February 2022

SGV Consulting Partner Carlo G. Dimarucut (CGD) participated as a thought leader and moderator in an event organized by Rockbird Media titled 8th Digital Transformation Asia 2021 - A Virtual Strategy Meeting in the Philippines on 10 November 2021. CGD shared his insights during the deep-dive discussion, A future-ready organization: How an integrated risk management reduces business disruption. CGD with other speakers at the event The event served as an avenue for business leaders and tech industry experts in the Philippines to connect and collaborate. It featured trending topics such as innovative tech, cutting-edge strategies on Data Science, Intelligent Automation, 5G Tech, Agile & DevOps, Data Center Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Cloud, Artificial Intelligence and other tech-related topics. Other thought leaders included Hungry Workhorse Founder and CEO Rey Lugtu, Cypher Learning Founder and CEO Graham Glass, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence - Philippines Country Manager Allen Guo and others.

To inspire SGVeans to nurture connections amidst trying times, the SGV Consulting team conducted the 5th installment of the SheInspires webinar series entitled Corona Love: Love Under Lockdown on 17 December 2021. More than 300 people from SGV attended the event. The webinar took the form of a dialogue moderated by Consulting Partner Jan Ray G. Manlapaz (RGM) and Tax Principal Victor C. De Dios (VCD). Panelists and moderators with RAF and MDM The webinar focused on how the pandemic has been affecting relationships. Panelists shared their personal relationship stories and the roles they have assumed since the pandemic started. They also offered support by expressing their thoughts, feelings, and anxieties, reassuring the participants that they will get through the pandemic together with their partners. Other key takeaways from the event included lessons on the importance of choosing a life partner and how strong relationships are founded on trust, clear communication, and self-worth. Tax Partner Margaux A. Advincula (MAA), Assurance Partner and BES-BSG Head Alvin M. Pinpin (AMP), Consulting Manager Mina L. Sanchez and Consulting Senior Associate Jastine Casco were the panelists at the event. The webinar concluded with the panelists sharing their insights on long-lasting relationships.

SGV Indirect Tax & Global Trade Senior Director Atty. Alden Patrick Labaguis and Cybersecurity Technology Consulting Senior Director Mark Anthony Javiero, together with Climate Change and Sustainability Services Associate Director Ma. Rebecca Ruiz were the guest speakers at the Association of Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI) Finance Executives (ASEFEX) Fourth Quarter General Membership meeting on 16 December 2021.   Atty. Labaguis was invited to share his insights on the amendments to the CREATE Law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations. Mr. Javiero, on the other hand, discussed the ins and outs of Cybersecurity and how well the industry is protected from cyberattacks. Lastly, Ms. Ruiz discussed decarbonization of current industry practices and sustainable solutions.  The meeting concluded after an open forum where the speakers addressed the participants’ questions.  Participation in the virtual briefing was coordinated by Logistics Industry Leader and Tax Principal Stephanie V. Nava (SVN) and Technology Industry Leader and Assurance Partner Manolito R. Elle (MRE). The briefing’s coordination and organizing team included Tax Associate Director Gracia Mae A. Beronilla and Tax Senior Associate Roland Joseph C. Mendoza.

SGV Consulting Senior Advisor, former Consulting Partner and 2020-2021 President of the Asian Confederation of Institutes of Internal Auditors (ACIIA), Rebecca G. Sarmenta (RGS), was a speaker during the ACIIA Audit Committee Forum 2021 event that was conducted on 18 November 2021 in South Korea. RGS at the Asian Confederation of Institutes of Internal Auditors (ACIIA) Audit Committee Forum 2021  The event was hosted by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Korea and was physically and virtually attended by more than 300 internal audit professionals from 17 countries.  Participants included Audit Committee members, Chief Audit Executives (CAEs), Certified Internal Auditors (CIAs), directors and managerial executives, and internal auditors from South Korea and other countries. With the theme of “Beyond Change; Leading through a crisis,” the event was aimed at enhancing the value of internal auditors and the IA role in ensuring competitiveness in today’s environment characterized by unprecedented change and disruption.  RGS presented the results of the survey conducted by ACIIA and SGV on Internal Audit Transformed: Emerging Risks, Trends, and Opportunities.  The survey results show that as IA moves forward to a future with significant uncertainty, the IA function must evolve by recalibrating its methodology, operational model, technology and talent to flexibly address rapid changes in the business environment. IA is  well-positioned to challenge and advise on the risk landscape that business leaders should consider.

Financial Services Organization (FSO) Partner Veronica Mae Arce Balisi (VAB) conducted the third Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Counter Terrorism and Proliferation Financing (CTPF) training session for the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) Academy. The Capital Markets and Fixed Income Securities Course Session 3 was held via Zoom on 6 September 2021. Agents and legal professionals from the securities sector and other participants preparing for the SEC certification exam attended the training session. VAB and Lindza presenting at the training session VAB kicked off the training with updates regarding the addition of the Philippines to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list once again, followed by an introduction to Money Laundering (ML), Terrorist Financing (TF) and Proliferation Financing (PF), including the concepts of predicate and unlawful activities.  VAB also discussed recent regulatory updates on AML/CTPF and preventive measures of covered persons/institutions for capital markets and the fixed income securities industry in preventing and combatting financial crimes. Afterwards, FSO Senior Associate Lindza L. Julao facilitated quick knowledge checks in the form of survey questions to assess the participants’ learning progress.

The EY Ripples Team in SGV conducted year three of its business clinic on 16 December 2021. Co-organized once more with Endeavor Philippines, this initiative-oriented impact entrepreneurs on leading practices in tax and financial planning to help drive growth in their respective organizations. Participating company representativesand volunteer managers and partners at the EY Ripples Business clinic SGV Chairman and CMP Wilson Tan (WPT) and Endeavor Philippines Co-Founder and Managing Director Manny Ayala welcomed impact entrepreneurs from companies that are mostly engaged in the medical, fintech, and business process outsourcing industries. WPT and Manny Ayala delivering opening remarks at the EY Ripples Business Clinic Tax Services Principal Arlyn Sy (AAS) led a plenary session on how to handle BIR tax audits. She discussed common issues and practical approaches in dealing with them, as well as helpful tips to manage the audit. She emphasized good reporting standards and practices. She also covered how to instill a culture of compliance in a startup company. AAS leading a plenary on How to Handle a BIR Audit The plenary sessions were followed by group mentoring sessions in breakout rooms, where Strategy and Transactions, Assurance and Tax partners and managers addressed participants’ questions.  EY Ripples is a global corporate responsibility program that provides EY professionals with opportunities to use their knowledge, skills and experience to positively impact millions of lives by working with impact entrepreneurs and supporting the next generation to develop mindsets and skills to find and sustain meaningful work.

SGV Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner Maria Vivian C. Ruiz (VCR) was one of the judges at the 11th Junior Achievement (JA) Company of the Year (COY) competition. The event was held on 9 November 2021 and hosted by Junior Achievement Philippines Incorporated (JAPI). COY is JA Asia-Pacific’s annual business competition that aims to inspire and award students from the JA Business Skills Pass program who aspire to be strong and competent business leaders in today’s world.  Program poster The annual JA Business Skills Pass program allows high school students from different countries around Asia-Pacific to create registered mini companies. Eleven finalists from eight countries participated in JA AP COY 2021, where they presented the results of their work to the judges. ScrapCap, a company from Singapore, was declared the winner.

SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson P. Tan (WPT) continues to serve as Treasurer and Director of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) and Trustee of the FINEX Academy. He attended the virtual 54th FINEX Inaugural Meeting and Induction Ceremonies where he was inducted into the same positions on the FINEX Institute Board of Directors and the FINEX Foundation Board of Trustees on 18 January 2022. 2022 FINEX Trustees 2022 FINEX Academy Trustees WPT has been a longtime member of FINEX, which is the country’s premier organization of finance professionals composed of almost 700 executives including CEOs and CFOs of the country’s top corporations, academic institutions, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Meanwhile, FINEX Academy is the organization’s CFO training center, conducting professional development seminars and other education-oriented activities. Congratulations, WPT!