Felipe L. Gozon to step down as GMA Network’s CEO

GMA Network heralds a new era as Atty. Felipe L. Gozon announces his retirement as its chief executive officer effective 31 December.

During his 84th birthday celebration at EDSA Shangri-La Saturday night, the multimedia honcho said he will remain the network's chairman of the board and adviser to the corporation.

Gilberto Duavit Jr., the network's current president and chief operating officer, will succeed Gozon as CEO beginning 1 January 2024. Joel Marcelo G. Jimenez was elected as the new chairman of the Network's Executive Committee, also effective 1 January 2024.

Duavit is the eldest son of one of GMA's founders, Gilberto M. Duavit Sr. He 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 COO in November 2000 and was elected as company president in 2010.

Duavit is also the chairman of the board of GMA Network Films and 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 also the vice chairman of GMA Ventures Inc.

Among his many caps, Duavit also serves as president and trustee of GMA Kapuso Foundation Inc., a trustee of the Guronasyon Foundation Inc., and a board advisor of the HERO Foundation.

Jimenez, meanwhile, is the son of Menardo R. Jimenez, one of GMA's founders. He is the president and CEO of Menarco Holdings, and the CEO 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.

Gozon, along with Duavit, Sr. and Menardo Jimenez, revived GMA's precursor Republic Broadcasting System Inc. in 1975 to make it financially viable, the company said.

Years after coming in second to Lopez's ABS-CBN, Gozon's leadership took the Kapuso network to the top. In July 2011, it claims to be the number one TV station in the country.

Currently, GMA reaches over 73 million Filipinos, with a network of 106 TV stations and 21 radio stations nationwide. 

GMA is a four-time winner and the only Philippine recipient of the highly prestigious George Foster Peabody Award. Likewise, it is also recognized by the New York Festivals, the US International Film and Video Festival and the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. GMA is also the first Filipino media and broadcasting company to sign with the United Nations Global Compact.