PLDT tops in 4 out of 9 categories in Finance Asia survey

MANILA, Philippines -  Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) topped four of the nine corporate titles in a survey undertaken by Finance Asia, a leading regional financial publication.

PLDT led the survey categories – based on a poll of 300 leading investors and analysts across the region – of the best managed company, best corporate governance, best investor relations, and the most committed to a strong dividend policy.

The Manuel V. Pangilinan-led PLDT is a member of the Metro Pacific Group of Companies and is the leading telecommunications firm in the country.

In the best corporate social responsibility category, the survey was topped by Ayala Corp.

Respondents of the survey voted the Ayala-led Manila Water Corp. as the best medium capitalized company.

Erramon Aboitiz of Aboitiz Power was voted as best chief executive officer, followed by Enrique Razon Jr. of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) and Napoleon Nazareno of PLDT.

The 300 respondents likewise named Iker Aboitiz, also of Aboitiz Power, as the best chief finance officer, followed by Jose Sio of SM Investments.

The eight other corporations named by the survey respondents under the best managed corporation category were: Aboitiz Power, Ayala Corp., Globe Telecom, Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV), ICTSI, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Megaworld Corp. and Jolibee Foods Corp.

Aside from PLDT, the other companies ranked among the firms with the best investor relations were Ayala Corp., Aboitiz Power, Globe Telecom, San Miguel Corp., the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank), AEV, ICTSI, Ayala Land Corp., Megaworld and Jolibee.

In Thailand, PTT topped the best-managed company category, followed by Siam Cement, PTTEP and Siam Commercial Bank. The best CEO was Prasert Boonsampan of PTT while Tevin Vongvanich, also of PTT, was the best CFO.

It is the 11th annual poll of the financial publication, which covers most of the region. When the regional tallies are completed, FinanceAsia will announce the top companies and individuals in the region.