Lucio Co’s adviser

EX-INVESTMENT banker Roberto Juanchito “Jojo” Dispo, former president of First Metro Investments Corp., has long been friends with emerging taipan Lucio Co. But now that he’s no longer part of FMIC, he has more leeway to help the big boss of Puregold Price Club and Cosco Capital pursue more mergers and acquisitions. After taking over Philippine Bank of Communications (PBCom) and getting a nice trophy along Ayala Avenue—the 34-story Tower 6789 or formerly Alphaland Tower—we heard that Co still has a long shopping list.

Dispo was recently appointed by PBCom as adviser to the board of directors, which the bank said complemented its strategic direction considering his depth of experience in both commercial and investment banking. Cosco Capital also appointed Dispo as an adviser to the board, citing his “broad experience in investments, strategic acquisition and management including his previous position as deputy treasurer of the Philippines (which) could provide the board with expert guidance to be a more competitive conglomerate in the Philippine market.”

These are on top of Dispo’s new day job as president of Laguna-based electronics manufacturer Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corp. (TECH), which he helped raise fresh capital via a followon offering last year as one of the last deals he completed as president of FMIC.