Key Players

The following are the key players in ensuring the application of good governance practices and policies within Meralco:

  1. SHAREHOLDERS
  2. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
  3. BOARD COMMITTEES
  4. MANAGEMENT
  5. EXTERNAL AUDITOR
  6. INTERNAL AUDITOR
  7. EMPLOYEES
  8. SUBSIDIARIES
  9. OTHER STAKEHOLDERS

A. SHAREHOLDERS

Meralco recognizes its responsibility to protect its shareholders' rights by creating value and ensuring sustainable growth in business. Meralco upholds their rights to obtain relevant information about Meralco in a timely and regular basis.

Meralco's financial performance and prospects are regularly reported to the SEC and PSE. These reports are immediately made public through press releases and postings in the Meralco's website.

Investors' briefings are held quarterly, where equity and credit analysts of both local and foreign-based institutions are invited. Analysts who are unable to attend in person participate through a teleconference facility with playback feature available up to three days after the event. Members of Senior Management make themselves available for meetings with institutional investors through Company visits, teleconferences, briefings and attendance in local and international investor conferences.

Press/media briefings are likewise held regularly to report on Meralco's operating and financial results to the various representatives of media, particularly from the television, print and wire agencies. Such briefings are venues for Management to answer questions and clarify issues prior to the release of information to the public.

Shareholders and investors are provided with adequate facilities to communicate with Meralco through telephone, mail, electronic mail, and website, www.meralco.com.ph. The Investor Relations Office supervises the investors' briefings and attends to institutional investors' needs. Stockholder Affairs Office attends to the inquiries and other concerns of shareholders, including the distribution of Notice and Agenda of the Annual General Meeting, or AGM, at least 30 days before the said meeting. Notices were sent on April 27, 2011, 34 days before the 2011 AGM on May 31, 2011.

Meralco also adheres to its commitment to maintain a fair and competitive return to its investors. Meralco has a dividend policy approved by the Board which was ratified by the shareholders in 2010. The policy provides for payment of regular dividends equivalent to 50% of core earnings, which may be supplemented by a special dividend determined on a “look-back" basis. Any declaration and payment of special dividend shall be dependent on the availability of unrestricted retained earnings and availability of free cash. The details of the cash dividend pay-outs are included in Note 18 to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Annual General Meeting

The AGM serves as a venue to report to and engage the shareholders, as well as to clarify issues in the presence of the Board, Management, external auditors, and shareholders. Shareholders are encouraged to personally attend the AGM and if unable to do so, are advised of their right to appoint a proxy on their behalf. Notarization of a proxy is not required but has to comply with the requirements of law, in particular, the Corporation Code and SRC, pertinent rules and regulations, By-Laws, and rules and policies adopted by the Board.

The AGM held on May 31, 2011 was attended, in person or proxy, by stockholders who owned or held a total of over 949 million shares or approximately 84% of the 1,127 million total issued and outstanding common shares of Meralco entitled to vote.

The Chairman of the Board, Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez, presided over the meeting. All of the members of the Board elected at the AGM, except for Mr. Ray C. Espinosa and Mr. Napoleon L. Nazareno, were present.


Back to Top  

B. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board is primarily responsible for the governance of Meralco. Corollary to setting the policies for the accomplishment of the corporate objectives, the Board also provides an independent oversight on Management. The Board establishes Meralco's vision, mission, strategic objectives, policies and procedures that guide its activities, including the mechanisms for effective monitoring of Management's performance. The Board also ensures that internal control mechanisms for good governance are adequate.

Board Composition

The Board consists of 11 directors which are elected by the stockholders during the AGM. The Board represents a mix of disciplines in the area of business, finance, operations and legal competencies, with each director capable of adding value and exercising independent judgment. Of these directors, two are independent directors, seven are non-executive directors, and two are executive directors. The composition of the Board clearly delineates their responsibilities with those of Management.



Board Independence

Meralco complies with Rule 38 of the Implementing Rules of the SRC on the qualifications, nomination and election of independent directors. Each elected independent director has no business or other relationship with Meralco that could, or could reasonably be perceived to, materially interfere with the exercise of his independent judgment in carrying out his responsibilities as a director.

The Chairman of the Board and the President and CEO

To further strengthen the Board’s independence, the position of the Chairman of the Board is separated from the President and CEO. Each position has distinct and separate duties and responsibilities in accordance with Meralco’s amended By-Laws and Revised Manual of Corporate Governance. The Chairman of the Board is Manuel V. Pangilinan, while the President and CEO is Mr. Oscar S. Reyes.

Election of Directors

In accordance with the provisions of the Company's By-Laws and Manual of Corporate Governance, the Corporation Code of the Philippines and the SRC, nominees for board directorship go through a nomination and screening process. The final list of nominees is determined after pre-screening and evaluation. The directors are elected by stockholders who are entitled to vote during the AGM. They serve for a period of one year and until their successors are qualified and elected.

Board Remuneration

Meralco's directors do not receive any compensation other than the Board-approved per diem for their attendance in Board and Committee Meetings. In 2011, each director was entitled to a director's fee of Php120,000 for each Board meeting attended. Each member or advisor of the Audit and Risk Management, Remuneration and Leadership Development (formerly Compensation and Benefits), Finance, Nomination and Governance Committees was entitled to a fee of Php20, 000 for every committee meeting attended.

Board Performance

The Board holds monthly meetings and special Board meetings, if so required, with agenda that include updates by the Chairman of the Board and the Board committees, reports on financial performance by the Chief Finance Officer or CFO, and operational performance by the President and CEO, the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, or COO, among other major issues of Meralco.

The Board has separate and independent access to the Corporate Secretary, who oversees the adequate flow of information to the Board prior to meetings and advises directors about their duties. During Board meetings, discussions are open and independent views are given due consideration. Average attendance in the Board's 12 meetings last year was more than 89%.

The following table shows the participation of the Board in the AGM, Organization Meeting and its regular meetings:


Member


Designation

May 29, 2012

Annual General
Meeting

Organizational Meeting

Manuel V. Pangilinan

Chairman

Present

Present

Ramon S. Ang

Vice-Chairman
and Director

Present

Present

Manuel M. Lopez

Director

Present

Present

Jose Ma. K. Lim

Director

N/A

Present

Ray C. Espinosa

Director

Present

Present

Estelito P. Mendoza

Director

Not Present

Not Present

(Ret.) Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban

Independent
Director

Present

Present

Vicente L. Panlilio

Director

Present

Present

Eric O. Recto

Director

Present

Present

Oscar S. Reyes

Director

Present

Present

Pedro E. Roxas

Independent
Director

Present

Present

The Board recognizes the importance of a regular performance assessment, individually and collectively as part of their accountability. Assessments were done to evaluate their specific and overall performance for the past calendar year. The assessment of their 2011 performance was conducted on February 3, 2012.

On May 20, 2011 the Board also assessed the performance of the different committees. The Board evaluated their individual and collective performances regarding the Board and its committees' structures, processes and responsibilities. The assessment likewise identified the training and skills development program needed by the Board. As a result, an orientation on the regulatory process and related issues was held on November 28, 2011.

The Board reviewed the 2011 performance of the President and CEO during the January 30, 2012 Board meeting. It was based on the attainment of target corporate goals for 2011.

pdf Board and Board Committee Assessment Instruments


Back to Top  

C. BOARD COMMITTEES

The Board of Directors shall form Board Committees to aid in ensuring compliance with the principles of good corporate governance. The members of such Committees shall be appointed by the Board of Directors annually.

The Company's Board has five standing committees:

  1. Executive Committee;
  2. Nomination and Governance Committee;
  3. Audit and Risk Management Committee;
  4. Remuneration and Leadership Development Committee; and
  5. Finance Committee.

    All committees have approved charters defining and specifying the scope of their responsibilities.

  1. Executive Committee (ExCom) –The ExCom may act, by majority vote of all its members, on such specific matters within the competence of the Board, as may be delegated to it in the By-Laws or on a majority vote of the Board, subject to the limitations provided by the Corporation Code of the Philippines.

  2. See Executive Committee Charter.

    The following are the members of the ExCom:

    Member Designation
    Manuel V. Pangilinan Chairman
    Ramon S. Ang Vice Chairman
    Manuel M. Lopez Member
    Artemio V. Panganiban Member(Independent Director)
    Eric O. Recto Member

    See Meetings and Seminars section for the attendance to the ExCom meetings.

  3. Nomination and Governance Committee (Nom & GovCom) –is responsible for screening qualified nominees for election as directors; assessing the independence of directors; introducing improvements on Board organization and procedures; setting-up of mechanisms for performance evaluation of the Board and Management; and providing programs for continuing education of the Board.

  4. See Nomination and Governance Committee Charter.

    The following are the members of the Nom&GovComm:

    Member Designation
    Pedro E. Roxas Chairman (Independent Director)
    Estelito P. Mendoza Vice Chairman
    Ray C. Espinosa Member
    Jose Ma. K. Lim Member

    In 2011, the Nom & GovCom: a) screened and selected the nominees for election as members of the Board; b) reviewed the rules on nomination of candidates, validation of proxies, and appreciation of ballots; c) reviewed revisions in the Manual of Corporate Governance; d) reviewed the committee charter; e) conducted Board and Board Committee self-assessment and evaluated its results; f) facilitated Board orientation on regulatory processes; and g) assessed skills and training needs of the Directors.

    See Meetings and Seminars section for the attendance to the Nom & GovCom meetings.

  5. Audit and Risk Management Committee (AuditCom) – it assists the Board in its oversight responsibility in the financial reporting process, system of risk management and internal control, audit process, and monitoring compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations

  6. See Audit and Risk Management Committee Charter.

    The AuditCom is composed of the following members:

    Member Designation
    Artemio V. Panganiban Chairman (Independent Director)
    Vicente L. Panlilio Vice Chairman
    Jose Ma. K. Lim Member
    Eric O. Recto Member
    Pedro E. Roxas Member (Independent Director)
    Anabelle L. Chua Non-Director

    In 2011, the AuditCom was able to accomplish the following: a) review of the Company's 2010 audited financial statements and 2011 quarterly financial statements; b) review and approval of the 2010 Audit and Risk Management Committee Report to the Board; c) evaluation of external auditor's performance and endorsement of the nomination of the external auditor and its fees for 2011; d) review of 2010 internal audit performance and status report; e) approval of external quality assessment review for the internal audit activity; f) review and approval of external auditor's 2011 audit plan; g) evaluate Board Committee self-assessment results; h) review the AuditCom Charter; and i) evaluate the Company's risk profile and management structure, systems and processes.

    See Meetings and Seminars section for the attendance to the AuditCom meetings.

  7. Remuneration and Leadership Development Committee (Remuneration & LDCom) – Remuneration and LDCom, formerly Compensation and Benefits Committee, assists the Board in the development of the Company's overall compensation and retirement policies and programs based on the Board approved philosophy and budget.

  8. See Remuneration & LDCom Charter.

    Remuneration & LDCom is composed of the following members:

    Member Designation
    Manuel V. Pangilinan Chairman
    Eric O. Recto Vice Chairman
    Jose Ma. K. Lim Member
    Pedro E. Roxas Member (Independent Director)

    In 2011, the Remuneration and LDCom a) reviewed and endorsed to the Board new remuneration policy, philosophy, design and programs of Meralco; b) recommended the implementation of the Long-term Incentive Plan; c) evaluated the 2010 employee performance results and proposals for the 2011 and 2012 performance management system and incentive plans; d) conducted the 2010 performance evaluation of the President and CEO; e) reviewed and recommended improvements to the Remuneration and LDCom charter, including renaming the committee to Remuneration and Leadership Development Committee to align with its expanded responsibilities; and f) nominated the Board of Trustees of the Meralco Pension Fund.

    See Meetings and Seminars for the attendance to the Remuneration & LDCom meetings.

  9. Finance Committee (FinCom) – It reviews the financial operations of the Company and matters regarding acquisition of or investments in companies, businesses or projects.

  10. See Finance Committee Charter.

    The FinCom is composed of the following members:

    Member Designation
    Ray C. Espinosa Chairman
    Manuel M. Lopez Member
    Eric O. Recto Member
    Pedro E. Roxas Member (Independent Director)
    Ferdinand K. Constantino Non-Director
    Anabelle L. Chua Non-Director

    In 2011, FinCom a) reviewed and recommended the approval of the 2012 consolidated corporate budget; b) reviewed and recommended the approval of the medium-term financial plans; c) recommended the approval of cash dividend declarations for common and preferred shares; d) reviewed quarterly cash projections and finance operations report; e) recommended the redemption on the callable preferred shares; f) reviewed the proposals for new debts and refinancing of existing obligations; g) reviewed investment plans; h) reviewed and recommended the funding of the Meralco Pension Fund; i) recommended the approval of the divestment from the real estate business; j) reviewed and recommended major purchase contracts; k) approved the disposal of asset no longer needed in the operations; and l) recommended approval of bank accreditation and signing authorities.

    See Meetings and Seminars section for the attendance to the FinCom meetings.


Back to Top  

D. MANAGEMENT

Management is primarily accountable to the Board. It is responsible for the Company's successful implementation of the strategy and direction as approved by the Board. Management is represented by a Management Committee (ManCom) composed of the corporate officers and executives headed by the President and CEO, or in his absence, the Senior Executive Vice President and COO. Weekly meetings are conducted by the ManCom to ensure implementation of major policies and directions governing the Company and its subsidiaries. It reports to the Board during regular Board meetings or during special meetings through the President and CEO and/or the Senior Executive Vice President and COO.

The annual performance of Management is assessed through the achievement of the Company's established Balanced Scorecard indicators. To ensure continued success in managing Company operations, Management attended a structured executive training and development, including training on compensation and benefit plans and on succession planning. In addition, similar training programs were provided for senior management and the executive levels.

Following are the officers of Meralco since May 31, 2012:


Manuel V. Pangilinan Chairman
Ramon S. Ang Vice Chairman
Oscar S. Reyes President & Chief Executive Officer
Simeon Ken R. Ferrer Corporate Secretary & Compliance Officer
Ricardo V. Buencamino Executive Vice President
Roberto R. Almazora Senior Vice President
Alfredo S. Panlilio Senior Vice President
Ramon B. Segismundo Senior Vice President
Betty C. Siy-Yap Senior Vice President & Chief Finance Officer
Rafael L. Andrada First Vice President & Treasurer
Ruben B. Benosa First Vice President
Helen T. de Guzman First Vice President
Ivanna G. de la Pena First Vice President
William S. Pamintuan First Vice President & Assistant Corporate Secretary
Angelita S. Atanacio Vice President
Bennette D. Bachoco Vice President
Marthyn S. Cuan Vice President
Ruth B. David Vice President
Rustico C. de Borja, Jr. Vice President
Gerardo F. Dela Paz Vice President
Melinda P. Derpo Vice President
Manolo C. Fernando Vice President & Assistant Treasurer
Victor Emmanuel S. Genuino Vice President
Nixon G. Hao Vice President
Fortunato C. Leynes Vice President
Redentor L. Marquez Vice President
Raymond B. Ravelo Vice President
Nestor P. Sarmiento Vice President
Liza Rose G. Serrano-Diangson Vice President
Jose Antonio T. Valdez Vice President

Presented below is a snapshot of Meralco's table of organization.

Click here to enlarge image.


Back to Top  

E. EXTERNAL AUDITOR

SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV & Co.) was reappointed as the independent external auditor of the Company, through the approval of the shareholders in the Annual General Meeting on May 31, 2011.

The engagement partner assigned to the Company since 2008 is Mr. Gemilo J. San Pedro, who has extensive accounting and auditing experience. The appointment is in accordance with the SEC regulation on the qualification of external auditors.

The AuditCom ensures that the independence of the external auditors is maintained. In line with this, the AuditCom does not allow engagement of SGV in any non-audit work that (i) will conflict with their duties as external auditors or (ii) may impair or pose a threat to their independence. Any non-audit work, if allowed, is disclosed in the Meralco Annual Report.

During the year, the external auditors provided the following audit and permissible non-audit services to Meralco and its subsidiaries.

Consolidated Audit Fees (in million Php)
  2011 2010
Financial statements audit 9.2 9.4
Tax services and others 1.0 1.5
Total 10.2 10.9

There has been no disagreement with the external auditors on any matter of accounting principles or practices or auditing scope or procedure, and financial statement disclosure.


Back to Top  

F. INTERNAL AUDITOR

The internal audit activities conform to the concepts and principles enunciated in the definition of internal auditing as an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organization's operations. Internal audit services are performed in accordance with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.

The internal audit group is led by a chief audit executive and includes 23 other staff with professional qualifications, which include Certified Internal Auditors, Certified Information Systems Auditors and Certified Public Accountants. The tasks of the internal audit group are set out in the Corporate Audit Charter and the Code of Corporate Governance of Meralco. To provide for independence of the internal audit group, the chief audit executive reports functionally to the AuditCom and administratively to the President and CEO in a manner outlined in the Corporate Audit Charter.

Ms. Helen T. de Guzman, the First Vice President and Chief Audit Executive of the Manila Electric Company or MERALCO, heads our Corporate (Internal) Audits. Prior to her internal audit posting, she has held other positions within the MERALCO group and other companies as external auditor, accounting officer, finance and administrative officer, comptroller, assistant general manager, treasury operations officer & assistant treasurer and compliance officer.

Ms. De Guzman is a Certified Internal Auditor, a Certified Public Accountant, an Executive MBA degree holder from the Asian Institute of Management and a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Directors of the Philippines. She likewise belongs to the core group of independent validators of the Institute of Internal Auditors Philippines or IIAP and a qualified team leader for external quality assessment reviews.

Annually, a risk-based internal audit plan is prepared and approved by the AuditCom.

In 2011, the internal audit group issued reports to Senior Management and the Audit and Risk Management Committee to communicate the results of reviews and audits covering various operational units of the Company and its subsidiaries including specific areas of concern identified by Management. Significant concerns, which have been reported by the internal audit group, and the implementation of responsive remedial measures, are monitored by Management and by the AuditCom.


Back to Top  

G. EMPLOYEES

Meralco is committed to the development and welfare of its employees. As the Company sustains its efforts in building a high performance culture to fully respond to the requirements of the new business environment, employees are continuously trained and developed to enable them to achieve excellent performance founded on our corporate values. Career development programs are implemented to ensure professional growth through skills and job enrichment opportunities, learning and development programs, performance management and promotions systems. Employees are compensated based on performance and over-all qualifications and market competitiveness. Adequate provisions for medical, health and other essential benefits; and workplace safety are provided to promote employee welfare and well-being. Uprightness and impartiality are observed in conflict resolution. HR Programs for our employees are continuously reviewed and enhanced to ensure their over-all effectiveness and responsiveness.

The Company is further committed in sustaining and/or further enhancing the high level of engagement of employees. Guided by the results of an employee engagement survey conducted, focused and deliberate initiatives are undertaken to help ensure employees job satisfaction and motivation. Employee communication is strengthened to keep employees well-informed on significant developments. Employees are likewise encouraged to give feedback and suggestions to Management to further improve corporate and operational performance, promoting employee accountability and empowerment.


Click the following links to view metrics related to employee welfare:

Training Metrics

Health and Safety Metrics





Click link to Revised Manual of Corporate Governance for more details.


Back to Top  

H. SUBSIDIARIES

As one of Meralco's five strategic business pillars, the subsidiaries contribute significantly in boosting shareholder value.

The Subsidiary Management Policy continues to serve as the guidebook in creating and managing subsidiaries based on the criteria and principles embodied in the Revised Manual of Corporate Governance, Code of Ethics, and existing laws, rules and regulations.

In 2011, Meralco continued to strengthen the good governance practice of its subsidiaries by strongly advocating the need for each subsidiary to adopt its own Manual of Corporate Governance. Specifically, the subsidiaries were provided with a template based on the requirements stipulated in the SEC Revised Code of Corporate Governance and the Revised Manual of Corporate Governance to assist each subsidiary in developing and adopting its own manual.


Back to Top  

I. OTHER STAKEHOLDERS

Meralco seriously considers the impact of business decisions on the interests of its shareholders and other stakeholders. The Declaration of Corporate Principle of the Company's Revised Manual of Corporate Governance specifically mentions:"The Company…uphold(s) an ethical culture that will protect and promote the best interest of the Company for the common benefit of the Company's stockholders and other stakeholders. " The Company also protects and maintains good relations with its suppliers and creditors based on mutual respect and benefit. The Company strives to foster long-term stability, direct and open relation, and continuous development with suppliers to attain quality, competitiveness, process efficiency and performance reliability; foster governance principles in all of its business dealings with them; and seek, encourage and prefer suppliers whose business practices respect human dignity and the environment.