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Monday, February 17, 2025

PwC chair committed to integrity

“By writing fabricated stories and lies, it’s not only irresponsible and unfair, but a disservice to the public.”

Roderick Danao’s life journey reflects a quiet strength of character and a steadfast commitment to integrity—qualities that have shaped his path and align closely with the core values of PwC Philippines.

From his early struggles growing up in a family of peasants to becoming the chairman and senior partner of PwC Philippines, Danao’s leadership embodies the firm’s dedication to making a positive impact on society.

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“Growing up, my family didn’t own any land. My parents worked as laborers, and my mom would stay up late into the night sorting mung beans and shelling peanuts just to make extra money. We were constantly struggling,” Danao said. “But those early experiences gave me a determination to change my future. I knew that if I didn’t study hard, the cycle of poverty would never end.”

This determination pushed him to pursue a degree in Accountancy at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP). Despite facing significant financial challenges, including the toll it took on his health—he struggled with a chronic ulcer from subsisting on little more than two pieces of pandesal for lunch and walking long distances to school to save money—Danao excelled academically.

“I was hungry, not just for food, but for knowledge. I knew education was my way out,” he recalled, underscoring how his drive to succeed and constant prayers led him to overcome physical hardships.

Climbing corporate ladder

At Joaquin Cunanan & Co. (now PwC Philippines), Danao quickly proved himself not only through his technical skills but also his unshakable integrity. Over the years, he rose through the ranks, eventually becoming chairman and senior partner in 2021.

Danao’s work ethic has always been guided by one principle – that true success goes beyond personal achievements. For him, it’s about making a meaningful impact on both the people around him and the communities PwC serves.

“At PwC, our goal isn’t just to be a successful firm. We want to make a tangible difference in the lives of the people we work with and for,” he explained, emphasizing that the firm’s success is measured by the positive change it creates and sustains.

Making a meaningful difference is evident in PwC’s initiatives under Danao’s stewardship. He emphasized that the firm invests significant resources into helping young people, particularly those from underserved communities.

“We’re not doing it for publicity; we’re doing it because it’s the right thing to do,” he said. In over 100 years, PwC remains committed to empowering the next generation by providing them with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.

Push for economic growth

A born leader and problem solver, Danao has become a strong advocate for industrialization and inclusive growth.  He believes that without industrialization, families like his will continue to face poverty for generations.

One area where Danao has particularly focused his efforts is agriculture, a sector close to his roots.

“I come from a farming background, and I know firsthand the potential agriculture has to drive economic growth,” he said. “But it needs to evolve. We need to help modernize farming practices and create the next generation of agripreneurs who can change the way we think about agriculture.”

Responding to misinformation

As PwC navigates the challenges of misinformation, Danao’s response remains rooted in the core values of integrity and transparency that define the firm.

Recently, PwC became the target of a media platform spreading misinformation about the firm. Among the false claims was the unfounded assertion that PwC was being replaced as the auditor for BPI, as well as inaccuracies regarding the Securities and Exchange Commission’s fee disclosure rules, which were allegedly used to flag PwC’s services for a non-compliant client.

In response, Danao maintained a calm but firm stance, emphasizing the importance of truth in journalism.

“I hope this won’t happen to any of their competitors,” Danao said. “By writing fabricated stories and lies, it’s not only irresponsible and unfair, but a disservice to the public.”

He said PwC’s focus remains on maintaining its integrity and doing the right thing, no matter the distractions. “We don’t waste time responding to lies. We focus on what matters: doing our work with integrity and continuing to make a positive impact.”

“We know who we are, and we know the value we bring to our clients. These false claims don’t define us. We focus on what really matters—doing our job with integrity and making a positive impact. We don’t respond to lies or false narratives. We focus on staying true to our values and keeping our eyes on the bigger picture.”

Leading with purpose

For Danao, leadership is about more than just achieving business success; it’s about making a real difference in the lives of others. He believes that at the end of the day, it’s not about the money or recognition, but about helping others, making a difference in the community, and fulfilling a higher purpose.

Under his leadership, PwC has embraced this philosophy in everything it does—from education and community development initiatives to supporting local industries. “We’ve worked with universities to give students opportunities they might not otherwise have had. It’s not about making money from this. It’s about transforming lives and giving people the tools to succeed,” he shared.

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