PLDT’s New Head Honcho Announced in Al Panlilio as MVP Steps Down

Prominent Filipino business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan has formally stepped down as president and CEO of one of the country’s leading telcos PLDT Inc., handing leadership over to Al Panlilio.

Al Panlilio is PLDT’s chief revenue officer and Smart’s president and CEO. The exchange took place on Tuesday, during the company’s annual stockholders meeting.

“This decision is made less difficult by the knowledge that Al, with his long experience with PLDT and his competent qualities, would be able to take my place forthwith without interruption or detriment to the progress PLDT has made,” expressed MVP.

“I must confess, I have big shoes to fill as you have set the bar so high and I am honored to follow the most remarkable leader,” responded Panlilio. “Your leadership made PLDT what it is today.”

The newest PLDT chief has also identified three key facets that the telco giant should strive to improve, namely: efficient operations, continual innovation, and improved customer experience.

“If there is one area that we should be world-class in, it should be customer experience,” affirmed Panlilio. “There’s a lot of work to be done and customer experience is a big word but it’s something that should be ingrained in every employee of PLDT-Smart,” he added.

During the first quarter of the year, PLDT posted “pretty good” results observing a 9% growth year-on-year on the firm’s core income. MVP had already been alluding to his step down since March, but he remains as chairman of the PLDT board.

On Tuesday, PLDT’s stocks in the PSE finished weaker at ₱1,314 or a 0.68% decline from the previous day.

Source: CNN PH