (ABI), Market Group 7 Leader Jose E. Pepito Zabat (JEZ), and Tax Senior Associate Atty. Fatima Kate Garo also attended the event. BIR RDO 21C Deputy Chief Juvy Dela Peña was one of the guests. 

The SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) team, along with guest speakers from ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions (ACEN RES), hosted the third episode of the Sustainable Actions for Value-Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council's WebCCaSS for FY23 on 3 March 2023. The session, titled "Flip the Switch: Moving towards the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP)," informed SGVeans on the Firm’s transition to renewable energy, the benefits of switching to renewable energy through GEOP, and ways to responsibly manage individual electricity consumption.  Clairma delivers her opening remarks SGV Chief Sustainability Officer Clairma T. Mangangey (CTM) delivered her opening remarks and talked about the relevance and timeliness of renewable energy as a solution for climate change. The presenters during the session were CCaSS Manager Judd Tablazon, CCaSS Senior Associate Goldianne Madriaga, and CCaSS Associates Emmanuel Regondola and Annabel Coronel who covered topics on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the greenhouse effect, global warming, and computing GHG emissions.   ACEN RES Assistant Vice President for Commercial Operations and Head of Account Management Ela Mina and ACEN RES Account Manager Jaime Dayrit talk about GEOP The event was also graced by ACEN RES Assistant Vice President for Commercial Operations and Head of Account Management Ela Mina, and ACEN RES Account Manager Jaime Dayrit who shared details about GEOP. They shared how the program will help reduce SGV’s emissions through the switch to renewable energy. The session concluded with a Declaration of Commitment called “A Plan Towards a Responsible Action” encouraging SGVeans to take a step toward responsible electricity consumption.

The Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) team hosted a Sustainabits session on “Office Ergonomics: The Role of Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) in Office Settings,” which aimed to orient and inform the SGV community on the importance of good working conditions. The virtual session was attended by 534 SGVeans. CCaSS Manager Brenda Estonanto, CCaSS Partner Conrad Allan M. Alviz (CMA), and CCaSS Associate Eloisa Malaluan welcome the participants to the Sustainabits session Business Consulting and CCaSS Partner Conrad Allan M. Alviz (CMA) welcomed everyone to the session and shared his personal experience on following basic Occupational Health and Safety policies. CCaSS Manager Brenda Estonanto supported by her team, CCaSS Senior Associate Francis Jemaiya Arce and CCaSS Associates Eloisa Jean Malaluan and Emmanuel Regondola, spearheaded the discussion.  CCaSS Associate Eloisa Malaluan discusses the basic definition of office ergonomics The session covered four main topics, namely, the basis for office safety, office hazards and preventive measures, office ergonomics, and the introduction of the CCaSS EHS solution cluster. The discussion began with a video clip showing how complacency is the breeding ground for accidents, then proceeded to some insights on the legislation and department orders focusing on ensuring a safe working environment. The second part focused on the types of hazards encountered in the office or at home, and how these hazards affect individuals, while the third part focused on ways to prevent injuries and how to eliminate these hazards.  The team also presented the potential risks of EHS-related concerns to businesses. The team discussed how the CCaSS EHS solution cluster could help businesses avoid these risks and damages by offering services that will help companies to manage EHS-related liabilities such as EHS Risk Assessment and Management, EHS Due Diligence, and EHS Management Consulting Services. To conclude the session, SGVeans were encouraged to show their commitment in promoting a safe working environment and make SGV a better working space for everyone.  For those who were not able to attend the session, the session recording can still be accessed through this link.  The Sustainable Actions for Value Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council’s Sustainabits initiative is a half-hour webcast that covers ideas, movements, principles, and industry best practices around sustainability, social equity, and climate change.

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Senior Associate Jouelle Hannah Nerveza was the resource speaker in a seminar on sustainability with the theme “Refining Business Practices Through Sustainable Marketing.” The seminar was organized by the BSBA major in Marketing Management faculty of the College of Business Administration and Accountancy, Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila on 16 February 2023. Jouelle receives Certificate of Appreciation Jouelle introduced SGV, CCaSS, and SGV’s journey toward sustainability. She discussed the four pillars of sustainability - economic, environment, social and governance - and its drivers - regulators and government, investors, NGOs and communities, employees, customers, and private entities. She also shared the significant sustainability developments in the standards and guidance around sustainability reports.  Jouelle talked about examples of greenwashing, which is the practice of deceptive marketing to make an organization or product appear environmentally friendly, to help consumers identify products that make misleading environmental claims. She highlighted the importance of marketing professionals in the promotion and implementation of sustainable practices within the company or organization. She also emphasized the significance and principles of sustainable marketing and how it differs from traditional marketing. Jouelle wrapped up her presentation by sharing how marketing professionals can lead in the sustainability space. She also encouraged participants to begin their journey towards sustainability. 

The core committee members of the 1st GCR Tax Compliance Congress paid courtesy calls on the resource speakers from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) on 8 and 9 February 2023. GCR Leader Sonia D. Segovia (SDS) led the SGV Team with GCR Partner Maricris U. See (MUS) and Senior Directors Meynard L. Sardalla and Earvin Darren L. Lee. SGV GCR team presents certificate and token of appreciation to BLGF OIC Executive Director Pamela P. Quizon The GCR Team together with International Tax and Transaction Services (ITTS) Leader Fidela I. Reyes (FIR) visited the BIR National Office and met with Assistant Commissioners Jannette R. Cruz and Marietta U. Lorenzo on 8 February. The following day, the GCR team met with BLGF OIC Executive Director Pamela P. Quizon at the BLGF Office in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) offices in Manila.  SGV GCR team presents certificate and token of appreciation to BIR Assistant Commissioner Marietta U. Lorenzo During the courtesy visits, the GCR team and the resource speakers discussed areas of possible collaboration between SGV and the respective government agencies. The GCR team presented certificates and tokens of appreciation to the resource speakers for their invaluable support during the 1st GCR Tax Compliance Congress.  SGV GCR team presents certificate and token of appreciation to BIR Assistant Commissioner Jannette R. Cruz The courtesy visits to the BIR and BLGF were in keeping with SGV’s vision of a sustainable Philippine tax ecosystem where regulators are business partners in achieving inclusive and resilient economic growth.

The Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) team held its 1st SGV GCR Tax Compliance Congress on 2 February 2023. The virtual event was anchored on the theme “Adapting to the Changing Tax Compliance Environment” and was attended by over 800 participants from SGV and other external organizations. Event poster SGV GCR Leader Sonia D. Segovia (SDS) formally opened the Congress while SGV Tax Leader Atty. Fabian K. Delos Santos (FKS) delivered a message to the attendees. EY Asean Tax Leader Amarjeet Singh, EY Asean GCR Leader Julian Wong, and SGV Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Ma. Vivian C. Ruiz (VCR) also graced the event and delivered messages on the significant role of tax compliance in the ever-changing taxation landscape in the Philippines and in the region. SGV GCR team presents e-certificate and token to BIR Assistant Commissioner Hon. Marietta U. Lorenzo For the technical sessions, GCR Partners Josenilo G. Mendoza (JGM) and Aaron C. Escartin (ACE) discussed key insights on year-end tax compliance and reportorial requirements, and the differences between current and deferred income tax with the aim of bridging the gap between accounting and tax rules, respectively. GCR Partners Maricris U. See (MUS), Joanna T. Dela Chica (JTC), Don Don T. Mojica (DTM), Hentje Leo L. Leano (LLL) and Michael A. Madlangbayan (MAM) served as moderators during the technical sessions. There were also resource speakers from the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) at the Tax Compliance Congress. BLGF OIC Executive Director Hon. Ma. Pamela P. Quizon discussed local tax updates and real property valuation reform. BIR Assistant Commissioner Hon. Marietta U. Lorenzo provided an outline of the plans and programs of the Bureau for 2023 and beyond, while BIR Assistant Commissioner Hon. Jannette R. Cruz gave updates on BIR’s E-invoicing project. GCR Senior Directors Meynard L. Sardalla and Marivic M. Rebulanan hosted the morning and afternoon sessions. Maricris was the lead partner for the GCR Tax Compliance Congress, with Sonia as the overall partner-in charge. Among the core organizing committee members of the event were Michael, Don Don, Senior Directors Earvin Darren L. Lee, Christiene Lawrence R. Matic, Meynard L. Sardalla, and Associate Director Nicolo Paolo C. Senatin.  The GCR Tax Compliance Congress is aligned with the SGV Tax team’s vision toward a sustainable Philippine tax ecosystem where the taxpayers are educated on tax rules and willing to comply, and where government agencies are the taxpayers’ business partners.

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Directors Diana Sadili-Chu and Ricardo “Ricky” S. Maulion, Jr. were resource speakers at a PICPA Eastern Metro Manila Chapter (EMMC) webinar on Sustainability and Integrated Reporting: Leading beyond the Numbers on 10 February 2023.Ricky (top left) and Diana (second from top left) with the webinar organizers and participantsDiana talked about creating long-term value through sustainability and the practice of sustainability reporting and assurance. She emphasized that, as responsible organizations, companies need to disclose their commitment to and focus on long-term value creation to their stakeholders, and that sustainability reporting is an effective tool to achieve this objective. Meanwhile, Ricky’s discussion focused on global developments and the regulatory landscape of sustainability reporting and how accountants can lead on sustainability and climate action. He highlighted that globally, organizations and countries are moving toward the same direction in terms of sustainability reporting, which is the mandatory reporting of key metrics. He underscored that the webinar participants, as accountants, play a critical role in sustainability and climate action, particularly on the integration of the accounting and finance function with non-financial reporting processes and controls based on their experience and knowledge of leading practices.

SGV Tax Senior Manager Atty. Karen Calam-Ibañez was a speaker at the 2023 European Honorary Consuls' Meeting organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Visayas Chapters on 30 January 2023 at Citadines Cebu City. 30 honorary consuls, key government officials, and representatives from different foreign embassies and business associations attended the meeting. Atty. Karen talks about relevant business and regulatory matters Atty. Karen discussed the business and regulatory landscape in the Philippines from a legal perspective. Other speakers discussed topics covering recent political and economic developments in the Philippines and in ASEAN, as well as the policies and advocacies of the business community between Europe and the Philippines. In addition, the Honorary Consuls for Visayas gave an update to the Heads of Missions on the present business environment and how the Philippines compares to its ASEAN counterparts. Atty. Karen (fourth from left) with the other speakers Other speakers were Senior Economist at ING Bank Philippines Nicholas Antonio Mapa, ECCP Board Member Jochen Bitzer, Minister Counsellor and Head of the Economic and Trade Sector Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines Philipp Dupuis, Honorary Consul for Visayas and Mindanao, Consular Office of Switzerland Mathias Bergundthal, Honorary Consul of the British Consulate in Cebu City Tamsin Monahan Booth, and ECCP Executive Director Florian Gottein. They talked about the 2023 Philippine Economic Outlook, Business Outlook & ECCP 2023, the EU-Philippines Trade and Investment Strategies & Recent Political Developments, updates on the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)-Philippines Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and economic partnership, updates on the UK-Philippine economic ties, and the EU-ASEAN Business Sentiment - Business Outlook for 2023, respectively. Honorary Consuls Mark Frondoso from the Czech Republic, Alexander Hey from Sweden, Enrison Benedicto from Belgium, and Vice Consul Joan Young-Tiu from Norway were also present.

SGV Assurance Senior Managers Alvin Regaspi Lagrimas and Leomar G. Velez and Assurance Senior Associate Lois Dane R. Fernandez received individual awards in the Inclusiveness & Teaming category at the 1st Asia-Pacific Financial Services Organization (FSO) Assurance Recognition Program on 16 January 2023. The members of the SGV Global Bank Audit Team, namely Assurance Senior Managers Von Zierwin M. Villanueva and Angelica Joyce D. Tan and Assurance Associate Nestor Pabalinas Tulang received the team award for the Innovation category at the same event. Inclusiveness & Teaming category individual award winners Alvin, Leomar, and Lois Innovation category team award winners Von, Joyce, and Nestor of the SGV Global Bank Audit Team Alvin, Leomar, and Lois received the Inclusiveness & Teaming category award for leading and positively impacting their teams’ experiences and the working environment with inclusive and teaming behaviors. Meanwhile, the SGV Global Bank Audit Team composed of Von, Joyce, and Nestor received the Innovation category award for transforming and innovating the way the Firm delivers services to its global bank audit clients. Know more about their stories and how their contributions have made an impact with both their clients and within SGV here.  Congratulations to our winners!

Forty-five SGV CPAs, including former leaders, alumni, and current SGV Chairman and Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan, are among the country’s 100 Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) who will be conferred the Accountancy Centenary Award of Excellence by the Professional Regulation Commission’s Board of Accountancy (BOA) in celebration of 100 years of the accountancy profession in the Philippines.  The Centenary awardees are Filipino CPAs who have demonstrated unquestionable integrity, contributed immensely to the advancement of the accountancy profession, and participated remarkably in national development. Forty-eight of the awards will be conferred posthumously, while 52 will be given during the conferment ceremonies on 17 March 2023 at the Manila Hotel. SGV recognizes the awardees’ extraordinary accomplishments and commitment to the profession, which have greatly advanced the practice of accountancy in the Philippines.  The former and current SGV awardees are: Founders Washington SyCipAlfredo M. Velayo Chairs and Managing Partners Roberto V. OngpinRizalino S. NavarroGloria Tan ClimacoCarlos R. AlindadaCesar Antonio V. PurisimaDavid L. BalangueCirilo P. NoelJ. Carlitos G. CruzWilson P. Tan Alumni Partners Guillermo N. CaragueEduardo B. De GuiaBaltazar N. EndrigaAurora T. GarciaAntonieta Fortuna IbeJaime C. LayaRoberto G. ManabatMario T. Mananghaya Leonardo J. Matignas, Jr.Benjamin R. PunongbayanEugenio R. ReyesJose T. SioProtacio T. TacandongJoel L. Tan-TorresEduardo M. Villanueva Alumni Pio D. BacongaJaime J. BautistaRosario S. BernaldoMa. Elenita B. CabreraLeonardo D. Cuaresma, Jr.Corazon S. Dela Paz-BernardoLuis C. DiazKim Jacinto-HenaresJeffrey C. Lim Roque A. LimEugene T. MateoDr. Rufo R. MendozaGregorio S. NavarroRaul C. PagdangananJune Cheryl C. RevillaAlicia LL. ReyesNestor V. TanMa. Violeta V. VicenteManuel B. Villar, Jr.   SGV also proudly honors exceptional alumni who served as past members of the BOA and who have been bestowed Recognition Awards by the current BOA for acting as “Guardians of the Profession Through the Years.”  These awardees are:  Alumni Partners  Gerard B. SanvictoresBetty C. Siy-Yap Alumni Eliseo A. AurelladoVioleta J. JosefWinefreda O. MadarangCarmelita G. SalgadoLucila C. Tarriela Congratulations to our outstanding CPAs!