MANILA, Philippines – Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) is set to welcome its first female president and CEO, Maria Socorro Isabelle “Mybelle” Aragon-GoBio, on February 1.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Monday, January 6, RLC also announced the exit of Lance Gokongwei from the company’s top post. However, he will remain the firm’s executive chairman.

The family’s real estate firm also thanked Gokongwei for his “visionary leadership” and invaluable contributions during his one-year stint as its chief executive.

Gokongwei took the reins of RLC on January 8, 2024 after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Frederick Go as Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs.

Lance, 58, is the only son of the late-tycoon John Gokongwei.

‘Visionary leader’

Aragon-GoBio will take over RLC with 30 years of experience in the real estate industry under her belt. She began her career in RLC in 1993, and has since held leadership roles in logistics, residential and office developments.

Aragon-GoBio is currently RLC’s senior vice president.

She also serves as the director of Altus Property Ventures and the Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corporation (LIPAD), which manages the operations of the Clark International Airport. 

RLC said Aragon-GoBio’s appointment will kickstart an era of transformative growth and innovation. “Her commitment to synergy, customer-centricity, and operational excellence will undoubtedly strengthen RLC’s leadership in the real estate industry and deliver even greater value to our stakeholders,” it said.

Aragon-GoBio graduated from Ateneo de Manila University in 1993 with a degree in Management Engineering and a minor in International Business from the University of Antwerp in Belgium.

Her appointment to RLC’s top job comes as another Gokongwei sibling, Robina Gokongwei-Pe, turned over Robinsons Retail to its new president and CEO Stanley Co. Co is Robinsons Retail’s first CEO who is not related to the Gokongweis.

  – Rappler.com