As Best CEO, Nazareno has led PLDT’s growth since 2004 and has been instrumental in transforming PLDT’s business from a landline and voice-call service provider into a broadband-driven, multi-media service provider.

For the sixth consecutive year, PLDT ranked number one in the Best Investor Relations and Most Committed to a Strong Dividend Policy categories, highlighting its commitment to its investors and shareholders.

“This recognition affirms how committed we are in consistently adding value to the investments of our shareholders,” said PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan. “As an example, PLDT has maintained a policy of declaring 100 percent of its core income as cash dividends for shareholders, with cumulative pay-out reaching P310 billion for the past ten years.”

In other categories, PLDT ranked second in the Best Corporate Governance (from number 4 last year), Best Managed Company (from number 7 last year), and Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) categories.

This is the first year PLDT was recognized for its CSR efforts, which emphasizes its leadership not only in the telco business but also in social responsibility, particularly in disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts, as well as community building and employee volunteer programs geared towards education, poverty alleviation and social entrepreneurship.

“We at PLDT are most appreciative of all these recognitions from the investor community, and we will continue to change lives by providing world-class integrated services that benefits to all our stakeholders,” said Nazareno.

The Finance Asia poll also recognized other units from the MVP Group of Companies for their CSR initiatives, including Manila Electric Company (Meralco), Philex Mining Corporation, and Metro Pacific Investments, which was also cited in the Best Managed Companies category.

Finance Asia, a leading online and magazine publication reporting on Asia’s financial and capital markets, annually carries out the ‘Asia’s Best Companies’ survey to determine the best performing companies in the region. Now on its 14th iteration, the poll was conducted among investors and analysts from February to March 2014.