BIZ BUZZ: A quiet exit from Sun Life unit

MANILA, Philippines — It seems there has been a quiet change at the top of Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corp. (SLIMTC).

And by “top,” we mean literally, as Michael Gerard Enriquez, SLIMTC president and chief investment officer, has resigned. The reason for his departure was not disclosed.

The change appears to have happened without much public fuss. There was no grand goodbye, at least not one that Biz Buzz could find. All we know is that Enriquez’s Sun Life-linked Viber number is now disconnected, while his company email is no longer operational.

Enriquez had spent nine years as chief investment officer of Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc. before moving to SLIMTC when this new entity was set up in 2021.

Where the veteran fund manager is headed next remains unclear. For now, there is also no announcement on a permanent replacement at SLIMTC.

The company’s website, however, now lists Ritchie Ryan Teo as interim president and chief investment officer.

Teo is no stranger to the top investment job, having served as SLIMTC’s chief investment officer beginning in 2023.

And so, while the investment arm carries on under an interim chief, the circumstances behind Enriquez’s quiet departure remain, well, quiet. —Nyah Genelle C. De Leon