Edmund Alan A. Qua Hiansen l 19 February 2025 at the Manila Polo Club
Good afternoon, Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr., esteemed FINEX colleagues, and honored guests.
Welcome to our 2nd General Membership Meeting for 2025, titled “Ripples of the Trump Presidency: Preparing for Impact.” As the saying goes, “When the US sneezes, the world catches a cold.” This adage has never been more relevant, reminding us of the interconnectedness of our global economy as President Trump has already made radical changes to the US Government, including announcing unprecedented trade tariffs, brokering a ceasefire in Gaza and streamlining the US Government. To navigate the impact of these changes and his second term in office, we have one of the most qualified speakers in the Philippines in former Ambassador Cuisia to share his thoughts so that we can properly guide our companies.
In our 1st General Membership Meeting, our keynote speaker, Ramon del Rosario Jr. brought up his concerns on the national budget, specifically the lack of transparency and the potential for corruption. At the same time, he challenged FINEX to be guardians of our nation’s dignity and to be a leading voice in shaping the national discourse. To that effect, along with the Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Business for Social Progress, the Judicial Reform Initiative and the UP School of Economics Alumni
Association, FINEX signed a joint statement calling for a transparent and accountable budget process. Through our Advocacy Committee we are continuing to educate ourselves on this matter of national importance and plan our role accordingly.
As we strive to shape a prosperous future for Philippine business, I want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of our annual membership dues for 2025. Timely payment of these dues is crucial to maintaining the exceptional level of service, advocacy, and industry initiatives that benefit every member of FINEX.
I am pleased to report that, as of Monday, 242 members have already settled their dues, and we sincerely thank them for their promptness. However, we still have 245 members with outstanding payments totaling 6.1 million pesos. I urge those who have not yet completed their payments to act swiftly. Our goal is to collect all membership dues by March 15, ensuring the seamless execution of our vital programs and commitments this year.
To facilitate this process, our dedicated FINEX Secretariat will be sending out email reminders and making personal phone calls to follow up on pending payments. Your questions or requests for assistance are always welcome, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Secretariat, specifically Micheal Vinluan or Antonette Santiago. They
are eager to support you in any way they can.
Your immediate attention to this matter is greatly appreciated and showcases your unwavering commitment to the growth and strength of FINEX. Together, let’s meet our March 15 target and bolster our association’s impact.
Thank you all for your continued support and dedication to advancing our mission.
Last but not least, we are pleased to welcome representatives from FINEX Cebu today: President Atty. Florimae Velasco, Vice President Jason Ong, and, of course, Grant Cheng. We will be signing a Memorandum of Agreement to further strengthen our almost 40-year relationship. To our members with offices in Cebu, please encourage your colleagues to join for their personal and professional development and so that we can continue to develop FINEX nationwide. Thank you.