MGEN appoints new leaders to boost future energy projects

Pasig City, Philippines — Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN) announced new senior leadership changes to strengthen its thermal power business and support its future energy projects.

New leaders for MGEN Thermal

Effective July 1, 2026, Mr. Arnel L. Santos will be the new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MGEN Thermal Energy, Inc. This change comes after the Securities and Exchange Commission approved the name change of Global Business Power Corporation (GBP) to MGEN Thermal Energy, Inc.

The new name shows how the company now fits better under MGEN and highlights its role as MGEN’s main platform for thermal power generation.

Mr. Santos will replace Mr. Felino “Lino” Bernardo. Mr. Bernardo helped build a strong base for MGEN Thermal and made it a reliable part of the MGEN group.

Mr. Santos has over 30 years of experience in global energy, oil refining, petrochemicals, and industrial technology. He is known for improving plant performance, building a strong safety culture, and running complex, big-ticket projects well. Before this, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of MGEN Thermal. He graduated cum laude with a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of the Philippines.

Mr. Sam Manlosa will also take on a new role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of MGEN Thermal Energy, Inc., starting 1 July 2026. Together, Mr. Santos and Mr. Manlosa will lead the company’s next phase. Their focus: better operations, more reliable power plants, and using top practices in thermal power generation.

Leadership changes across MGEN

To support MGEN’s bigger energy plans, Mr. Bernardo will take a new role as Head of Strategic Energy Transition for MGEN. His two-year term runs from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2028.

In this role, he will lead MGEN’s long-term growth and shift to cleaner energy. He will manage the company’s power project pipeline from start to finish. This includes finding new projects, studying feasibility, planning execution, and growing key projects like Atimonan One Energy and the expansion in Toledo, Cebu, plus other projects aligned with MGEN’s goals.

Mr. Bernardo will also oversee projects from development and construction to commissioning and handover. He will coordinate with partners to make sure projects are delivered well. He will lead studies on nuclear energy, advise on LNG and local gas projects, and mentor future leaders in project development to ensure the company has strong leaders for the long term.

Looking ahead

“This leadership change prepares us for today’s operations and tomorrow’s growth,” said Emmanuel V. Rubio, MGEN President and CEO. “Arnel will lead MGEN Thermal with a focus on reliability, excellent operations, and sustainable performance. Lino’s new role at MGEN will help us speed up strategic projects that will shape our portfolio and the country’s energy future.”