Corporate Journey
The Aboitiz corporate journey, which began in the 1920s with the founding of Aboitiz & Company, is deeply rooted in the principle of “Palabra de Honor” or “Word of Honor.” Despite the economic challenges following World War I, the company forged a strong commitment to corporate governance during its early years.
During a period when the price of abaca, the major source of Aboitiz’s business, dropped dramatically, the company faced significant financial difficulties. Rather than walking away from debts, the founder Don Ramon Aboitiz, guided by the principle of “Palabra de Honor,” borrowed money to revive the business, pledging to repay all debts. In a letter to his sibling, Don Ramon wrote: “The biggest fortune I have is my word and reputation. Money can be lost and recovered, but once your name and reputation are lost, one’s word is worthless, and one is truly finished.”
This determination to honor commitments laid the foundation for the values that Aboitiz Group upholds today: Honor, Reputation, Trust, and Integrity. These values remain crucial as the company navigates future challenges.
In July 2013, Aboitiz adopted group-wide corporate values—Integrity, Innovation, Teamwork, and Responsibility—forming the foundation of the Aboitiz Way. These values guide the company in corporate stewardship and the creation of shared value.
Today, Aboitiz’s core businesses encompass Power, Banking and Financial Services, Food and Beverage, Real Estate, and Infrastructure sectors. The company is committed to sustainability, integrating the principles of the triple bottom line: People, Profit, and Planet.
Aboitiz Group continues to propel itself into a new era with an unwavering commitment to drive change for a better world by advancing business and communities. The board of directors, united in their belief in a robust corporate governance framework, guides this transformative journey, aspiring to establish Aboitiz as the Philippines’ first techglomerate.
