KPMG in the Philippines (R.G. Manabat & Co.) welcomes new Partners

KPMG in the Philippines (R.G. Manabat & Co.), the Philippine member firm of KPMG International, welcomes seven new Partners effective today, 1 October 2022, namely Oliver C. Bucao, Myra Liza S. Sto. Tomas, Ellen Rose R. Hernandez, Maria Ruby Rea-Vergara, Michael Ian Emerson E. Royeca, Gilbert T. Trinchera and Arvin Lemuel A. Yanga.

The addition of these passionate and motivated professionals to the partnership will be a great asset to the organization, as they continue to inspire everyone through their effective leadership. 

Audit and Assurance

Bucao began his career at KPMG as a Learning and Development Manager in 2005 before becoming a Department of Professional Practice Partner in 2010. In 2020, he returned to the firm as the KPMG Asia Pacific Quality and Risk Management COO. Bucao has been admitted as an Audit and Assurance Partner as well as the Learning and Development Partner, focusing on Audit technical trainings. 

Sto. Tomas joined the firm in 2008. She has been working in the Audit and Assurance field for the past 15 years. She has strong working relationships with her clients and is well-liked by them because she goes above and beyond without compromising the quality of her service. Sto. Tomas will specialize in the audits of shared service centers and BPOs as an Audit and Assurance Partner.

Tax

Hernandez is a homegrown KPMG tax professional who joined the firm in 2010. Her primary areas of focus are tax compliance, tax return preparation, tax health check, tax due diligence, and GCMS, but Ellen's experience does not end there. She has also handled tax advisory and tax structuring engagements, as well as tax assessments and refunds. Hernandez will continue to be a mentor and friend to her staff, instilling professionalism and work ethic in them as a Tax Partner.

Rea-Vergara is also a homegrown talent who has been with the Global Mobility Services' Tax practice since 2007. She received the Chairman's Award for Excellence for embodying the KPMG values and skills because of her strong business principles in 2019. As a Tax Partner, Rea-Vergara will continue to help her team grow professionally while also advising a wide range of clients from different industries on tax compliance, employment taxes, and compensation and rewards programs.

Advisory - Technology Consulting

Royeca started his KPMG journey as an Information Risk Management Supervisor under Advisory in 2015. He is the Sub-Service Line Lead of Technology Risk and Assurance within Technology Consulting. As KPMG in the Philippines’ Deputy in the ASPAC IT Audit Leadership, he leads the IT Attestation practice for SOC 1 engagements. He pioneered Data Privacy engagements back in 2018. He is also KPMG Lighthouse Lead for Risk and Audit and the co-lead for Technology Consulting’s Virtual Resources Hub. As a Technology Consulting Partner, Royeca is committed to the continued professional development of his team.

Trinchera joined KPMG in 2015. He is the Sub-Service Line Lead of Digital Transformation and ERP Advisory within Technology Consulting and the Operations Lead of KPMG Lighthouse. His determination helped shape the Technology Consulting team, lead 2nd Line of Defense (2LOD) initiatives and expand the Technology Consulting practice. Trinchera received the Chairman's Award for Excellence in 2021 for having great technical skills, a mind for business development, and living up to the KPMG values. Trinchera will undoubtedly uphold his dedication to the advancement of his team as a Technology Consulting Partner.

Department of Professional Practice

Yanga began his career as an Audit Associate before moving to the Department of Professional Practice (DPP) in 2015. He has always been at the forefront of reporting standards developments, providing strong support to his team and encouraging them to gain technical capabilities. Yanga led several key DPP projects, such as the improvement of FSQC processes, the release of the DPP Query Management System (QMS), the adoption of the KPMG DPP Manual, the implementation of the System of Quality Management (SOQM) and the facilitation of various internal and external IFRS/PFRS trainings. As a Department of Professional Practice Partner, Yanga will continue to be at the forefront of developments in reporting requirements.

The admission of these leaders will help the firm grow as they provide quality Audit and Assurance, Tax, Advisory and Technology Consulting services. Due to the diverse backgrounds and expertise of the firm's Partners and Principals, their extensive training, and the support of the firm's global network and resources, KPMG is able to provide clients with innovative solutions to their increasingly complex business and regulatory challenges.