Martirez steps down as Smart COO

MANILA, Philippines — Telecommunications veteran Anastacio Martirez has stepped down as chief operating officer of Smart Communications following months of speculation about friction in the workplace.

This departure comes only about a year after his PLDT Group comeback.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, Smart Group and parent firm PLDT announced Martirez’s resignation, which had taken effect on Oct. 21.

“Mr. Anastacio R. Martirez has today expressed his intention to pursue his original entrepreneurial ventures which will be outside Smart Communications, Inc.,” the group statement said.

“Smart has accepted his decision, and wishes him well in such ventures,” it added.

Martirez returned to the PLDT group in September 2024. In his previous stint with the same group, he had headed the personal communications and mobile services division, but left the organization in 2005, along with another top officer, Pete Lawrence.

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Industry sources said Martirez, who had been mandated to pursue structural reforms in the organization after a controversial budget overrun saga, instead drew flak from some colleagues. /dda

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