Companies led by the Zobel and Sy groups bagged awards at the 2012 Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Bell Awards, which recognized listed firms and stock brokerage houses for high standards of corporate governance.

Zobel-led firms Ayala Land Inc., Globe Telecoms Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc. won the awards alongside Sy-led companies SM Prime Holdings Inc. and China Banking Corp.

In addition, Macquarie Securities Philippines, COL Financial Group and CLSA Philippines Inc. were named as the top large-trading participants, while Armstrong Securities, Tri-State Securities and PCIB Securities were recognized under the small trading participant category.

The awarding ceremony, which was attended by some of the country’s biggest names in business, as well as former and incumbent politicians, including President Aquino, was the highlight at the PSE’s 20th anniversary celebration.

The awardees were judged based on their adoption of the PSE’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the results of trading participants’ regulatory audits and compliance with PSE Rules, including the Listing and Disclosure Rules, Market Regulations and Trading Rules and other relevant laws. The PSE has 255 listed firms and 133 trading participants.

The PSE traces its roots to 1927 when a group of American and Filipino businessmen formed the Manila Stock Exchange in the financial district of Binondo. In 1963 a second bourse was established in the newly developed financial area in Makati.

The two exchanges were unified in 1992 to form the Philippine Stock Exchange.  In 1994 PSE commenced operations as a single entity.