May 2026

The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) recently hosted a roundtable discussion titled “Updates on the Bureau of Customs Priorities” at the SGV Office in Makati City on 14 May 2026. The session brought together industry leaders, stakeholders, and government representatives for a timely and insightful exchange on trade and customs developments. Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno receives certificate of appreciation at the eventThe event featured Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno as the keynote speaker. He shared updates on the Bureau’s current priorities, ongoing reforms, and modernization initiatives. Participants gained valuable insights into efforts to enhance trade facilitation, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen transparency across customs processes.SGV Tax Leader Jules E. Riego and BDO Unibank Senior Vice President and Head of Financial Institutions and International Desks Rombit Co, Co-Chairmen of AmCham’s Financial Services and Tax & Tariffs Committee, played an active role in guiding the discussion, reinforcing the importance of collaboration between the private sector and government.Attendees benefited from a deeper understanding of policy directions, digital transformation efforts, and initiatives to improve revenue collection while combating smuggling. The session also fostered an open dialogue, allowing participants to raise concerns, share experiences, and explore practical solutions.The roundtable served as a meaningful platform for engagement and collaboration, supporting the shared goal of building a more efficient, secure, and globally competitive trade environment in the Philippines.

SGV Sustainability Leader and Philippine Sustainability Reporting Committee (PSRC) Chair Benjamin N. Villacorte participated as a panelist at the ASEAN-EU Sustainability Summit 2026 held at the Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa in Cebu.Organized by the EU-ASEAN Business Council and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), the summit brought together government leaders, regulators, industry experts, and business representatives from across ASEAN and the European Union to discuss sustainability, climate resilience, trade, circular economy, and ESG reporting. Benjie with other panelists during the Industry Panel on “ESG Commitments and Credible Reporting: Strengthening Transparency and Trust in ASEAN”Benjie joined the Industry Panel on “ESG Commitments and Credible Reporting: Strengthening Transparency and Trust in ASEAN,” which focused on the growing importance of credible sustainability disclosures in supporting investor confidence, market integrity, and long-term business resilience across the region.The discussion explored the evolving sustainability reporting landscape in ASEAN, including increasing alignment with International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)-based approaches, implementation challenges across jurisdictions, and the importance of professional judgment and assurance in producing decision-useful disclosures. Benjie speaks during the panel discussionJoining Benjie in the panel were Securities and Exchange Commission Commissioner Atty. Javey Paul Francisco, Eco-Business Founder and CEO Jessica Cheam, and ASEAN Business Advisory Council member Michael Tan. The session was moderated by Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Asia-Pacific Head of Public Affairs George Thomson.The ASEAN-EU Sustainability Summit 2026 featured a series of keynote speeches, fireside chats, and panel discussions on circular economy, climate resilience, sustainable trade, supply chain integrity, and ESG commitments, reinforcing ASEAN-EU collaboration toward a more sustainable and resilient future.

SGV held a Transforming Risks into Strategic Advantage event on 6 May 2026 at the STI Holdings Center in Makati, bringing together business leaders and industry professionals to explore how organizations can navigate evolving risks and turn them into opportunities for growth.SGV Assurance Leader Cyril Jasmin B. Valencia opened the event with welcome remarks, followed by a keynote address from SGV Technology Risk Partner Allan W. Ocho on reimagining risks amid the changing roles of C-Suite leaders. (From left to right) Cyril welcomes participants at the event; Allan delivers keynote addressSGV leaders from across service lines shared their insights on key business challenges and opportunities, including financial excellence, technology risk, sustainability reporting and value creation, as well as integrity and compliance. Speakers included Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) Partner Anna Maria Rubi Diaz, Technology Risk Leader Dara Ledda A. Urbiztondo, Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Leader Benjamin N. Villacorte, CCaSS Principal Bonar A. Laureto, and Forensic and Integrity Services (FIS) Leader Roderick M. Vega. (From left to right) top: Rhia, Dara, and Benjie; bottom: Bon and Roderick sharing insights on key business challenges and opportunitiesThe event also featured a panel discussion and Q&A session with industry guests, providing participants with practical perspectives on building resilience and strategic advantage in the changing business environment.SGV Assurance Growth Areas (AGA) and FAAS Leader Aris C. Malantic delivered the final message and call to action, highlighting that modern leadership requires a fundamental shift from reactive risk management to proactive "Risk Strategy” where risk insights are woven into the very fabric of organizational culture, incentives and technological innovation. Aris charts the path forward with a call to action

SGV hosted a “Supply Chain Re-imagined: Unlocking Strength in Every Link” event on 5 May 2026 at the Washington SyCip Development Center. The event convened over 60 leaders and professionals from various industries for a full day of timely discussions on navigating disruption, strengthening resilience, and building more agile, sustainable, and future-ready supply chains in an increasingly complex global environment. The event was hosted by Business Consulting Partner and Supply Chain Transformation Lead Jan Ray G. Manlapaz.  (Left) SGV core team with the speakers; (right) Jan Ray hosts Supply Chain Re-imagined eventThe program opened with welcome remarks from SGV Vice Chairman, Deputy Managing Partner and Strategy and Transactions Leader Noel P. Rabaja. This was followed by insights from Government & Infrastructure and Economic Research Leader and Strategy and Transactions Partner Marie Stephanie C. Tan-Hamed, who discussed the global economic landscape and its implications for supply chains. (Left) Noel welcomes participants at the event; (right) Steph shares insights on the Global Supply Chain and the MacroeconomySGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services Partner Katrina F. Francisco explored how organizations can reimagine sustainable supply chain programs beyond cost reduction, while Technology Consulting Principal Philip B. Casanova led the discussion on strengthening cybersecurity across third parties and supply chains. Katrina and Philip share insights on sustainability and cybersecurityIn the afternoon sessions, Tax Principal Alden C. Labaguis and Tax Partners Fatma Aleah A. Datukon and Auresana B. Ines discussed key tax and customs considerations shaping supply chain operations. Alden, Fatma and Rhena discuss Taxation and Customs The event concluded with insights from EY Asean Supply Chain and Digital Innovation Leader and Consulting Partner Atul Chandna, who discussed “Supply Chain and AI: Strategize, Optimize, Digitize: Building Tomorrow’s Supply Chain with AI”. His presentation was followed by a panel discussion with Technology Consulting Principal Lee Carlo B. Abadia and EY Singapore Business Consulting Associate Partner Ankit Nayyar, who shared how AI is reshaping supply chain strategy, optimization, and digitalization. (Left) Atul Chandna discusses supply chain and AI; (right) Jan Ray moderates panel discussion with Atul Chandna, Ankit Nayyar, and Lee Carlo AbadiaConsulting Leader Ryan Gilbert K. Chua delivered the closing remarks, capping off a meaningful day of learning, collaboration, and forward-looking discussions on the future of supply chains.  Ryan delivers closing remarks