BIZ BUZZ: Singson out, Perez in?

The MVP Group is not yet done shaking up its top management.

First, Anastacio “Boy” Martirez was brought back to the telco group as the new chief operating officer of Smart Communications Inc. Then, Menardo “Butch” Jimenez Jr. was named executive vice president and chief operating officer of PLDT.

Then now, Rogelio “Babes” Singson is about to step down as president and chief executive officer of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp (MPTC).

Biz Buzz sources say Singson has started saying his goodbyes and not a few were caught by surprise that the former public works secretary will bid adieu to the company he helped build to what it is today.

But apparently the time has come for the “old” to make way for the new.

He leaves MPTC as the biggest toll road developer in the Philippines with operations as well in Indonesia and Vietnam.

Here, its portfolio includes the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway, Cavite-Laguna Expressway, Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway and the NLEx Connector Road (NLEx Connector).

Singson certainly leaves MPTC much bigger and stronger than how he found it.

Who will replace him?

Word is that it will be Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) president Arrey Perez, who has resigned from his post, effective end-September.

Perez did not stay long as CIAC head but already made a difference, having pushed projects for Clark’s 1,600-hectare aviation complex and kickstarted the Clark National Food Hub project.

The transition from Singson to Perez is expected to be concluded at the end of the year, paving the way for a brand new beginning for MPTC in 2025. —Tina Arceo-Dumlao

Changes at Grab, too

A new official is taking the driver’s seat at Grab Philippines—and it is someone we already know.

Now former chief operating officer Ronald Roda has been appointed as the ride-hailing company’s new country head.

He led the GrabCar business of the super app operator, allowing the company to expand across 200 cities.

The ex-country head, Grace Vera Cruz, is taking on the role of head of Grab’s regional corporate strategy. She was in the top post for four years, steering the company at a time when COVID-19 restrictions slowed down business.

“I am committed to continuing the great work and building on the strong relationships established under Grace’s leadership,” Roda said.

“I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support, collaboration, trust and openness from all our partners and stakeholders who have believed in Grab’s success during my tenure,” Vera Cruz added. —Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

From aviation to shipping

Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp. has welcomed Gilbert Santa Maria as the newest member of its board of directors.

The shipper led by Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy said Santa Maria’s “extensive expertise in the transportation and logistics industry will provide valuable insights and drive further growth for the company.”

Santa Maria previously served as president of Philippine Airlines, helping the flag carrier complete the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process in 2021.

Chelsea, for this year, said it was keen on growing revenues by “expanding services, which are responsive to market conditions and focus on profitable routes.”

“We will explore strategic partnerships for growth and cost-sharing. Finally, we will maintain a stable balance sheet and manage debt levels to ensure liquidity,” president and CEO Alfonsus Damuy said.—Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

Bull’s eye for the Consunjis

The Consunji family has hit the mark yet again, and it’s thanks to its three shiny—and golden—awards.

DMCI Holdings Inc., the group’s engineering and construction conglomerate, and energy firm Semirara Mining and Power Corp. both clinched three Golden Arrow awards at the recent Asean Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) Golden Arrow awards.

“Our three Golden Arrow awards reflect our unwavering commitment to good corporate governance,” DMCI chair Isidro Consunji said in a statement.

“We remain dedicated to upholding transparency, accountability and ethical business practices to protect stakeholder value and support sustainable progress,” the tycoon added.

You may have already guessed it—after all, both DMCI and Semirara have been receiving this award since 2019–but the prestigious recognition is given to publicly listed companies for “exemplary adherence” to the Philippine Code of Corporate Governance.

The triple arrow is the third-highest award a company can get if their ACGS score falls from 100 to 109 points. The five-arrow recognition is reserved for firms with scores of 120 to 130 points.

Will DMCI and Semirara finally score the highest award next year? —Meg J. Adonis

BDO gets the bag, too

The year is again looking rosy for the country’s biggest bank, and we still have three months left.

Apart from an anticipated surge in loan demand due to the recent interest rate cut, BDO Capital and Investment Corp. recently scored another win: its seventh consecutive Corporate and Investment Bank of the Year award at the Asian Banking and Finance Awards.

“BDO Capital remains focused on leading in debt capital markets and selectively pursuing public and private equity transactions,” the company said in a statement.

That’s not all: BDO Capital also scored the Project Infrastructure Finance Deal of the Year award for its role in the mammoth P100-billion Metro Rail Transit Line 7 project finance loan.

And as if that’s not enough, the Sy family-led investment bank took home the Green Deal of the Year award for being the joint issue manager and joint lead underwriter for Ayala-led ACEN Corp.’s P25-billion preferred share issuance.

What a year! Maybe there’s more coming in the last three months for BDO Capital? —Meg J. Adonis