Chua new MBC chair

The Makati Business Club has elected Edgar O. Chua, who recently retired as country chair of the Shell companies in the Philippines, as the group’s new chair.

He replaces Phinma Inc. president and CEO Ramon R. Del Rosario Jr., who served as MBC’s chair for 10 years.

“I am deeply honored and humbled that my fellow trustees have placed their trust and faith in me by electing me to the role.  I have extremely big shoes to fill as Ramon has led MBC so well in the last 10 years,” Chua said in a statement on Tuesday.

“I look forward to working with the Board and the rest of the Club in building on the achievements of MBC by expanding its efforts and reach as the forum for constructive Ideas, working with other business organizations, providing independent insights, being a credible representative of Philippine business domestically and overseas,” he added.

Chua has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2010. Also elected as officers of the MBC were Roberto de Ocampo, and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala as co-vice  chair; Aurelio Montinola III as treasurer; and Cirilo Noel as corporate secretary.

“After 10 years as MBC chairman and with the administration gaining pace in its reform agenda, I believe it is an opportune time to turn over the leadership of MBC to a younger chair. I nominated Ed knowing that he possesses the vision, commitment, and energy to shepherd MBC as a leading voice of Philippine business at a time of strong economic growth, greater international awareness, and significant change,” Del Rosario said.

“It has been a great privilege serving as your chairman when we experienced great highs and lows as a people. I step down, grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to the Philippines’ revival as a bright spot in Asia,” he added. —Amy R. Remo