Jaime J. Bautista is the newly appointed Secretary of Transportation under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. Secretary Bautista has an impressive background in finance and operations. Before assuming his first government post, he held significant responsibilities as a member of the Board of Directors/Trustees in diverse industries, including mining, banking, shipping, and resort & leisure property development. His notable career in the aviation industry spans several decades, during which he served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of the national flag carrier, Philippine Airlines (PAL), from 2004 to 2012 and again from 2014 to 2019. Prior to his tenure as PAL’s president, he held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Philippines, now known as PAL Express. Under his leadership, PAL achieved remarkable milestones, particularly during the challenging periods of 2004-2005 to 2007-2008 and 2014-2016. Despite the demanding conditions in the industry, PAL managed to post profits, with the highlight being a fivefold increase in profits in 2015 compared to 2014.
In September 2007, Mr. Bautista successfully guided PAL out of an eight-year receivership period, a feat that earned him the prestigious title of “Aviation Person of the Year” for 2007 by Orient Aviation magazine.
Throughout his extensive service with PAL, Mr. Bautista held various positions, including Vice President Comptroller in 1993. He also served as Senior Vice President and Chief Finance Officer, as well as Executive Vice President during the mid-1990s. Additionally, he held several management roles and served on the boards of various companies affiliated with the Lucio Tan Group of Companies since the
1980s.
Secretary Bautista also engages in several socio-civic and professional organizations, including the Makati Business Club, Rotary Club of Makati West, and the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX). His contributions and accomplishments have been recognized through numerous awards, such as the Doctor of Humanities (honoris causa) conferred upon him by the Central Luzon State University. A certified public accountant, Secretary Bautista earned his Bachelor of Science.