2 weeks Ago By Lance Spencer Yu
MANILA, Philippines – As tycoon Manuel Pangilinan continues with his search for PLDT’s new chief executive officer, it seems he’s at least settled on his No. 2 boss. Menardo “Butch” Jimenez Jr.
has been appointed as PLDT’s executive vice president and chief operating officer effective Tuesday, September 17, based on a stock market disclosure on the same day. Jimenez has spent decades working at the telco giant, previously serving as its senior vice president and network head. He’s also served in leadership roles in departments across the company – from consumer business and business transformation to human resources and retail business.
He joined the company in 2001 as head of media communications and public affairs. Butch Jimenez is the son of Menardo Jimenez Sr., one of the three people considered to have founded media giant GMA Network.
The appointment of Jimenez to the company’s second highest rank could be a strong sign that Pangilinan is considering him to be a successor. No one else in PLDT currently holds the title of executive vice president, based on PLDT’s website page on company leadership. Alfred Panlilio , PLDT’s former CEO, also held the title of executive vice president before Pangilinan passed the baton to him in 2021.
But when Panlilio resigned in late 2023 due to health reasons, Pangilinan had to step back up as the telco’s president and CEO. The 77-year-old tycoon doesn’t intend to keep that spot for too long though, as he’s actively looking for his successor. (READ: Wanted: Manny Pangilinan’s replacement ) Some weeks back, Pangilinan said that the search continues.
“It’s still ongoing,” he said during a press briefing on August 13. “At some point, we have to find someone, right? This is a very complication business, and we have to find the right person.” Pangilinan is also “most likely” considering someone younger to lead the company, saying that “it’s very clear that the aspect of age and outlook are very important for the group taken as a whole.
” He’s also willing to “cast his net wider” and consider hiring a CEO from the outside, although he conceded that “the priority is to look at the internal talents.” Could Jimenez be Pangilinan’s long-awaited successor? – Rappler.com.
