2025

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Leader and Philippine Sustainability Reporting Committee (PSRC) Chair Benjamin N. Villacorte and Sustainability Principal Bonar A. Laureto participated in the 30th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP30) in Belém, Brazil. The first COP held in the Amazon region, the summit gathered global leaders, businesses, and key stakeholders at a crucial moment for climate action.SGV joined EY’s global sustainability events, contributing to discussions on climate finance, nature integration, energy transition, adaptation, and the private sector’s role in accelerating implementation of the Paris Agreement.Through SGV’s participation, the Firm reinforced its commitment to supporting clients in understanding emerging climate frameworks, investment pathways, and policy developments arising from COP30. SGV continues to collaborate closely with EY teams worldwide to help drive sustainable strategies and long-term value creation.

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Leader and Philippine Sustainability Reporting Committee (PSRC) Chair Benjamin N. Villacorte and Sustainability Principal Bonar A. Laureto joined the 30th annual UN climate conference (COP30) held from 10 to 21 November 2025 at Belém, Brazil. Benjamin hosted and moderated the COP30 side event, “Unlocking Shared Investments in Nature,” at the ASEAN Pavilion. The session brought together key Philippine government and private-sector representatives to present a unified approach to scalable, bankable, and high-integrity nature solutions.The discussion opened with Climate Change Commission Chair and Secretary Robert Borje framing COP30 as a “Delivery COP” and emphasizing fast-tracked access to climate finance. House Committee on Sustainable Development Goals Chair Representative Joeman Alba shared legislative measures creating demand, clarifying carbon rights, and strengthening the domestic carbon market. House Committee on Climate Change Chair Representative Aniela Tolentino highlighted opportunities in blue and green carbon, while Representative Rufus Rodriguez showcased the finance-first Cagayan de Oro model as a proof of concept. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ASec. Noralene Uy outlined the forthcoming Carbon Forestry framework to ensure regulatory integrity, and Bonar presented financial tools, including the Nature Finance Compass and revenue stacking, that make nature projects investment-ready.Rep. Anna Victoria Veloso-Tuazon delivered the closing remarks, emphasizing that the Philippines’ comprehensive legal framework strengthens investor confidence and signals the country’s readiness to scale nature investments through coordinated policy, clear assets, and public-private collaboration.Through its leadership and technical expertise, SGV played a key role in demonstrating how policy, finance, and collaboration can unlock sustainable investments in the Philippines.

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Senior Manager Crystal Aleli R. Cornell served as one of the speakers during the 27th Ayala Group Internal Auditors' Network (AGIAN) Conference on “Sustainability and ESG Auditing: Beyond Compliance.” The event was held on 21 November 2025 at The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion in Taguig City. Crystal shared insights on how internal audit can move beyond compliance to drive long-term value by enhancing the credibility of sustainability reporting and supporting companies in integrating ESG into their overall strategy Crystal also discussed the current sustainability landscape, including developments in internal control guidance and assurance standards related to sustainability reporting, as well as relevant sustainability issues. She noted that internal audit can play a critical role in sustainability and serve as a strategic partner with the organization's sustainability programs. Leveraging their expertise in risk management and assurance, internal audit teams can contribute significantly to integrating sustainability-related risks into the organization's enterprise risk management framework and to enhancing the reliability of sustainability reporting disclosures through rigorous reviews of processes, controls, and data—similar to the approach applied to financial statements.

SGV & Co. joined Alternergy Holdings Corporation at the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) bell ringing ceremony on 21 November 2025 to mark the company’s milestone as the first publicly listed company and first renewable energy developer to receive the Philippine Green Equity Label from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).SGV Assurance Group 4 Leader Veronica R. Pore, SGV Lead Audit Partner Jhoanna C. Go and SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Senior Manager Crystal Aleli R. Cornell represented the Firm at the event. Also present at the event were Alternergy President Gerry P. Magbanua, Alternergy Chief Finance Officer Carmen Diaz and key representatives from the PSE and the SEC.Alternergy met the Green Equity Criteria as outlined in SEC Memorandum Circular No. 13, Series of 2025, which requires: (1) more than 50% of revenue derived from Green Activities, (2) more than 50% of investments channeled towards Green Activities, (3) less than 5% of revenue derived from fossil fuels, and (4) alignment with the Philippine Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Guidelines.Crystal is a member of SGV’s Alternergy sustainability assurance engagement team. Other members are CCaSS Leader and Philippine Sustainability Reporting Committee (PSRC) Chair Benjamin N. Villacorte, CCaSS Managers Ricca Ciana F. Macabuac and Louisse Anne F. Bugante, CCaSS Senior Associates Franchezka L. Mendoza and Caryll Joy C. Franco, and CCaSS Associates Beah Lyn Z. Cuevas and Coleen G. Coronado.

The SGV Technology Risk team participated in the ISACA Manila Academe Summit 2025, themed “Navigating the IT Governance Landscape: Pathways to Success,” held on 15 November 2025 at the University of Santo Tomas (UST). Organized by ISACA Manila in partnership with the UST Accounting Information System (AIS) Society, the event gathered more than 300 BS AIS students from different colleges and universities for a half-day program on digital transformation and IT governance.SGV Technology Risk Senior Manager Elvin Mercader opened the event by delivering his welcome remarks, while Manager Dale Andrew Aquino led the plenary session on “Expanding Horizons of AIS Professionals in Today’s Business Context.” He discussed the evolving digital economy, trends shaping business transformation, and the challenges organizations face as technology accelerates. He emphasized the vital role AIS professionals play in the digital trust ecosystem, noting the growing demand for talent based on ISACA certification trends.Dale also highlighted the broad career opportunities for AIS graduates, identifying skills essential for future professionals and sharing strategies to overcome common barriers students experience. He concluded with a personal message of inspiration, reflecting on his journey from being a UST student to becoming an SGV Manager.Alongside the plenary, the SGV booth provided students with an opportunity to learn more about SGV’s Technology Risk practice. The booth was manned by Technology Risk Partner Conrad Allan M. Alviz, Managers Renz Criste and Cris Angelo Bola, Senior Associate Mark Oliveros and Associate Jewel Mae Mesina, together with Allysa Ignacio and Jessa Monteiro from the AGA Resource Management team.The summit strengthened SGV’s engagement with the academe and reaffirmed the Firm’s commitment to supporting future professionals as they navigate a rapidly evolving technology and governance landscape.

SGV hosted the Indirect Tax and Transfer Pricing Convergence Summit 2025 on 14 November, bringing together over 100 tax professionals and industry leaders to discuss the latest developments and best practices in indirect tax and transfer pricing.The event opened with a program featuring SGV’s Got Talent 2025 2nd runner-up Jullana Fernandez who led the National Anthem, followed by a prayer led by SGV Tax Principal Atty. Joyce A. Francisco. Tax Leader Atty. Jules E. Riego set the tone for the summit with his opening message.SGV Tax Partner Auresana B. Ines provided updates on Transfer Pricing, initiating a series of sessions on the latest developments in indirect tax highlighting global trade and customs and transfer pricing. Insights from the Bureau of Customs were shared by Assistant Commissioner Atty. Vincent Philip C. Maronilla of the Post Clearance Audit Group, followed by a Q&A session moderated by Indirect Tax Leader Atty. Lucil Q. Vicerra.The summit also featured technical discussions on customs valuation and transfer pricing convergence facilitated by Atty. Lucil. A fireside chat with Tax Partner Atty. Deonah Marco-Go and Tax Principal Atty. Victor C. De Dios, along with a presentation on Global Data Analytics by Tax Principal Atty. Stephanie V. Nava, offered practical insights and perspectives on emerging trends and strategies in the field.Tax Partner and Transfer Pricing Leader Atty. Reynante M. Marcelo concluded the program with his closing remarks, followed by networking and cocktails for attendees.The summit underscored SGV’s commitment to thought leadership in indirect tax, global trade and customs and transfer pricing, providing a platform for knowledge-sharing and collaboration on the latest industry developments, and reinforcing its role in guiding organizations toward effective governance and compliance.

SGV conducted a training session on Smart Finance Solutions: Spotlight on Bookkeeping and Payroll, themed “Transforming Payroll and Bookkeeping for Efficient and Effective Compliance” on 7 November 2025, with over 100 participants in attendance.The event opened with remarks from Accounting Compliance and Reporting (ACR) and Payroll Leader Sonia D. Segovia. The session was hosted by Senior Directors Earvin Darren Lee and Marivic Rebulanan, who guided the participants through the afternoon's agenda. A series of insightful sessions addressing payroll, bookkeeping, and compliance challenges were featured in the event, including “GPO: Disrupting the Industry with EY Interact Payroll Technology” presented by APAC Payroll Operate Technology Leader Nikki Dequito, “Payroll Power-Up: Overcoming Challenges with Confidence” by SGV Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Partner Aaron C. Escartin, and “Bookkeeping Made BIR-Ready: Best Practices and Common Pitfalls” by GCR Partner Maricris U. See.Further discussions on payroll tax and immigration essentials for mobility assignments were presented by People Advisory Services Partner Czarina R. Miranda and International Tax and Transaction Services (ITTS) Senior Director Atty. Jackie Lou D. Lamug.The program also included a roundtable moderated by GCR Partner Joanna Marie T. Dela Chica and a live demonstration of EY payroll and bookkeeping technology. GCR Leader Henry M. Tan delivered the closing remarks. GCR Partner Hanna S. Rojo, GCR Senior Director Clarissa Cristelle Chua and GCR Director Gerald Co also assisted in organizing the event.

SGV Tax Partner Atty. Karen Kaye M. Sta. Maria-Constantino and Principal Atty. Arlyn A. Sarmiento-Sy conducted a complimentary tax briefing for locators of Carmelray Industrial Park II – Special Economic Zone held at the Carmelray Industrial Park 2 Administration Office in Calamba City, Laguna on 7 November 2025. Organized by Carmelray 2 Incorporated (C2I) and the Carmelray Industrial Park 2 Association, Inc., the briefing brought around 50 representatives from the finance and tax teams of various locators.The session, titled “Understanding the Taxability of Interconnectedness: Insights on Revenue Memorandum Circulars No. 5-2024 and No. 38-2024, and Republic Act No. 12023 (VAT on Digital Services Act),” provided participants with updates and practical guidance on the tax treatment of cross-border services and digital transactions.Joining Atty. Karen and Atty. Arlyn were Tax Directors Atty. Grace Lilac Desuasido and Atty. Cecille De Villa, Associate Director Atty. Mary Evielyn Mateo, and Senior Associates Atty. Jona Christia Salvador and Ms. Christine Josette Lopez.Through this session, SGV highlighted its commitment to delivering timely insights and support to help businesses navigate evolving tax regulations while ensuring compliance with the latest statutory and regulatory requirements.

SGV’s newly promoted Senior Directors successfully completed the EY Asean New Senior Managers and Associate Directors Program (NSMADP) held from 3 to 6 November 2025 at the Asia School of Business in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.The program provided SGV’s emerging leaders with a comprehensive development experience designed to strengthen leadership capabilities, enhance strategic thinking, and reinforce their sense of stewardship as they take on broader responsibilities within the Firm. Through collaborative sessions with Asean counterparts, the participants gained practical insights that will support them in leading high-performing teams and delivering quality services.The new Senior Directors returned to SGV equipped with deeper regional perspectives and strengthened leadership competencies, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the Firm’s long-term growth and commitment to building a better working world.

SGV Chairman Wilson P. Tan led a virtual seminar on Key Concepts in Good Governance, hosted by the Far Eastern University (FEU) Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance and FEU Manila – Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants on 6 November 2025.During the session, Wilson discussed the role of independent audits in strengthening corporate governance and risk management. He shared practical insights in guiding organizations toward transparency, accountability, and sound governance practices.The seminar highlighted SGV’s commitment to promoting professional excellence and thought leadership in accounting, auditing, and corporate governance. Participants gained valuable perspectives on implementing governance frameworks that drive organizational integrity and performance.