Event | PwC Philippines expands Financial Crime Unit presence with new Davao office

L–R: PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting Services Philippines Co. Ltd. Senior Managers Patricia Anne David and Ivan Aguila; PwC APAC Financial Crime Leader Ivan Zasarsky; PwC South East Asia Consulting CEO Martijn Peeters; PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting Services Philippines Co. Ltd. Managing Principal Veronica Bartolome; PwC Financial Crime Unit Consulting Partner Ryan Marte; Isla Lipana & Co./PwC Philippines Assurance Partner Rikki Dalangin; PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting Services Philippines Co. Ltd. Director Monaliza Serrano; PricewaterhouseCoopers Business Services Philippines Co. Ltd. Human Capital Director Jing Saliendra.

Davao City, 22 September 2026 — PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting Services Philippines Co. Ltd., a member firm of the PwC network, has officially opened a new Financial Crime Unit (FCU) office in Davao City, strengthening its presence in Mindanao and supporting businesses and talent across the region.

The opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the PwC Philippines office in Agdao, where the FCU's new facility will be housed. The expansion highlights the FCU’s purpose of empowering businesses to protect their financial integrity and mitigate the risks of financial crimes, including money laundering and terrorist financing. Through this growth initiative, the firm also aims to contribute to regional economic development by creating high-value employment opportunities and nurturing the next generation of talent in Davao and neighboring cities.

The ceremony was led by Martijn Peeters, CEO of PwC South East Asia Consulting, and Veronica Bartolome, Managing Principal of PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting Services Philippines Co. Ltd.. 

Each leader highlighted Mindanao's growing economic importance and the need to help businesses navigate an increasingly complex risk environment.

In a message delivered in support of the occasion, Roderick Danao, Chairman and Senior Partner of Isla Lipana & Co./PwC Philippines, underscored the significance of this milestone. "As businesses face increasingly sophisticated financial crime risks, access to specialized expertise has never been more critical,” he shared in a statement. “We believe organizations of all sizes should have the support they need to strengthen their operations, effectively manage risk, and pursue growth with confidence. With Davao emerging as a key driver of the country's economic progress, we are committed to supporting its growth by expanding our presence and investing in the region's exceptional and emerging talent."

The Davao office will serve as a hub for developing specialized talent and capabilities in financial crime prevention, equipping professionals with the skills needed to help businesses navigate complex financial crime risks.

Bartolome said, "We see immense potential in the talent across Mindanao and are excited to help unlock new career opportunities in this growing field. Through specialized training, collaborative learning, and access to our global network of professionals, we aim to develop the next generation of financial crime prevention specialists. Over time, we hope to build a strong and sustainable talent pipeline that will support the needs of businesses in the Philippines and around the world."

Also present at the ceremony were Ryan Marte, Consulting Partner at the Financial Crime Unit of PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting Services Philippines Co. Ltd.; Ivan Zasarsky, PwC APAC Financial Crime Leader at PwC South East Asia Consulting; and Rikki Dalangin, Assurance Partner at Isla Lipana & Co./PwC Philippines, who joined firm leaders in celebrating the milestone.

The opening of the Davao facility marks another step in PwC Philippines' efforts to support regional business growth. Through investments like these, the firm continues to support stronger businesses, create quality jobs, and contribute to regional development.