March 2026

SGV has been selected as a finalist for Best Employer Brand on LinkedIn under the Global Clients Program – Philippines category in the 2025 LinkedIn Talent Awards.The LinkedIn Talent Awards recognize organizations that are driving meaningful impact across talent, engagement, continuous learning, and the future of work. The Global Clients Program highlights companies leading in digital transformation, innovation, and the creation of inclusive, future-ready workplaces.This year’s awards feature four key categories: Best Employer Brand on LinkedIn, AI Pioneer: Best Talent Acquisition Team, AI Pioneer: Learning Champion, and Talent Insights Pioneer. These categories recognize organizations that effectively leverage LinkedIn Talent Solutions, from strengthening employer branding and audience engagement to utilizing AI and data-driven insights for hiring, learning, and workforce decisions. Finalists were selected based on data-driven analysis conducted by LinkedIn’s Insights team, evaluating each organization’s utilization and engagement across LinkedIn Talent Solutions from July to December 2025. For the Best Employer Brand category, criteria included company page views, follower growth, and engagement with company posts, such as reactions, comments, and shares. The winners will be announced at a local LinkedIn Talent Awards ceremony in the Philippines, which will be held on 21 April 2026 at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila.SGV’s recognition as a finalist underscores its continued efforts to build a strong employer brand and foster meaningful engagement with its talent community through innovative and people-focused initiatives. This milestone reflects the collective effort of the SGV community in shaping what’s next in the world of work.

The SGV Academy continued its Information Systems and Controls (ISC) Retooling Initiative with another successful retooling session in Central Luzon, held on 27 March 2026 at Bulacan State University. The program formed part of the Central Luzon Regional Forum organized by the National Association of Certified Public Accountants in Education (NACPAE), supporting efforts to strengthen industry-relevant learning among accounting educators.The session gathered educators from across the region to enhance their understanding of ISC and its growing role in the audit of financial statements, particularly with its inclusion as a new subject in the Licensure Examination for Certified Public Accountants (LECPA) beginning in 2029.Opening the session, SGV Financial Services and Ecosystems & Knowledge Leader Christian G. Lauron emphasized the importance of equipping educators with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively teach ISC concepts in today’s evolving audit landscape.Serving as resource speakers were Technology Risk Senior Director Elvin Mercader, Associate Director and SGV Academy Program Manager Jervie Sta. Ana, and Senior Associate Julio Cezar Sedano. They were supported by Technology Risk Associate Sheryl Ann D. Gomez, who assisted in facilitating the session.This Central Luzon session was part of the continued collaboration between the SGV Academy and NACPAE in advancing ISC education nationwide and preparing future CPAs for the evolving demands of the profession.

SGV signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the University of the East (UE) for UE to participate in the SGV Academy program. The signing ceremony was held on 26 March 2026 at the UE Manila campus.SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Rossana A. Fajardo, Financial Services and Ecosystems and Knowledge Leader Christian G. Lauron, Assurance Partner and SGV Academy Leader Allan W. Ocho, and Assurance Partner and UE Alumnus Wilson P. Tan signed on behalf of SGV. Also in attendance was SGV Academy Program Manager Jervie Sta. Ana.UE President and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Zosimo M. Battad, UE Manila Chancellor Dr. Louie A. Divinagracia, and UE Caloocan Chancellor Dr. Victor R. Macam signed for the University of the East. Other delegates, namely UE Caloocan - College of Business Administration Dean Prof. Emeteria B. Dalisay, Associate Dean Prof. Abner A. Aquino, Accountancy, Business Law and Taxation Department Chair Prof. Ken Elexander Cabinian, UE Manila - College of Business Administration Dean Dr. Rosalinda B. Lacerona, Associate Dean Prof. Luigi Dimaunahan, Accountancy, Business Law and Taxation Department Chair Prof. Cherry Ann C. Mandaquit-Esparagoza, and Office for International Affairs and External Linkages Director Dr. Darwin M. Guianan were also present.Through the SGV Academy program, the Firm works with participating educational institutions to deliver relevant, industry-aligned learning that enhances students’ career readiness and opportunities. This initiative reflects and supports SGV’s vision of shaping a better working world by empowering the next generation of professionals.

The TSG Cluster, led by Tax Partner Atty. Tesi Lou S. Guanzon, embarked on an exciting cluster outing in Tokyo, Japan on 18 to 22 March 2026, providing the team with a refreshing break following a year of dedication, hard work, and consistent high performance.During the trip, team members strengthened their camaraderie through meaningful bonding, shared experiences, and moments of well-deserved fun, while immersing themselves in Tokyo’s vibrant culture and sights. The outing served not only as a reward for their efforts but also as an opportunity to reconnect and recharge outside the workplace.With renewed energy and strengthened collaboration, the TSG Cluster returns inspired and ready to take on new opportunities and challenges ahead.

SGV Assurance Partner Conrad M. Alviz served as a speaker on 21 March 2026, the third day of the “Tech Tales: The AIS Revolutionaries Transforming Global Business” conference organized by the National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (NFJPIA) Region XII.The third session gathered students and aspiring professionals for an engaging panel discussion on the transformative role of Accounting Information Systems (AIS) and technology across various sectors, including the academe, public practice, government, and industry. It featured speakers from diverse backgrounds who shared their professional journeys and perspectives on how technology continues to reshape the accounting profession.The session included an interactive question and answer segment, where participants had the opportunity to engage directly with speakers and gain practical advice on navigating careers in AIS and accounting technology.Through SGV’s participation in programs such as this, the Firm continues to support the development of future-ready professionals by sharing knowledge and contributing to conversations that shape the future of the accounting profession.

SGV Strategy and Transactions (SaT) Senior Manager Allen P. Articulo successfully passed the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level I examination on 19 March 2026. The CFA Level I exam is the first of three levels in the CFA Program, focusing on the fundamental knowledge and comprehension of investment tools, asset classes, and ethical standards. It serves as an entry point for finance professionals, assessing the application of financial reporting, economics, and portfolio management concepts to build a strong foundation for more complex analysis in subsequent levels.Congratulations on your well-deserved achievement, Allen!

SGV & Co. held a second run of the Sustainability Training Series: Gearing up for ISSB Standards Sustainability Reporting in Practice from 17 to 19 March at the SGV Training Rooms in Makati.The three-day face-to-face event focused on a specific topic per session: IFRS S1: General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information and IFRS S2: Climate-related Disclosures, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Accounting and Reporting Fundamentals, and Foundations of Climate Risk Assessment for Disclosure and Risk Management.SGV Assurance Growth Areas Leader and Assurance Partner Aris C. Malantic opened the event with an introductory message that highlighted the importance of sustainability reporting in business operations. SGV Sustainability Leader Benjamin N. Villacorte, Sustainability Partner Katrina F. Francisco, and Sustainability Principal Bonar A. Laureto also shared their expertise on the training topics.SGV Sustainability managers Crystal Aleli R. Cornell, Diana Rose Sadili-Chu, Joyce Anne A. Soriano, Jouelle N. Nerveza-Sumile, Zoe Aurora H. Romero, Jamaica N. Pangasinan, Louie Adrianne R. Cediño, Randolph C. Camaclang, Judd Tablazon, and Louisse Anne F. Bugante also led insightful discussions.Attendees also engaged in practical workshops and breakout sessions and were given the opportunity to experience identifying potential risks in the value chain, understand relevant transition risks, and design their company’s climate risk assessment approach.This event aligns with SEC Memorandum Circular (MC) 16, Series of 2025, or the adoption of Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS) on sustainability disclosures and issuance of reporting Guidelines for publicly listed companies and large non-listed entities.

SGV & Co. conducted a three-day training event on Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS) 17 for Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and the Non-Life Insurance Industry from 17 to 19 March at the WSDC Training Rooms, SGV 1 Building in Makati City.The event was organized in collaboration with the Insurance Commission (IC) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The discussions focused on the PFRS 17 framework, including its key concept and implementation implications for the HMO and Non-Life Insurance Industry. Attendees were able to gain insights into the standard’s impact on the current financial reporting framework and deepen their understanding of the technical and operational aspects of PFRS 17.The event featured several speakers including Business Consulting Leader and Deputy Insurance Leader Charisse Rossielin Y. Cruz, Risk Consulting Associate Partner Catherine R. Laigo, Assurance Director Jarrod Mercado, and Risk Consulting Associate Director Lenard E. Adona. IC Deputy Commissioner Jayson Lopez was also present at the event.

The SGV Knowledge Institute hosted a seminar on “Global Shifts, Local Impact: Navigating the Next Wave of Banking Regulations” on 18 March 2026 at Makati Shangri-La, bringing together industry leaders and regulators to discuss today’s complex banking landscape.SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Rossana A. Fajardo opened the event, highlighting the growing complexity of regulations. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Lyn I. Javier followed with key supervisory insights on building resilient and future-ready banks. The event was hosted by SGV Consulting Partner Charisse Y. Cruz.In the first session, EY Global Assurance Leader for Banking & Capital Markets Keith Pogson discussed regulatory fragmentation and resilience. A panel moderated by SGV Government & Infrastructure and Economic Research Leader and Strategy and Transactions Partner Marie Stephanie T. Hamed, with panelists RCBC Chief Economist Michael Ricafort, Citibank Philippines Country Officer Paul Favila, and Keith Pogson explored the impact of AI, ESG, digitalization, and cyber resilience amid geopolitical shifts.EY Asia-Pacific Financial Services Regulatory Leader Eugene Goyne led the second session on consumer outcomes and risk management. A panel featuring CARD Bank Chairman Dr. Jaime Aristotle Alip, Maya Bank President Angelo Madrid, and IDEA Institute President Alexander Escucha discussed financial inclusion, fraud prevention, and open finance.The final session by SGV Financial Services Leader Christian G. Lauron provided local regulatory insights, followed by closing remarks from SGV Vice Chairman, Deputy Managing Partner, and Strategy and Transactions Leader Noel P. Rabaja, emphasizing collaboration in navigating regulatory change.

SGV welcomed EY Asia-Pacific ESG and Sustainability Solutions Leader and EY Japan Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Leader Keiichi Ushijima for a four-day visit from 4 to 7 March 2026, aimed at strengthening regional alignment and collaboration in CCaSS across Asia East.As part of the visit, Keiichi-san met with SGV leaders at the Washington SyCip Office, where discussions focused on regional priorities, collaboration opportunities, and the continued growth of CCaSS in the Philippines. He met with SGV Chairman and Country Managing Partner Rossana A. Fajardo, Assurance Leader Cyril Jasmin B. Valencia, Chief Sustainability Officer Clairma T. Mangangey, CCaSS Leader Benjamin N. Villacorte, and CCaSS Partner Katrina F. Francisco. The session also included an office tour and a brief photo opportunity.In the first three days of the visit, Keiichi-san, together with members of the CCaSS team and SGV Audit Partners, participated in a series of client meetings and visitations. These engagements provided opportunities to exchange insights, better understand client perspectives, and discuss sustainability-related developments in the Philippine market, further strengthening collaboration and reinforcing SGV’s commitment to regional engagement. A key highlight was the CCaSS Townhall held at the SGV Training Rooms at the STI Building, where Keiichi-san shared insights on EY Japan’s values and culture, emphasizing the importance of an ownership mindset, a proactive attitude and responsible behavior, and described the Super Region approach to strengthen regional alignment. Benjamin delivered a message on the growing importance of CCaSS within the EY network and the team’s role in driving sustainability impact. The Townhall concluded with a panel discussion featuring Keiichi-san, Benjamin, Katrina, and SGV Assurance Growth Areas Leader and Assurance Partner Aris C. Malantic, covering artificial intelligence in sustainability and assurance, cross-service line collaboration, and evolving global sustainability regulations.The final day featured informal engagement sessions that provided opportunities for continued dialogue and strengthened connections across teams. Keiichi-san, together with members of the CCaSS team, also visited Museo Orlina and Tagaytay Highlands in Tagaytay, further fostering team engagement and collaboration.