Pasig City, Philippines – 15 June 2026 — Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN) announces today the appointment of Mr. Arnel L. Santos as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MGEN Thermal Energy, Inc., effective 1 July 2026.
The appointment coincides with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s approval of the corporate name change of Global Business Power Corporation (GBP) to MGEN Thermal Energy, Inc. – marking a significant milestone in the company’s evolution. The new name reinforces its strategic alignment within the broader MGEN portfolio and reflects its role as MGEN’s dedicated thermal power generation platform.
Mr. Santos succeeds Mr. Felino “Lino” Bernardo, whose leadership strengthened MGEN Thermal’s operational foundation and reinforced its role as a reliable and significant contributor to the broader MGEN portfolio. Mr. Santos brings more than three decades of leadership experience across the global energy, refining, petrochemicals, and industrial technology sectors, with a strong track record in improving asset performance, strengthening safety culture, and driving operational excellence in complex, capital-intensive environments.
Prior to his appointment, Mr. Santos served as SVP – Chief Operating Officer of MGEN Thermal. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, cum laude, from the University of the Philippines.
As part of the leadership transition, MGEN also named Mr. Sam Manlosa as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of MGEN Thermal Energy, Inc., effective 1 July 2026. Together with Mr. Santos, Mr. Manlosa will help lead MGEN Thermal’s next phase of growth and transformation focusing on operational excellence, asset reliability, and the adoption of best-in-class thermal power generation practices.
Leadership Expansion Across the MGEN Portfolio
Complementing these leadership changes, outgoing MGEN Thermal President and CEO Felino M. Bernardo will assume the role of Head of Strategic Energy Transition at MGEN under a two-year engagement from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2028, where he will help advance the company’s long-term growth and transition agenda across the broader portfolio.
In this role, Mr. Bernardo will lead the strategic development and management of MGEN’s power generation project pipeline, including project identification, feasibility studies, execution strategies, and growth initiatives across key developments such as Atimonan One Energy, expansion project in Toledo, and other strategic initiatives aligned with MGEN’s long-term energy ambitions.
Mr. Bernardo will oversee projects across the full lifecycle from development and construction through commissioning and operational handover, while driving stakeholder coordination critical to successful project delivery. He will also lead nuclear energy development studies, serve as strategic adviser on LNG and indigenous gas initiatives, and help strengthen organizational capability by mentoring future leaders within the Project Development and Execution function to support leadership continuity and long-term organizational readiness.
“This leadership transition positions us strongly for both today’s operational priorities and tomorrow’s growth opportunities. Arnel will lead MGEN Thermal with a focus on reliability, operational excellence, and sustainable performance, while Lino’s expanded mandate at MGEN enables us to accelerate strategic initiatives that will shape the future of our portfolio and the country’s energy sector,” said Emmanuel V. Rubio, MGEN President and CEO.