Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. secured a spot among the top three Philippine conglomerates in the 2025 S&P Global ESG ratings, a result that highlights the company’s focus on governance and risk management amid broader push for sustainable investment standards in Southeast Asia.

The ranking, derived from the December 2025 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, underscored the Cebu-based holding company’s performance in business ethics and crisis management.

The assessment serves as a benchmark for how effectively large-scale enterprises navigate environmental, social, and governance risks that could impact long-term enterprise value.

AEV’s performance was bolstered by what the rating agency identified as mature enterprise risk systems and a board oversight structure that aligns with evolving international investor expectations.

Beyond governance, the conglomerate maintained high marks in human capital management and occupational health and safety. These metrics reflect AEV’s continued capital allocation toward workforce development and leadership programs across its diverse business segments, which span power, banking, food, and infrastructure.

The S&P assessment specifically noted that AEV provides a higher level of transparency and data availability than many of its domestic industry peers, a factor that is increasingly critical for institutional investors seeking credible disclosures in emerging markets.

“Our standing in the 2025 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment reflects the discipline of embedding sustainability into how we govern, manage risk, and build our businesses for the long term,” Sabin Aboitiz, President and Chief Executive Officer of AEV, said in a statement.

He noted that the company’s governance framework remains the foundation for its ongoing transition into a tech-enabled enterprise.

The S&P Global ratings utilize a double-materiality lens, evaluating how sustainability issues affect a company’s financial value while also considering the company’s impact on the environment and society.

For AEV, which manages a vast portfolio including Union Bank of the Philippines and Aboitiz Power Corp., maintaining a high ESG profile is viewed by analysts as a method to lower the cost of capital and strengthen stakeholder trust.

Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, AEV chief reputation and sustainability officer, said the recognition affirms the company’s focus on material issues that impact its long-term resilience.

She added that the group intends to further deepen its human capital investments and uphold integrity standards across its various subsidiaries.

While the Philippine market has seen a surge in ESG reporting, AEV’s ability to maintain a top-three position underscores the competitive pressure among the country’s family-led conglomerates to professionalize management and standardize risk reporting.

The company continues to trade on the Philippine Stock Exchange, where its governance practices remain a focal point for foreign fund managers monitoring the region’s sustainability transition.