Event Report

The Legal 500 hosted the GC Summit Corporate Governance and Compliance Forum: Philippines 2024 on Tuesday, 24 September, at the Manila House Club.

The event began with a welcome address from Marc S. Gorriceta, Head of the corporate, as well as the technology, media, and telecommunications groups at Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra. His remarks set the tone for the day’s discussions.

Attendees then heard three inspiring keynote speeches from Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara, legislator and newly appointed Secretary of the Department of Education; Senator Grace Poe, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance; and Commissioner Javey Paul D. Francisco of the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission.

The first panel, moderated by Marc S. Gorriceta, explored strategies for strengthening governance foundations, ESG standards, and best practices in M&A. The panellists—Kristine T. Torres (Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra), Amabelle Asuncion (Manila Water Company), Maria Corazon PMR Alvarez-Adriano (GCash), Roderick Danao (PwC Philippines), and Cheryl Tay (S&P Global)—shared practical insights and experiences, highlighting the complexities of navigating this rapidly evolving landscape.

In the following session, Froilyn D. Pagayatan (Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra) led a discussion with Daniel Luis P. Macalino (Securities and Exchange Commission’s Anti-Money Laundering Division), Roberto L. Figueroa (HSBC), and Vincent Paul L. Saavedra, Micaela Kristina V. Galvez, and Edrian M. Apaya (all from Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra) on how companies can optimise governance programmes to better navigate anti-money laundering regulations, taxation, and best practices in financial consumer protection.

Anthony Edsel Conrad F. Tupaz (Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra) then delivered an insightful presentation on the intersection of AI and Data Governance.

Marc S. Gorriceta and Anthony Edsel Conrad F. Tupaz returned to chair the final panel. Together with Deputy Commissioner Leandro Angelo Aguirre (National Privacy Commission), Gordon Wade (TikTok), John Christopher Retardo (Maya), and Liane Stella R. Candelario (Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra), they discussed leadership in data privacy within a data-driven economy, focusing on frameworks and strategies for data governance.

The Summit concluded with closing remarks from Allan Cohen (The Legal 500), reflecting on the Forum’s discussions and highlighting key takeaways for the attendees.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra for partnering with us on this successful event, and sincere appreciation to all speakers and attendees.

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