The energy and corporate governance discourse in Asia-Pacific is increasingly converging on artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and ethical leadership, as the Manila Electric Company Manila Electric Company convened more than 700 participants for a regional leadership forum focused on women in digital transformation.

Held on March 11, “She Leads 2026: Women Powering AI, Cyber, and Governance” drew 761 online participants across Asia-Pacific, bringing together leaders from government, industry, regional power utilities, and academia to examine how inclusive leadership is shaping risk management and governance in the digital era.

Delegations included representatives from the Heads of ASEAN Power Utilities/Authorities Heads of ASEAN Power Utilities/Authorities, Sarawak Energy Sarawak Energy, and PacificLight PacificLight, underscoring growing regional alignment on cybersecurity resilience and responsible AI adoption in the power sector and beyond.

The forum, organized by Meralco’s Internal Audit Office, featured thought leaders from both government and industry, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Department of Environment and Natural Resources Chief Information Officer Arlene A. Romasanta, Asia Pacific College Asia Pacific College Executive Director Rhea-Luz R. Valbuena, and Steel Asia Manufacturing Corporation Steel Asia Manufacturing Corporation Chief Audit Executive Zaida Angelita P. Lazaro.

Discussions centered on how organizations can build ethical digital systems, strengthen cybersecurity defenses, and embed governance frameworks that keep pace with rapidly evolving AI applications across industries.

In her keynote address, Meralco Senior Vice President and Chief Audit Executive Melanie T. Oteyza stressed that leadership is increasingly defined by purpose amid technological disruption.

“Leadership is not defined by age, title, or sector, but by purpose, courage, and the impact we choose to make,” Oteyza said. “These forces are reshaping how we learn, how we work, how governments serve, and how trust is built across borders. Across these frontiers, women are not merely adapting to change. Women are leading it.”

She also emphasized the importance of broader participation in digital transformation: “Progress is not achieved by women alone. It is accelerated when leaders of all genders—including our male allies—commit to inclusive leadership, shared accountability, and mutual respect.”

Oteyza further underscored collective responsibility in shaping digital systems, saying: “This is about understanding how each of us—regardless of role or geography—can help shape a future we can trust.”

Meralco said the initiative builds on its broader push to develop future-ready leaders and strengthen governance capacity amid digital disruption, including previous programs linking audit education with academic institutions.

The forum reflects a growing push among Philippine and regional energy and infrastructure stakeholders to address cybersecurity and AI governance not as back-office concerns, but as core operational and trust issues.

As utilities and regulators across Asia-Pacific accelerate digitalization, the discussions signal tighter scrutiny on ethical AI deployment and cyber risk management in critical sectors such as power, where system reliability and public trust remain central priorities.

How should Philippine energy and utility players balance rapid AI adoption with cybersecurity risk and governance safeguards in critical infrastructure operations? 

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