M E S S A G E S

My warmest greetings to the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines as you hold the ninth ING FINEX CFO of the Year Award 2015.

This convergence of industry leaders upholds the promise of an even more prosperous and equitable Philippines. Your combined impact on our economy assures us that the virtuous cycle of empowerment, introduced these last five years, will be sustained; the gains we have obtained will be leveraged and exceeded by our allies in business. I hope that the commendations you bestow will help nourish the existing partnership between our entrepreneurs, our citizens, and their government, allowing us to maintain our synergy in establishing a fair, robust, and competitive market.

The positive change that characterizes our country today began with the aspirations of every Filipino. Our people envisioned what lay ahead of the Daang Matuwid and committed to expand on the promise of that future. Today, we all bear witness to the fruits of our efforts: Dynamism inspired by an optimistic and united constituency, our Republic rising on various indices of good governance, and our nation emerging as one of Asia’s brightest spots. May these achievements spur us further along this path, that we may continue to chart our unencumbered and lasting progress.

Congratulations to your awardees, and I bid you well on your forthcoming endeavors.

BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

President, Republic of the Philippines

Now on your ninth year of search for the Outstanding Chief Finance Officer (CFO) for 2015, I congratulate the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines and its partner ING for their continuing search for the outstanding CFO from amongst business industry leaders.

With good governance and outstanding finance leadership as a few of the main criteria in your selection process, we in the government sector likewise share in your role in promoting such traits as we are always challenged in creating a partnership between the private and public sectors especially in maintaining a healthy financial environment for this country.

This year’s theme of CFOs driving sustainable growth is very apt because we live in a world that is in constant transition. CFOs play a critical role in guiding respective organizations through these transitions. But through these transitions, there will always be constants.

One of them is good governance. CFOs used to be concerned only about numbers and figures, to be the score-keepers and bookkeepers of the company. Today, the role of the CFO has evolved: they occupy the central locus of decision-making in virtually any company in the world. Together with the CEO, the CFO ensures robust growth by optimizing and leveraging resources and capacities. This is only possible with sound corporate governance.

Only good governance can grant stakeholders and shareholders the kind of confidence that will outlast any external risk or volatile event. This is what we learned with the comeback story the Philippines has experienced these past five years.

Thus, it is highly important to celebrate excellence among CFOs in the country, and to honor those who have championed good governance in today’s uncertain times. May they cause us to aspire for even higher standards for corporate governance.

CESAR V. PURISIMA

Secretary, Department of Finance

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) extends its warmest congratulations to the recipient of the ninth ING FINEX CFO of the Year Award 2015.

The accolade is not only a recognition of a chief financial officer’s (CFO) talent and expertise, but also of the commitment and consistent hard work that come with exemplary financial management.

This annual search for topnotch CFOs is noteworthy for it supports excellence in the critical field of financial management. This is beneficial for the economy at large because it helps strengthen the foundations of productive enterprises in this country.

As a proponent of good corporate governance, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) appreciates industry efforts to foster high standards of financial management.

Amid the significant linkages between the banking system and the broader corporate sector, initiatives to boost financial management among corporates are firmly in line with the BSP’s supervisory objective of maintaining financial stability.

Hence, I encourage the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines and ING Bank N.V. Manila to continue finding the best and the brightest leaders in financial management. My warmest wishes go with you in this worthy endeavor.

AMANDO M. TETANGCO, JR.

Governor and Chairman of the Monetary Board Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

The ING FINEX CFO of the Year Award helps in ensuring that the ones handling corporations and/or organizations in the country are highly competent. It is good to know that we have partners dedicated in promulgating good corporate governance.

Congratulations to the 2015 ING FINEX CFO of the Year Awardee. Being selected as this year’s CFO awardee is a great feat. It shows that the top financial executives and the distinguished financial experts in the industry have recognized your dedication to your work.

The world of business is competitive and volatile, thus, your ability to ensure the financial stability of your corporation is repeatedly tested. I hope that many others will follow your footsteps because in ensuring the stability of your own organization/ corporation, you also help in developing the country’s economy.

Once again, my warmest congratulations to you. May you continue to be a good example to your peers and to those who aspire to follow your path towards excellence.

TERESITA J. HERBOSA

Chairperson, Securities and Exchange Commission

On behalf of The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc., I wish to congratulate the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) and ING Bank N.V. for another successful year of giving recognition to CFOs.

This project of FINEX and ING is a great inspiration and motivation for financial executives and practitioners to do their best. Companies that have top-notch CFOs managing their financial health and strategies attract more confidence among their investors.

I am honored to be part of the judging process of the ninth ING FINEX CFO Awards. It gave me a better appreciation of the growing and dynamic role that CFOs play in ensuring the sustainable growth of companies in a globally competitive environment. I was truly impressed with the level of professionalism, integrity and hard work of these CFOs. There may only be one awardee for this annual search but all the finalists are truly among the country’s finest CFOs. Congratulation to the ING FINEX CFO of the Year 2015 Awardee! More power!

HANS B. SICAT

President and CEO The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc.

ING Bank has been an active partner of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) in mounting the annual ING FINEX CFO of the Year Award.

For the past nine years, the award has recognized outstanding chief finance officers (CFO) who serve as “co-pilots” of their chief executive officers in driving and executing their company’s overall strategy. This role is even more pronounced in this macroeconomic environment that has become more volatile, more global and more digital. The CFO now holds a significant leadership role in creating and ensuring a sustainable growth path for his organization.

Bestowing the award this year coincides with ING Bank’s celebration of our 25th anniversary in the Philippines. This is a testament to our strong adherence to the principles of good corporate governance, a commitment that goes beyond our business, and is inherent to our Dutch roots.

Congratulations to all the nominees and this year’s ING FINEX CFO of the Year awardee!

CONSUELO D. GARCIA

Managing Director, Country Manager ING Bank, N.V. - Manila

The annual ING-FINEX CFO of the Year Award is a momentous event that provides us the opportunity to recognize and honor the most outstanding Chief Finance Officer in the Philippines. The award is especially significant and prestigious because, unlike other similar awards, the recipient is chosen by his peers in the industry following a very rigorous selection process. The award also gives due recognition to the role of the CFO which has dramatically evolved in today’s interconnected and rapidly changing business environment.

With increased expectations on CFOs, the challenge is for them to go beyond their traditional role, as the function’s perspective has been transformed from being historical to forward looking, local to international, reactive to proactive, and transactional to strategic. CFOs are now expected to expand their capabilities outside of their traditional role as steward and operator — to that of being a catalyst and a strategist. They are now expected to actively craft business strategy, drive business performance, create value for the various stakeholders, and navigate through the challenges and opportunities in their respective industries.

The search for the ING-FINEX CFO of the Year is quite challenging given the roster of high caliber candidates with impressive track records that are nominated by their peers in the industry. These are individuals who have significantly contributed to the growth of their companies and their ability to compete and advance in the increasingly complex business environment.

I would like to congratulate this year’s winner and I hope that the ING-FINEX CFO of the Year Award will serve as an inspiration to my fellow colleagues in the industry so they can continue to excel in their respective fields and push the envelope in delivering CFO work beyond what is expected.

Much gratitude goes to ING Bank for our continuing partnership in this endeavor and to all our colleagues in the industry who have continuously believed and supported FINEX.

By elevating the stature of CFOs and recognizing their critical role in driving the business, we effectively support and enhance the practice of the profession and, in the process, “build bridges towards sustainable development”.

JAIME E. YSMAEL

2015 President, FINEX