Manulife Philippines picks first female president/CEO

MANILA, Philippines — Manulife Philippines, the local arm of international financial services provider Manulife, has named Amy Gochuico as its new president and CEO, making her the first woman to lead the company in its nearly 120-year history in the country.

The insurance firm said Gochuico’s appointment took effect on Nov. 3, succeeding Rahul Hora, who assumed the role in 2022.

Gochuico brings 30 years of insurance and leadership experience across Asia, with expertise in distribution and bancassurance.

Prior to her appointment, she served as president and CEO of Manulife China Bank Life Assurance Corp. for two years, where she focused on expanding the business, strengthening distribution and developing leadership capabilities.

During her tenure, she strengthened Manulife’s partnership with China Bank, culminating in the 15-year renewal of the companies’ bancassurance partnership.

Gochuico also served as chief bancassurance officer for Manulife Indonesia, where she led the sustainable growth of the company’s bancassurance business and supported its long-term partnerships with Bank Danamon and DBS Indonesia.

She held senior leadership roles in multinational insurance organizations across several Asian markets before joining Manulife in 2021.

“We have an enduring franchise, talented people, trusted partnerships and strong momentum across our business,” Gochuico said.

“As we approach our 120th year in the Philippines, our focus is on bringing greater clarity, executing with discipline, moving faster and working together to create meaningful outcomes for our customers. We have a strong foundation and I’m excited for what we can achieve in the years ahead,” she added.

Manulife said Gochuico will be responsible for the company’s overall strategy and operations, with a focus on strengthening distribution capabilities, deepening relationships with customers and partners and continuing to build a high-performing organization.

“Amy is an accomplished insurance leader with a proven ability to grow businesses, strengthen strategic partnerships and develop high-performing teams,” Steve Finch, president and CEO of Manulife Asia said.

Finch cited Gochuico’s extensive experience across Asia, expertise in distribution and strong track record with Manulife’s Philippine business as key reasons she is the “right leader” for the company’s next chapter.

“I am confident that, together with our colleagues, she will accelerate our growth and position the company for continued success,” he said.

Manulife Philippines’ net income slipped by 10.3 percent to P1.97 billion last year from P2.19 billion in 2024, according to the latest Insurance Commission data. Its premium income likewise inched down by 9.3 percent to P14.39 billion in 2025 from P15.86 billion in 2024.