WINNING | Aboitiz puts people at heart of business growth

Insider Spotlight

• Aboitiz prioritizes people-centered leadership to strengthen stakeholder trust and long-term business resilience
• AEV and UnionBank earn four Golden Arrows each, while AboitizPower receives three
• Transparency, accountability, and responsible decision-making remain central to the Group’s growth strategy
  
  
  
  

Building stronger businesses begins with earning the trust of the people they serve, a principle guiding Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV) as it strengthens governance practices across its diversified operations.

The big picture

This commitment earned AEV four Golden Arrows at the 2026 Golden Arrow Awards organized by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD). Fellow Aboitiz Group companies Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) and Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower) received four and three Golden Arrows, respectively.

Why it matters

For a conglomerate operating across power, banking, food and beverages, infrastructure, and real estate, effective governance helps protect shareholder interests, manage business risks, and reinforce confidence among investors, customers, and communities.

Transparency, accountability, and stakeholder protection remain central to AEV’s business decisions, reflecting its commitment to responsible leadership that extends beyond formal policies and regulatory compliance, the company said in an Oct. 26 release.

Leadership perspective

AEV president and chief executive officer Sabin M. Aboitiz said putting people first remains fundamental to the Group’s governance philosophy.

"For us at Aboitiz, good governance always starts with putting people first. It means listening to all our stakeholders, understanding their needs, and making decisions that consider their interests. Strong governance is not about what we write in our policies. It's about the decisions we make and how we conduct ourselves every day," Aboitiz said.

Behind the recognition

The Golden Arrow Awards evaluate publicly listed companies through the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard, assessing shareholder rights, corporate disclosures, risk management, and board oversight.

The 2026 awards reflect the 2025 assessment covering 2024 operations, incorporating greater emphasis on sustainability, business resilience, and shareholder protection.

The bigger message

 ICD executive director Mardi Mapa-Suplido stressed that sound governance delivers benefits beyond compliance.

"Good governance is not just about compliance. It is about creating value," Mapa-Suplido said.

Looking ahead

AEV aims to reinforce governance standards across its businesses, recognizing that sustained transparency, responsible leadership, and stakeholder engagement are essential to building resilient enterprises and supporting long-term growth. —Princess Daisy C. Ominga | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma