GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon announced his retirement as the Chief Executive Officer of the country's leading multimedia conglomerate during his 84th birthday celebration at the Isla Ballroom of Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City on Dec. 9.

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, GMA President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit Jr. will assume the CEO role. Atty. Gozon will continue to serve as the Chairman of the Board and Adviser to the corporation.

"And now for the announcement. The GMA Board of Directors has approved my retirement as Chief Executive Officer effective Dec. 31, 2023. But I will still continue as chairman-adviser and chairman of the programming committee," said Gozon in his speech.

He continued: "The Board also approved my recommendation to elect Mr. Gilberto Duavit Jr. as the new Chief Executive Officer to replace me effective Jan. 1, 2024."

Gozon was teary-eyed as he thanked the guests for their support of him and the Kapuso network through the years. The members of his family were in attendance when he announced his retirement.

The event was also witnessed by VIPs led by First Lady Liza Marcos, senators, congressmen, business leaders and Kapuso stars. 

In 1975, Gozon, along with Gilberto M. Duavit Sr. and Menardo R. Jimenez, revived the struggling Republic Broadcasting System, Inc. (RBS), the precursor of GMA. The triumvirate made various initiatives to make the company financially viable--restructured debt, upgraded equipment, and produced local shows.

But for many years, GMA was a very distant No. 2 TV station. This changed when Gozon took the helm of the Network in 2000. With his transformational leadership, GMA rose to become the top broadcast network in the Philippines. In 2004, GMA's programs were No. 1 in Mega Manila. In 2005, GMA bagged the coveted Asian Television's Terrestrial Channel of the Year Award. Two years later, GMA's Initial Public Offering was met with much enthusiasm and resounding success. In July 2011, GMA was No. 1 in the entire Philippines.

Today, GMA reaches over 73 million Filipinos across the country. It has grown into a network of 106 TV stations and 21 radio stations nationwide. A four-time winner and the only Philippine recipient of the highly prestigious George Foster Peabody Award, GMA has consistently been recognized by various international award-giving bodies, such as the New York Festivals and the US International Film and Video Festival. According to the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, the Network was likewise named as the most trusted news brand in the country.

Globally, GMA International connects with millions of Filipinos in over 100 countries. GMA Regional TV continues to reach more Filipinos with its top-rating and award-winning local programs. The Network's flagship AM station, DZBB, and FM station, Barangay LS, are likewise the number one radio stations in their respective categories in Mega Manila.

GMA is also the first Filipino media and broadcasting company to sign with the United Nations (UN) Global Compact, remaining committed to making a meaningful and resonating impact while sustainably creating value for its various stakeholders. The Network's socio-civic arm, GMA Kapuso Foundation, has diverse programs designed to meet the specific needs of impoverished Filipinos, in four key areas: Health, Education, Disaster Relief, and Values Education. Demonstrating its commitment to quality content and superior coverage, GMA heavily invested in improving the Kapuso station's signals in provinces, launched new digital terrestrial television (DTT) channels, and created new products to make digital television accessible to millions of Filipinos.

Duavit, the eldest son of one of GMA's founders, Gilberto M. Duavit Sr., joined GMA's Board of Directors in 1999 and has been the Chairman of the Network's Executive Committee since August 2000. He was named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in November 2000 and was elected as the company's President in 2010.

Duavit is also the Chairman of the Board of GMA Network Films and serves as President and CEO of GMA Holdings, Inc., RGMA Marketing and Productions, Inc., and Chairman, President, and CEO of Group Management and Development, Inc., and Dual Management and Investments, Inc. He is the Vice Chairman of GMA Ventures, Inc.

He also serves as the President and a Trustee of GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc., a Trustee of the Guronasyon Foundation, Inc., and a Board Advisor of the HERO Foundation. Duavit holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Joel Marcelo G. Jimenez was elected as the new Chairman of the Network's Executive Committee, effective Jan. 1, 2024.

Jimenez, son of Menardo R. Jimenez, one of GMA's founders, is the President & CEO of Menarco Holdings, and the Chief Executive Officer of Alta Productions Group, Inc. He is a Director of RGMA Network, Inc., Executive Committee Chairman and Director of GMA New Media, Inc., Scenarios, Inc., GMA Worldwide, Inc., Citynet Network Marketing and Productions, Inc., Malayan Savings and Mortgage Bank, and Nuvoland Philippines. He is also a Trustee of GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.

He is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Major in International Marketing. He earned his Masters in Management from the Asian Institute of Management.