D&L Industries Inc. Independent Director Corazon de la Paz-Bernardo was honored by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) as an honorary member last Nov. 30, 2023.
This was made in recognition of her notable contributions in the field of auditing, accounting, and consulting through her pivotal roles and her visionary and purposeful leadership in various professional and business organizations in the country.
L-R: Senen L. Matoto, Ma. Aurora Geotina-Garcia, Pedro H. Maniego Jr., Corazon S. de la Paz-Bernardo, Dr. Jess Estanislao (ICD Chairman Emeritus), Tomasa H. Lipana, and Ma. Victoria C. Españo
“We would like to congratulate Cora for this exemplary recognition. We are honored to have on board one of the pillars in corporate governance in the country,” said D&L Chairman Edwin Lao.
He noted that, “Cora’s wealth of knowledge and experience continues to bring huge value to the board in stirring D&L’s strategic direction.”
A distinguished Certified Public Accountant (CPA), De la Paz-Bernardo formerly served as the Chairman and Senior Partner at Joaquin Cunanan & Company (PricewaterhouseCoopers - Philippines) from 1981 to 2001.
She then headed the Social Security System (SSS) of the Philippines from 2001 to 2008 as President and CEO and was also the first non-European President of the International Social Security Association from 2004 to 2010.
In addition, she was also a former President of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants and was the first woman President of the Management Association of the Philippines, the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines and the Philippine Fulbright Scholars Association.
The Honorary Fellow is the highest conferment that the ICD bestows and De la Paz-Bernardo is the first female recipient of this esteemed title.
She now joins the distinguished roster of ICD’s Honorary Fellows: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) former governor, Amb. Jose L. Cuisia, Jr.; Cesar G. Saldaña; BSP former governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr.; Antonino T. Aquino; Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala; and Justo A. Ortiz.
De la Paz-Bernardo has been an independent director of D&L Industries since 2017. She currently serves as the Chairperson of the Audit Committee and a member of the Corporate Governance and Risk Oversight Committees.
Aside from D&L Industries, De la Paz-Bernardo is currently an independent director of several Philippine companies including Del Monte Philippines, Inc., University of the East, UE Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Republic Glass Holdings Corporation, Roxas & Company, Inc., and Phinma Education Holdings Inc.
She is also a trustee of several organizations including MFI Polytechnic Institute, Inc., Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc., Jaime V. Ongpin Microfinance Foundation, and Philippine Business for Education. She currently serves as an adviser to the board and audit committee of BDO Unibank, Inc. and an adviser to the audit committee of PLDT, Inc.
The ICD is a non-stock, not-for-profit national association of corporate directors and other stakeholders engaged in corporate governance. Its mission is to champion good corporate governance and stewardship for the benefit of society.
By 2028, the ICD envisions itself to be at the forefront in the ASEAN Region by being the key catalyst in the Philippine corporate governance ecosystem for inclusive and sustainable development.