Corporate Governance
Compliance with Leading Practices
on Corporate Governance
In 2002, the Company adopted a Manual on Corporate Governance in order to institutionalize the principles of good corporate governance in the entire organization. Pursuant to the Company’s Manual on Corporate Governance, the Company’s Board of Directors created each of the following committees and appointed board members thereto.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee assists the Board in the performance of its oversight responsibility for the financial reporting process, system of internal control, audit process and monitoring of compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, provides oversight over financial management functions, reviews internal audit plans, reports submitted by internal and external auditors and the financial statements of the Company. The Audit Committee has three members, two of whom are independent directors. An independent director serves as the head of the committee.
Compensation and Remuneration Committee
The Compensation and Remuneration Committee is responsible for establishing a formal and transparent procedure for developing a policy on remuneration of the directors and officers to ensure that their compensation is consistent with the Company’s culture, strategy and the business environment in which it operates. The Compensation and Remuneration Committee consists of three members, including at least one independent director.
Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee reviews and evaluates the qualifications of all persons nominated to the Board and other appointments that require Board approval. The Nomination Committee has three members, including at least one independent director.
In 2005, the Company engaged the services of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) to facilitate a Corporate Governance Training/Seminar for its Board of Directors and executives. The Training/Seminar included a discussion on the Main Principles of Corporate Governance contained in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) and the Philippine SEC Corporate Governance Code, Responsible Citizenship and Corporate Social Responsibility, Finance in the Corporate Governance Setting and Best Practices of Corporate Governance. In 2004, the Company designated a new engagement partner of Punongbayan and Araullo for the audit of its financial statements beginning the year ending December 31, 2004 in compliance with its Manual on Corporate Governance requirement that the Company rotate its external auditor or change the handling partner every five (5) years or earlier. In 2004, Ms. Dalisay B. Duque has been designated as the new signing partner for the audit of the Company’s financial statements as of 31 December 2009. During the same year, the Company increased the number of independent directors in its Audit Committee, from one independent director to two (2) independent directors, and appointed an independent director to head the Audit Committee, in accordance with SEC Memorandum Circular No. 6.
Evaluation System
The Company has designated a Compliance Officer who is tasked with monitoring compliance with the provisions and requirements of its Manual on Corporate Governance. The Compliance Officer has established an evaluation system to measure or determine the level of compliance by the Company with its Manual.
Deviations from Manual and Sanctions Imposed
In 2010, the Company substantially complied with its Manual on Corporate Governance and did not materially deviate from its provisions.
No sanctions were imposed on any director, officer or employee on account of non-compliance with the Company’s Manual on Corporate Governance.
Plan to Improve Corporate Governance
Pursuant to SEC Memorandum Circular No. 6, Series of 2009, the Company revised its Manual of Corporate Governance to make the same compliant with the Revised Code of Corporate Governance.