Originally published in Aboitiz Eyes.
By Bianca Gempesaw
When GT2025 set the direction for transformation across the Group, AEV’s Group Internal Audit (GIA) Team saw its own evolution reflected in that vision—agility, insight, and innovation. From early analytics adoption in the 1990s to decentralized structures by 2011, GIA’s progress had long aligned with the Group’s broader shift. And as GT2025 launched, GIA was well-positioned to contribute further and drive momentum from within, shifting from compliance enforcers to trusted partners, advancing digital audit tools like real-time dashboards, and helping shape a more proactive mindset across the organization.
A Vision Beyond Compliance
For GIA, transformation was never just about tools. It started with a bold question: How can internal audit create more value?
In 2012, GIA Head Marie Tanate introduced a new vision: “To be the most trusted partner in bridging value creation through meaningful and objective insights.” Backing this vision was a mission built on proactivity, partnership, and relevance—a clear signal that GIA was evolving its role, not just ensuring compliance, but contributing more strategically to the business.
She challenged her team to move beyond the “police” stereotype and embrace the mindset of “doctors”: diagnosing root causes of issues, prescribing improvements, and collaborating to strengthen systems.
“There was a time when people avoided internal audit,” shared Internal Audit Manager Ricky Alcovendas. “Now, some come to us early seeking assistance on how auditing can help solve issues and problems in their systems and processes. Our A-people have started to embrace the proactive mindset with regards to the internal audit function.”
Auditors began integrating earlier in business discussions, guiding remediation, and surfacing risks before they became crises. That mindset reflects the essence of GT2025—empowering people to think systemically, act collaboratively, and drive transformation at every level.
How History Shaped Their Future
The roots of internal audit at Aboitiz stretch back to the 1960s. From being housed under ACO’s accounting group to becoming a corporate function in the 1990s, GIA evolved alongside the business. In the 2010s, as the Group rapidly expanded, GIA decentralized and established resident teams within each Strategic Business Unit to allow for closer engagement and specialization.
This structure not only strengthened oversight, it also brought audit professionals closer to the business challenges they were there to support.
Digital Journeys and Hard Lessons
GIA’s digital evolution wasn’t linear—it involved a lot of experimentation, pivots, and breakthroughs. While GIA had already adopted Audit Command Language (ACL) for data mining in the ’90s, with early wins like billing audits, it also faced roadblocks.
Not every digital initiative took off. Some, like an AI-driven audit chatbot project, were shelved after multiple iterations failed to deliver actionable results. A promising in-house audit management system of a resident audit team stalled after its creator left, highlighting the risk of over-relying on a single individual.
“Not all digital projects land perfectly,” Marie reflected during the team’s strategy session. “But even the ones we stop teach us how to move better and build smarter.”
GIA’s digital transformation gained momentum through key breakthroughs, chief among them was Paperless Audit 2.0—a centralized, in-house platform powered by Google and designed around the team’s workflows. It became GIA’s digital backbone, housing files, templates, project dashboards, and GT2025-aligned communications. A notable feature was the Issues Monitoring Tracker, which gave teams real-time visibility across engagements, replacing weeks of follow-up with instant updates and automated alerts.
These weren’t just technical upgrades—they reinforced GIA’s shift toward more collaborative, responsive audit work, aligned with the broader transformation across the Group.
“We used to spend days consolidating updates,” Information System Audit Manager Gerald Herrera recalled. “Now, with the dashboards, we can spot issues in real time and respond before they escalate. It has changed how fast—and how well—we work.”
Aligned with Aboitiz’s GT2025 ambitions, GIA continues to evolve with a clear focus on:
- Becoming Future-Ready – exploring the relatively new ESG audits, deepening use of analytics, and remaining agile in the face of regulatory and operational complexity.
- Talent as a Differentiator – developing career auditors with the skills, confidence, and curiosity to lead in an increasingly digital world.
- Learning Through Co-Sourcing – partnering with external experts not just for compliance, but to deepen internal capabilities.
Leadership That Lasts
For Marie, whose tenure has shaped so much of GIA’s modern identity, the legacy isn’t just in what was built—it is in what was made possible. Her message to AEV remains simple and strong: “GIA is here to help. Let us be one of your partners in the journey of transforming.”
Marie’s legacy is more than systems—she leaves a leadership blueprint grounded in three principles: empowerment, integrity, and resilience. These principles echo the values championed by GT2025—empowering teams to lead with purpose, integrity, and adaptability.
As the Aboitiz Group continues to evolve, GIA remains a proud and proactive partner, redefining what it means to be a strategic, insightful, and value-driven internal audit team.
