Lucio Tan Jr. takes over as PAL Holdings president

PAL Holdings Inc. (PHI), the parent of Philippine Airlines Inc. (PAL), on Tuesday revealed key changes in the company’s leadership structure.

In separate regulatory filings submitted by corporate secretary Ma. Cecilia Pesayco, PAL noted the resignation of Gilbert Gabriel Santa Maria as PHI president for “personal reasons” effective October 28, 2019.

He will be replaced by Lucio “Bong” Tan Jr., as approved by the board of directors of PHI, along with the appointment of other key officials of the company.

Santa Maria in July took over from Vivienne Tan daughter of Lucio Tan Sr. and sister of Bong.

Also effective October 28, Joseph Chua was appointed as director and member of the Corporate Governance Committee (CGC). Johnip Cua was also appointed CGC member.

In a separate statement, the operating company Philippine Airlines Inc. clarified that Santa Maria remains as president and chief operating officer.

During the monthly board meeting on October 28, Santa Maria presented his 90-day report on PAL and his turnaround plan for the airline to be implemented in 2020.

“His presentation was well-received by members of the PAL board and PAL chairman Lucio Tan,” according to PAL Inc. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News