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The Board of Directors is composed of:
Manuel M. Lopez, 70
Director (since April 14, 1986 - 26 yrs1.)
Chairman and CEO (from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2010)
Chairman (from July 1, 2010 to May 28, 2012)
Mr. Lopez is the Philippine Ambassador to Japan. He is concurrently the Chairman and CEO of Lopez Holdings Corporation2 and
is the Chairman of Indra Philippines, Inc., Bayan Telecommunications, Inc., Bayan Telecommunications Holdings Corporation,
Rockwell Land Corporation2 and Rockwell Leisure Club. He is the Vice Chairman of First Philippine Holdings Corporation2
and a member of the Board of Directors of ABS-CBN Corporation2, ABS-CBN Holdings Corporation2, Sky Cable Corporation and First
Philippine Realty Corporation. He is also the President of Eugenio Lopez Foundation, Inc.
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1 Up to December 31, 2012
2 Publicly-listed Companies
3 Independent Director
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Manuel V. Pangilinan, 66
Director (since May 26, 2009 – 3 yrs1.)
President and CEO (July 1, 2010 to May 28, 2012)
Chairman (since May 29, 2012)
Mr. Pangilinan is the Chairman of Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company2, Smart
Communications, Inc., Metro Pacific Investments Corporation2, PLDT Communications and Energy Ventures Inc. (formerly Piltel), Landco Pacific
Corporation; Medical Doctors, Inc. and Colinas Verdes Corporation (operating Makati Medical Center and Cardinal Santos Medical Center,
respectively), Davao Doctors Inc., Riverside Medical Center, Inc. in Bacolod City, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Asian Hospital,
Inc., Maynilad Water Services Corporation, Mediaquest, Inc., Associated Broadcasting Corporation (TV5), Philex Mining Corporation2
and Manila North Tollways Corporation. He is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of First Pacific Company Limited,
a publicly-listed company in Hong Kong and Co-Chairman of the newly-organized US-Philippines Business Society. He was a member of
the Board of Overseers of The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of
San Beda College and was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ateneo de Manila University. Mr. Pangilinan holds a Bachelor
of Arts degree, cum laude, in Economics from the Ateneo de Manila University and a Masters in Business Administration
from Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, University of Pennsylvania, where he was a Procter & Gamble Fellow.
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1 Up to December 31, 2012
2 Publicly-listed Companies
3 Independent Director
|
Oscar S. Reyes, 66
Director,(since July 1, 2010 - 2 yrs1.)
Chief Operating Officer (July 1, 2010 to May 28, 2012)
President and Chief Executive Officer (since May 29, 2012)
Mr. Reyes is a member of the Advisory Board of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company2 and of the Board of Directors
of the Bank of the Philippine Islands2, Manila Water Company, Inc.2, Ayala Land, Inc.2, Smart
Communications, Inc., Pepsi Cola Products Philippines, Inc.2, Sun Life Financial Phils, Inc., Basic Energy Corporation2
and Alcorn Gold Resources Corporation2, among other firms. He is also President of Meralco PowerGen Corporation and
Chairman of Meralco Industrial Engineering Services Corporation (MIESCOR), CIS Bayad Center, Meralco Energy, Inc. (MEI),
Redondo Peninsula Energy, Inc. and Link Edge, Inc. He served as Country Chairman of the Shell Companies in the Philippines and
concurrently President of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation and Managing Director of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V.
He is a member of the Board of Trustees of One Meralco Foundation, Inc., Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., SGV Foundation, Inc.
and El Nido Foundation, Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, in Economics from the Ateneo de Manila University
and finished post-graduate studies at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business Administration, Waterloo Lutheran University and
the Harvard Business School.
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1 Up to December 31, 2012
2 Publicly-listed Companies
3 Independent Director
|
Ramon S. Ang, 58
Director and Vice Chairman (since February 1, 2009 – 3 yrs1.)
Mr. Ang is the Vice Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer of San Miguel Corporation2. He is the Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Petron Corporation2, Petron Marketing Corporation and SMC Global Power Holdings
Corporation. He is the President and Chief Operating Officer of PAL Holdings, Inc.2 and Philippine Airlines, Inc.
He is the Vice Chairman of Ginebra San Miguel, Inc.2, San Miguel Pure Foods Company, Inc.2 and San Miguel Yamamura
Haiphong Glass Co. Limited (Vietnam) and a Director of Air Philippines Corporation. He is the Chairman and President
of San Miguel Properties, Inc., San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation, San Miguel Electric Corporation,
San Miguel Energy Corporation, SMC Consolidated Power Corporation, SMC Power Generation Corporation, SMC PowerGen Inc.
and Cyber Bay Corporation2. He is the Chairman of San Miguel Brewery, Inc.2 and Liberty Telecoms Holdings Inc.2
and a Director of Philweb Corporation2. Mr. Ang is a Director of other subsidiaries and affiliates of the San Miguel
Group of Companies in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering
from Far Eastern University.
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1 Up to December 31, 2012
2 Publicly-listed Companies
3 Independent Director
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Ray C. Espinosa, 56
Director (since May 26, 2009 - 3 yrs1)
Atty. Espinosa is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mediaquest Holdings, Inc., ABC Development Corporation (TV5),
Mediascape, Inc. (Cignal TV), Nation Broadcasting Corporation, and other subsidiaries of Mediaquest Holdings Inc. He is a
member of the Board of Directors of Meralco PowerGen Corporation, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., Philippine Long
Distance Telephone Company2, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation2, Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corporation
2/3 and Wolfpac Mobile, Inc.; and Vice Chairman of Philweb Corporation2. Atty. Espinosa holds a Bachelor of
Laws degree, salutatorian, from the Ateneo de Manila University and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Michigan Law School
as a Clyde Alton Dewitt Fellow. He placed first in the Philippine Bar examinations in 1982.
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1 Up to December 31, 2012
2 Publicly-listed Companies
3 Independent Director
|
Estelito P. Mendoza, 83
Director (since February 1, 2009- 3 yrs1)
Atty. Mendoza is the Managing Partner of Estelito P. Mendoza and Associates. He is a member of the Board of Directors of San
Miguel Corporation2, Petron Corporation2, Philippine National Bank2 and Philippine Airlines, Inc.
A practicing lawyer for more than 60 years, he was consistently listed as a "Leading Individual in Dispute Resolution"
among lawyers in the Philippines in the following directories/journals: "The Asia Pacific Legal 500", "Chambers of Asia" and "Which Lawyer?"
yearbooks for several years. He has also been a Professorial Lecturer of law at the University of the Philippines and
served as Solicitor General, Minister of Justice, Member of the Batasang Pambansa and Provincial Governor of Pampanga.
He was also the Chairman of the Sixth (Legal) Committee, 31st Session of the UN General Assembly and the Special
Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization. He holds a Bachelor
of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines and Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School.
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1 Up to December 31, 2012
2 Publicly-listed Companies
3 Independent Director
|
Jose Ma. K. Lim, 60
Director (since May 29, 2012 - 6 mo.1)
Mr. Lim is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation2. He is the Chairman of
Davao Doctors Hospital and Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City. He is a member of the Board of Directors of of Meralco
PowerGen Corporation, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, Manila North Tollways
Corporation, Tollways Management Corporation, Maynilad Water Services, Inc., Medical Doctors, Inc., Cardinal Santos
Medical Center, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and Asian Hospital. He is a Founding Member and Treasurer of the Shareholders
Association of the Philippines. Mr. Lim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the Ateneo de Manila University
and a Masters in Business Administration from the Asian Institute of Management.
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1 Up to December 31, 2012
2 Publicly-listed Companies
3 Independent Director
|
Artemio V. Panganiban, 76
Independent Director (since May 27, 2009 - 3 yrs1)
Justice Panganiban was a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He was a Chairperson of the Presidential
Electoral Tribunal, Judicial and Bar Council and Philippine Judicial Academy. He is an Independent Director of Petron Corporation
2/3, Bank of the Philippine Islands2/3, First Philippine Holdings Corporation2/3, Metro Pacific
Investments Corporation2/3; Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, Robinsons Land Corporation2/3, GMA Network,
Inc.2/3,GMA Holdings, Inc. 2/3 and Asian Terminals, Inc.2/3; and Independent Adviser of
Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company. He is a Director of Jollibee Foods Corporation2, a Senior Adviser of
Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company, Chairman of the Board of Advisers of Metrobank Foundation and a columnist for the Philippine
Daily Inquirer. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree, cum laude, from the Far Eastern University and was awarded the degree of Doctor
of Laws (Honoris Causa) by the University of Iloilo, Far Eastern University, University of Cebu, Angeles University and Bulacan
State University. He placed sixth in the Philippine Bar Examinations in 1960.
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1 Up to December 31, 2012
2 Publicly-listed Companies
3 Independent Director
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Vicente L. Panlilio, 66
Independent Director (from May 27, 2008 to May 25, 2010)
Director (since June 28, 2010 - 2 yrs1)
Mr. Panlilio is a member of the Board of Directors of San Fernando Electric Light and Power Company and Bank of Commerce. He
was a Director of the Philippine Stock Exchange, the Philippine Dealing Exchange Corporation, Equitable PCIBank and the Philippine
National Bank. He was also Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Advisory Board of Far East Bank and Trust Company.
Mr. Panlilio holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and attended the Advanced
Bank Management Program of the Asian Institute of Management.
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1 Up to December 31, 2012
2 Publicly-listed Companies
3 Independent Director
|
Pedro E. Roxas, 56
Independent Director (since May 25, 2010 - 2 yrs1)
Mr. Roxas is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Roxas and Company, Inc.2; Chairman and President
of Roxaco Land Corporation; Chairman of Roxas Holdings, Inc.2, Central Azucarera Don Pedro, Inc., Central Azucarera de
la Carlota, Inc., Roxol Bioenergy Corporation, Club Punta Fuego, Inc. and Fuego Land Corporation. He is a member of Board of
Directors of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company2/3, BDO Private Bank and Brightnote Assets Corporation.
Mr. Roxas holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, USA.
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1 Up to December 31, 2012
2 Publicly-listed Companies
3 Independent Director
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Eric O. Recto, 49
Director (since June 28, 2010 -2 yrs1)
Mr. Recto is the Chairman of Philippine Bank of Communications2; President of Petron Corporation2; Vice
Chairman of Alphaland Corporation2 Atok-Big Wedge Co., Inc.2 and Philweb Corporation2.
He is a member of the Board of Directors of San Miguel Corporation2; and President and Director of Top Frontier
Investment Holdings, Inc., ISM Communications Corporation2 and Q-Tech Alliance Holdings, Inc. Mr. Recto holds
a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of the Philippines and a Masters in Business
Administration from Cornell University, Johnson Graduate School of Management, Ithaca, New York, USA.
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1 Up to December 31, 2012
2 Publicly-listed Companies
3 Independent Director
|
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 |
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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:
- Executive Committee;
- Nomination and Governance Committee;
- Audit and Risk Management Committee;
- Remuneration and Leadership Development Committee; and
- Finance Committee.
All committees have approved charters defining and specifying the scope of their responsibilities.
-
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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
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.
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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.
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.
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Finance Committee (FinCom) – It reviews the financial operations of the Company and matters regarding acquisition
of or investments in companies, businesses or projects.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 link to Revised Manual of Corporate Governance for more details.
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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.
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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.