Former transportation secretary and Philippine Airlines president Jaime J. Bautista was elected independent director on Aug. 13, bringing decades of aviation, finance and government experience to the SMC, led by chair and CEO Ramon S. Ang.
Airport expertise
His expertise comes at a crucial time for San Miguel, which operates Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the country's busiest gateway, and is building the massive New Manila International Airport in Bulacan.
Bautista served as transportation secretary from 2022 to 2025, putting him at the center of government efforts to modernize the country’s airports, railways and other transport infrastructure.
Before entering government, the certified public accountant spent much of his career with the taipan Lucio Tan group and had two stints as president and chief operating officer of Philippine Airlines (PAL).
Growing SMC role
Bautista is already familiar with the San Miguel group, having joined the board of San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. and Eagle Cement Corp.
He's also an independent director at the Philippine Stock Exchange and has also held board or trustee positions at companies and institutions including Cosco Capital Inc., Philippine Bank of Communications, Alphaland Corp., MacroAsia Group and the University of the East/UERM Memorial Medical Center.
—Edited by Miguel R. Camus
