DAVAO CITY, Philippines — VisMin real estate giant Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) has officially announced a major leadership transition, marking a new chapter of national expansion. Following its Annual Stockholders’ Meeting and organizational Board meeting today, June 5, 2026, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jose Franco B. Soberano has been appointed as the company’s new President and Chief Executive Officer.
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| Marking a new chapter in its growth journey, Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) announced the leadership transition, with Jose Franco Soberano succeeding founder Jose Soberano III as President and CEO. Soberano III remains the Executive Chairman, ensuring continuity as CLI advances its vision of becoming the Philippines’ leading and most trusted developer. |
Franco Soberano succeeds company founder Jose R. Soberano III, who will transition to a strategic oversight role as the Executive Chairman of the Board and Chair of the Executive Committee.
According to the company, this succession plan has been carefully developed over several years as part of a long-term governance strategy to reinforce CLI’s institutional stability as it expands across the Philippines.
“This transition reflects years of deliberate preparation and a shared commitment to ensuring Cebu Landmasters remains strong for generations to come,” said outgoing CEO Jose Soberano III. “Franco has played a critical role in shaping the company we are today and is well positioned to lead CLI through its next stage of growth.”
Riding a Wave of Record Financial Performance
The leadership hand-off comes at a time of unprecedented financial momentum for the listed property developer. In 2025, CLI posted an all-time high of Php 24.6 billion in residential reservation sales—a staggering 45 percent increase year-on-year—buoyed by intense housing demand across key markets. The company also reported consolidated revenues of Php 18.5 billion, reflecting robust operational strength and highly efficient project completions.
As the former COO, Franco Soberano was highly instrumental in scaling CLI’s portfolio, which has grown from its humble 2003 Cebu roots into a multi-billion peso public company. Today, CLI boasts a footprint spanning 21 cities and municipalities across Visayas and Mindanao, featuring more than 132 projects across residential, office, hospitality, mixed-use, and master-planned township sectors.
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| Founded in Cebu in 2003, Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) has expanded its footprint across 21 cities and municipalities with more than 132 projects in various stages of development. Among its landmark projects is the 23-hectare Davao Global Township, reflecting the company's growing portfolio of residential, office, hospitality, mixed-use, and master-planned communities. |
Looking North: Aggressive Expansion Beyond VisMin
While Cebu Landmasters has long been celebrated as the leading developer in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, the new CEO’s immediate horizon is fixed on strategic national expansion into Luzon.
CLI is currently accelerating its growth beyond its traditional strongholds with highly anticipated upcoming projects. This includes the launch of its very first residential mixed-use development located in Pasig, alongside the strategic acquisition of a massive 70-hectare property in Dasmariñas, Cavite, which is envisioned to become a future premier township.
“I humbly accept this responsibility with deep gratitude and with the highest respect for the legacy that Chairman Joe Soberano has built,” the newly appointed President and CEO Franco Soberano stated. “As we build the CLI of the future, I call on our 1,500-strong organization to lean on the momentum we’ve built for many years... to be masterful, resilient, and yet very generous in our efforts.”
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| Leonardo “Jun” D. Cuaresma Jr. joins the Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) Board as an Independent Director, bringing decades of expertise in audit, accounting, and corporate governance. A former Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Punongbayan & Araullo, he also served as Chair of the Philippine Auditing and Assurance Standards Council. Mr. Cuaresma completed the Advanced Management Program at Wharton and holds a Master in Management degree from the Asian Institute of Management. His appointment further strengthens CLI’s governance as the company enters its next phase of growth and national expansion. |
Strengthening Corporate Governance
In tandem with the executive shift, CLI shareholders also elected Leonardo “Jun” D. Cuaresma Jr. as a new Independent Director. Cuaresma, who previously served as the Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Punongbayan & Araullo and chaired the Philippine Auditing and Assurance Standards Council, succeeds Ma. Aurora “Boots” D. Geotina-Garcia following the completion of her allowable term under SEC rules. Cuaresma's extensive background in audit, finance, and corporate compliance is expected to further fortify the board as CLI steers toward its next phase of national growth.
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