Lance Gokongwei returns to Robinsons Retail’s board

MANILA, Philippines — Tycoon Lance Gokongwei has returned to the board of Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (RRHI) after stepping down as chairman and director at the start of the year.

RRHI said that its board of directors, in a meeting last Friday, elected Gokongwei as member of the board effective immediately.

Gokongwei filled one of the seats of the board of directors made vacant by the resignation of Scott Price and Curtis Liu effective on May 30.

He was also appointed as chairman of RRHI’s remuneration, nomination and succession planning committee.

Gokongwei stepped down as chairman and director of RRHI to assume the role of board adviser of the company effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Gokongwei is the chairman of Cebu Air Inc., Robinsons Land Corp. and Universal Robina Corp., vice chairman of Manila Electric Co. and president and CEO JG Summit Holdings Inc.

RRHI said the company’s vice president for corporate planning, investor relations officer and head of sustainability Gina Dipaling will officially step down from her role by the end of the month after reaching the company’s mandatory retirement age last February.

The company said Dipaling would continue to serve as adviser for corporate planning effective Aug. 1 to support a smooth transition.

Appointed to take over Dipaling’s positions was Angelo Antonio Torres, who joined RRHI in September 2022.

As assistant vice president for corporate planning and investor relations, Torres played key roles in strategic planning, investor relations as well as merger and acquisition initiatives.

RRHI also appointed Janz Hanna Ria Serrano as the firm’s new corporate secretary, replacing Gilbert Millado Jr., who will continue his role as general counsel and compliance officer of the listed firm.

RRHI is one of the country’s largest multi-format retailers, with an expansive network of food stores, drugstores, department stores, DIY stores and specialty stores.