Key team members: Robert Josef A. De Guzman, Jomer C. Reales, Richard Andrew P. Velasco, Cynthia Velez, Renz Garcia, Ayee Villaga, Dancel Dela Cruz, Carlos A. Pascual, Merlyn Peguiras, Patrick Tongco, Samantha Victoria, Patricia Moreno, Allianz Rosaldo, Bianca Victorino, Alissa Algarate, Clifford Alcuaz, Cyvir Sazon, Denson Padua, Eli Bongabong, Joemari Gonzales, Joy Hitalia, Kristian Joy Agapito, Macky Magdamit, Maribeth Aquino, Mia Ahorro, Paul Labanon, and Sofia Pineda

Can you sum up the team culture or ethos, and give us a breakdown of what makes your legal team function so well?

Our team embraces the principle of Ubuntu, which revolves around unity, collective well-being, and working together as a tight-knit group. We believe in the power of collaboration, open communication, and supporting each other while taking personal responsibility for what we do. Our values revolve around continuous learning, inclusivity, adaptability, and ethical integrity. We put these values into action by always putting our stakeholders first, approaching their needs with empathy and focusing on practical solutions. We take pride in our positive work environment, striving for excellence and celebrating individual and team accomplishments.

Can you please provide an insight of the legal team, outlining its responsibilities?

Our team oversees the company’s Legal, Corporate Governance, Risk, Compliance, and Data Privacy functions. Our multifaceted responsibilities encompass Legal operations — ensuring strict regulation adherence, meticulous licensing management, and comprehensive contract oversight. Corporate governance — collaborating with the board of directors and senior management to fortify governance practices and facilitate policy development. Risk management — identifying, evaluating, and mitigating a spectrum of risks, including operational, liquidity, and compliance concerns. Compliance monitoring and reporting — vigilantly monitoring our compliance with the anti-money laundering council, BSP issuances, and data privacy regulations, conducting transaction monitoring, and submitting the required regulatory reports. Compliance training — leading mandatory training sessions for employees and partners, covering topics such as AML, data privacy, and other pertinent Legal & GRC matters. Data privacy — ensuring the safeguarding of sensitive data, compliance with data privacy laws, and implementing robust data protection measures per the Data Privacy Act. Public affairs — serving as the company’s representative in engagements with regulatory bodies, government, and public entities.