APRIL 22, 2026 — Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (JAZA) has officially stepped down as Globe Telecom’s chairman after 37 years of service, marking the end of a transformative era in Philippine telecommunications. His successor, Ayala Corp. President and CEO Cezar P. Consing, now takes the helm of Globe, inheriting a legacy that reshaped connectivity, digital finance, and sustainability in the country.

JAZA’s leadership was nothing short of revolutionary. Starting as a director in 1989 and chairman in 1996, he spearheaded the Globe-Mackay merger with Clavecilla Radio Corp., forged a strategic partnership with Singtel, and expanded Globe’s reach through acquisitions of IslaCom, Bayantel, and Vega Telecom. 

These moves positioned Globe as the country’s first digital telco and eventually the leading mobile network operator.

Under his watch, Globe invested heavily in network and IT modernization, ushering in the age of data and transforming mobile services from an elite privilege into a mass-market necessity. This democratization of connectivity changed how Filipinos communicated, worked, and lived.

Perhaps JAZA’s most enduring contribution to everyday Filipinos is GCash, now the country’s largest digital finance ecosystem. What started as a mobile payment service has grown into a super-app used by millions for bills, remittances, and online shopping. During the pandemic, GCash became a lifeline for cashless transactions, cementing Globe’s role in shaping the Filipino digital lifestyle.

Beyond telco services, JAZA pushed Globe into venture capital and tech-driven initiatives through Kickstart Ventures and 917Ventures, while also expanding into data centers and adjacent platforms like Asticom and Brave Group. 

These ventures positioned Globe not just as a telco, but as a technology ecosystem builder.

JAZA was also a staunch advocate of sustainability, making Globe the first publicly listed Philippine company to have its net-zero roadmap validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Globe now holds the highest ESG rating among local telcos, proving that profitability and responsibility can go hand in hand.

For the public, JAZA’s departure is not just a corporate headline — it’s the closing of a chapter that defined how Filipinos connect, pay, and live digitally. His vision turned Globe into a household name, and his push for sustainability set a benchmark for corporate responsibility. 

With Cezar Consing stepping in, we will be watching closely to see if Globe continues to lead in data innovation, fintech, and climate action.

Do you think Globe, under new leadership, will continue to shape the Filipino digital future as boldly as JAZA did?

(Image: Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala | Facebook)