PLDT sets new round of management revamp

PLDT Inc. disclosed a top-level management revamp in line with plans to turn the telco giant’s fortunes around after a tough 2016.

A day after revising downward its earnings target for the year, PLDT announced management changes across 10 key positions in its organization. It said the changes would create a more “aligned, cohesive and collaborative” organization as the company continues its so-called digital shift.

However, missing still was a new CEO, a job that PLDT chair Manuel V. Pangilinan assumed less than a year ago and a position he would hold until a successor is chosen “in 2017”.

In a regulatory filing, PLDT said Eric Alberto was appointed chief revenue officer, a newly created post. He would begin reporting to the CEO on Dec. 1 this year. Alberto was credited with growing the company’s enterprise, international and carrier businesses.

“His expanded role as CRO encompasses and integrates the Home Wireless, Enterprise, International and ICT business across PLDT and Smart,” PLDT said.

Lawyer Ray Espinosa, who heads the group’s regulatory and policy affairs office, would start as chief corporate services officer on Dec. 1. Espinosa is expected to provide more focus on organizing PLDT’s various corporate, legal, regulatory and communications units alongside supply-chain, property facilities management and asset protection risk.

Alex Caeg meanwhile was named head of sales and distribution of Smart. Caeg was cited as a pioneer senior executive in the wireless division.

Ralph Brunner was named chief customer experience and data analytics adviser, a position he will assume on Jan. 1, 2017. Brunner will be responsible for heading the company’s “business analytics functions.”

Liza Sichon was likewise named chief people and culture officer effective Dec. 1 this year. She was described as a seasoned global human resources professional who held top level positions in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

Carlo Ople was appointed enterprise, international and carrier business digital marketing strategy head effective Dec. 1 this year. Ople, a multiawarded digital marketing executive, was a former managing partner of DM9-Digit and founder and editor in chief of Unbox.ph, a popular tech gadget website.

PLDT also announced changes that occurred in recent months.

It said Joseph Ladaban was appointed PLDT Group corporate-wide chief credit collection and churn management officer last Sept. 1, Jerry Brace was appointed chief information adviser last Sept. 12 and Keith Walter was named IT transformation adviser of business transformation last Oct. 23.