MGEN reshuffles leadership for energy transition

Meralco PowerGen Corp. is putting outgoing MGEN Thermal chief Felino M. Bernardo in charge of strategic energy transition projects, including Atimonan One Energy, the Toledo expansion, LNG, indigenous gas and nuclear studies, as the company balances baseload reliability with long-term diversification.

MGEN said Arnel L. Santos will become president and chief executive officer of MGEN Thermal Energy Inc. effective July 1, 2026.

Santos succeeds Bernardo, whose leadership, the company said, strengthened MGEN Thermal’s operational foundation and reinforced its role as a reliable and significant contributor to the broader MGEN portfolio.

The appointment comes as the Securities and Exchange Commission approved the corporate name change of Global Business Power Corp. to MGEN Thermal Energy Inc.

MGEN said the new name marks a significant milestone in the company’s evolution and reinforces the unit’s alignment with the broader MGEN portfolio.

The renamed company will serve as MGEN’s dedicated thermal power generation platform.

The rebrand also carries significance in the Visayas power market, where Global Business Power has long been a major independent power producer with operations in the Visayas, Mindanao and Mindoro islands and a total gross capacity of 1,091 megawatts, according to the company’s profile.

Santos brings more than three decades of leadership experience across the global energy, refining, petrochemicals and industrial technology sectors.

MGEN said Santos has a strong track record in improving asset performance, strengthening safety culture and driving operational excellence in complex, capital-intensive environments.

Before his appointment, Santos served as senior vice president and chief operating officer of MGEN Thermal.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, cum laude, from the University of the Philippines.

MGEN also named Sam Manlosa as chief operating officer of MGEN Thermal Energy Inc., also effective July 1, 2026.

Together, Santos and Manlosa will lead MGEN Thermal’s next phase of growth and transformation.

The company said their focus will be operational excellence, asset reliability and the adoption of best-in-class thermal power generation practices.

Bernardo, meanwhile, will assume the role of head of strategic energy transition at MGEN under a two-year engagement from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028.

MGEN said Bernardo will help advance the company’s long-term growth and transition agenda across the broader portfolio.

In his new role, Bernardo will lead the strategic development and management of MGEN’s power generation project pipeline.

His mandate includes project identification, feasibility studies, execution strategies and growth initiatives.

MGEN said key developments under Bernardo’s scope include Atimonan One Energy, the Toledo expansion project and other strategic initiatives aligned with the company’s long-term energy ambitions.

Bernardo will oversee projects across the full lifecycle, from development and construction to commissioning and operational handover.

He will also drive stakeholder coordination that the company said is critical to successful project delivery.

Bernardo will lead nuclear energy development studies.

He will also serve as strategic adviser on LNG and indigenous gas initiatives.

MGEN said Bernardo will help strengthen organizational capability by mentoring future leaders within the project development and execution function.

The company said the mentoring role is intended 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.

The leadership changes come as MGEN expands across thermal, liquefied natural gas, solar and battery energy storage while also exploring nuclear energy.

In February 2026, MGEN said it would conduct a small modular reactor adoption study through a USD 2.8 million, or PHP 162 million, technical assistance grant from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

MGEN is the power generation arm of Manila Electric Co. and operates through key subsidiaries MGEN Thermal Energy Inc., MGEN Renewable Energy Inc. and MGEN Gas Energy Holdings Inc.

The company also holds stakes in PacificLight Power, an LNG facility in Singapore, and SP New Energy Corp.

MGEN has a 40.2% interest in an integrated LNG facility in Batangas, according to its company profile.

As of May 2026, MGEN’s portfolio represented a combined net saleable capacity of 5,069.7 MW from traditional and renewable sources.

The company also had battery energy storage systems with a capacity of 56.4 megawatt-hours.

MGEN said its mission is “powering a better tomorrow.”

The company said it anchors its efforts on addressing the energy trilemma of security, affordability and sustainability.

MGEN said it aims to lead the Philippines’ transition to a secure, affordable and sustainable energy future while fueling economic growth by meeting the region’s energy requirements.