Aviation and Banking Legal 500 Recommendations Philippines

FROM LEGAL500.
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Aviation
Philippines
The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 Recommends:
Agcaoili & Associates

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW)
Belo Gozon Elma Parel Asuncion & Lucila Law Office
Estelito P Mendoza & Associates
Platon Martinez Flores San Pedro & Leao
Poblador Bautista & Reyes
Quisumbing Torres
Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles
Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako
Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan
Firms are listed in groups in order of priority, and alphabetically within groups.
The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 comments:
Agcaoili & Associates advised European export credit agencies and foreign aircraft lessors on ongoing
restructuring transactions involving aircraft leased to Philippine Airlines.
New to the tables this year, Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW)'s six-lawyer aviation team
is headed by partners Teodoro Regala and Rolando Del Castillo. The practice acted for key client Pilipinas Shell
Petroleum Corporation on several major transactions, including advising on the payment of royalty fees to the
Manila International Airport Authority, and carrying out due diligence work for an aircraft fuel supply agreement.
Felipe Gozon at Belo Gozon Elma Parel Asuncion & Lucila Law Office is recommended for advice on a broad
range of aviation and cargo issues.
Estelito P Mendoza & Associates is a small but respected firm which represents Lucio Tan, the owner of
Philippines National Airlines (PAL).
Platon Martinez Flores San Pedro & Leao's Saklolo Leao acts for major national and international airlines,
including Air France, KLM, Cathay Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and Malaysian Airlines.
Poblador Bautista & Reyes advises on aviation matters such as landing rights and air slots, as well as labour
law. Clients include Polar. Partners Jaime Hofilea and Johann Fernandez are recommended.
Quisumbing Torres represents all the US carriers airlines with a Philippines presence. The practice advises on a
both litigation and regulatory matters.
Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles acts for Cebu Pacific, the Philippines' second-largest
airline, on aircraft leasing and acquisition transactions, and advises Lufthansa Technik on maintenance and
engineering contracts. UPS, the US package delivery company, is a major client.
Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako acts for a large number of airline insurers, reinsurers and London-based
Lloyd's insurers, including the AON Group. The practice represents major carriers such as Cathay Pacific,
Korean Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines. The firm also advises clients on applications for airfare increases before
the Civil Aeronautics Board.
Clients at Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan include American Airlines and Japan Airlines.
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Banking and finance
Philippines
SYCIP SALAZAR HERNANDEZ & GATMAITAN
PICAZO BUYCO TAN FIDER & SANTOS

QUISUMBING TORRES
ROMULO MABANTA BUENAVENTURA SAYOC & DE LOS ANGELES

Castillo, Laman, Tan, Pantaleon & San Jose
Ponce Enrile Reyes & Manalastas
Quiason Makalintal Barot Torres & Ibarra
Villaraza & Angangco
Restructuring work for ailing companies and bank creditors remains an important practice area for law firms.
New legislation governing non-performing loans was passed last year.
Rafael Morales and Angelito Imperio at Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan are particularly recommended for
expertise in regulatory issues. Major deals of the last year include advising Socit Gnrale, Standard
Chartered Bank and JP MorganChase on a US$906m credit linked loan.
Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos has an excellent name in the Filipino banking community. The firm advised
SMART Communications Inc and PLDT, the Filipino telecoms company, on several complex financing deals in
the range of US$12m to US$145m, and represented clients such as JP MorganChase on heavyweight loan
restructurings. Other clients include Coral Bay Nickel Corporation and major US, Japanese and European
banks. Partners Estrelita Gacutan, Gabriel Dee and Manuel Gonzales are highly respected.
Quisumbing Torres advised a major regional banking group on new anti-money laundering legislation in the
Philippines. The firm also advised on loan transactions for major US manufacturing and electronics companies.
Other clients include the Development Bank of Singapore and global accountancy firms. Natividad Kwan and
Cornelio Abuda are recommended.
Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles advises clients such as Citibank, Deutsche Bank, ING,
Standard Chartered, UBS, Goldman Sachs, JP MorganChase, Citigroup Financial and CSFB on regulatory
matters and product development. Partners Jose Salvador Mirasol, Jacinto Jimenez and Reynaldo Geronimo
are prominent figures. Gabriel Singson, formerly governor of the Central Bank of the Philippines, joined the firm
as of counsel.
Teodoro Regala at Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW) heads a nine-partner practice that
advised Chevron Texaco on multi-currency credit agreements and represented debtors on the rehabilitation
proceedings of the ASB group of companies, Chas group of companies and the First Dominion group of
companies. Other clients include the Asian Development Bank, Citibank and Banco Santander Philippines.
Agcaoili & Associates undertook banking work for clients such as Citibank, Standard Chartered Bank, KBC Bank
NV, China Trust and BNP Paribas. Carmen Agcaoili-Orena heads a team that has an 'excellent knowledge' of
banking law, according to investment banking clients.
Castillo, Laman, Tan, Pantaleon & San Jose specialises in advising on loan agreements and securities
transactions. Clients include Credit Suisse and Japan Bank for International Co-operation. Partner Polo
Pantaleon has a strong reputation.
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Ponce Enrile Reyes & Manalastas acts for the Allied Banking Corporation and Solidbank. Partner Jesus
Manalastas leads the team.
Quiason Makalintal Barot Torres & Ibarra partner Ruel Soriano advised the First Philippine Infrastructure
Development Corporation and the Manila North Tollways Corporation on their financing for the North Luzon
Expressway. Both companies are part of the Lopez Group, for which the firm is principal counsel.
Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako acts for HSBC, PCI Bank, Asian Bank Corporation, Far East Bank & Trust
Company, Unionbank and the Great Pacific Savings Bank, as well as the Bankers' Association Philippines.
Victor Alimurung heads the practice.
Sylvette Tankiang at Villaraza & Angangco has a strong reputation for advice to banking clients such as ING
Bank, JP MorganChase, Standard Chartered Bank, BSP, Bank of the Philippine Islands and the European Bank
of Commerce.
Capital markets
Philippines

Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos

Kapunan Migallos Perez and Luna
Quisumbing Torres
IPOs remain rare amid low investor confidence, with most capital markets activity currently focused on debt
rather than equity. Securitisation has become more attractive following the recent implementation of the
Securitisation Act and the SPAV (Special Purpose Asset Vehicles) Act.
Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles acted for both JG Summit, as issuer, and JP Morgan,
as sole adviser, bookrunner and underwriter, on a US$300m bond offering. Other clients include UBS Warburg,
ING, Schroder Salomon Smith Barney, Deutsche Bank and Citigroup Financial. Partner Cynthia Del Castillo is
well known. On the equity side, however, the firm (like most) has had a slow year, although an IPO for a major
multinational is now in its initial stages.
Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan advised a wide range of clients such as Goldman Sachs and HSBC on
capital markets transactions. The firm also advised a consortium on the US$1.8bn securitisation of revenues
from a build-lease-transfer infrastructure project; the deal was the first ever securitisation for the Philippines.
Angelito Imperio and Rafael Morales are highly experienced practitioners.
Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos had a busy year in the capital markets. Highlights include acting for PLDT, the
Filipino telecoms company, on two bond issues of US$100m and US$250m respectively, and representing
Equitable PCI Bank on a US$250m bond issue. Other clients include Metrobank and ABN-Amro. Partners
Estrelita Gacutan, Mark Vergara and Gabriel Dee have good reputations.
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Five-partner, seven-assistant Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW) advised the Philippine
Stock Exchange on its de-merger and subsequent IPO, and acted for Rizal Commercial and Banking
Corporation on the issuance of unsecured subordinated notes. Other clients include Caltex (Philippines) and
Government Service Insurance System Mutual Fund. The firm also advised on securitisations for clients such as
Covanta Energy Philippine Holdings and Bank Islam (L) Ltd. Francis Lim, the firm's co-managing partner, was
elected to the board of the Philippine Stock Exchange. The 'outstanding' practice consistently 'meets client
deadlines without fail', say clients.
Roberto San Jose at Castillo, Laman, Tan, Pantaleon & San Jose, Barbara Migallos at Kapunan Migallos Perez
and Luna and Sylvette Tankiang at Villaraza & Angangco are all capable capital markets experts. Quiason
Makalintal Barot Torres & Ibarra undertakes some capital markets work and partner Enrique Quiason is the vice-
president of the Philippine Association of Publicly Held Companies. Quisumbing Torres also has some capital
markets experience.
Corporate and commercial (including M&A)

Philippines
PICAZO BUYCO TAN FIDER & SANTOS


Quisumbing Torres

Ortega Del Castillo Bacorro Odulio Calma & Carbonell

Almase Suarez & Almase-Martinez Law Offices
Carag, Caballes, Jamora & Somera Law Offices
JGLaw
Palma Palma & Associates
Puno & Puno Law Offices
Quasha Ancheta Pea & Nolasco
Projects and foreign investment have slowed significantly in the past two years. Similarly, the pace of
privatisation of the National Power Company of the Philippines (NAPCOR), a flagship project for the Filipino
government, has slowed recently. Several major infrastructure-related concession contracts were either subject
to legal investigation or declared invalid in 2002 and 2003. Such setbacks contributed to a deterioration in
confidence from foreign investors. Rail sector transactions and the privatisation of NAPCOR are likely to be
important sources of work for law firms in the coming years.
Fifteen-partner Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos moves into our top tier this year on account of the size and
importance of recent transactions and glowing recommendations from clients. Highlights include advising
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International Container Terminal Services on its US$400m sale to Hutchison International Port Holdings of a
controlling interest in ICTSI International Holdings and a cruise port terminal in Mexico. Managing partner and
head of corporate Antonio Picazo led a team which advised Kirin Brewery on its US$5.2bn investment in San
Miguel Corporation. Other clients include Toyota Philippines, Sun Life Insurance and First Pacific. The firm also
advised on several major restructurings.
Perry Pe at Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles heads a team that advised on a long list of
headline corporate deals in the past year. Highlights include advising Mirant Philippines on its US$617m
acquisition of Panay Electric Power, and representing Robinsons Bank on its acquisition of the Filipino branches
of ABN Amro. The firm also advised on several major insurance and restructuring transactions. Other clients
include IBM, Coca-Cola, Philip Morris, Pfizer, British Gas and Honda.
SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan's Rafael Morales and Cirilo Tolosa are well-known practitioners. The
firm's strong corporate practice attracts a long list of blue-chip multinational clients including San Miguel,
Carlsberg, Mitsubishi and Sharp.
Tadeo Hilado heads the 12-partner commercial practice at national firm Angara Abello Concepcion Regala &
Cruz (ACCRALAW). The team had a busy year, advising the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company on
its successful defence against a hostile takeover, and acting for KPMG on its acquisition of a local accountancy
firm. Other clients include Emirates National Oil Company, bioMerieux SA and Chevrillon Philippe Industrie.
Clients praise the firm for its deep understanding of their business, and say it is 'strong on strategising' and 'can
be relied upon to deliver results within a specified timetable'.
Castillo, Laman, Tan, Pantaleon & San Jose had a busy year on the corporate front. Managing partner Polo
Pantaleon is held in high esteem for corporate work, while Noel Laman has a good reputation for a range of
corporate matters, including projects, M&A, reorganisations and foreign investments. Clients include the Ayala
Group, Glaxo Group and Kodak.
Eight-partner Platon Martinez Flores San Pedro & Leao has expertise in M&A, joint ventures, divestitures, spin-
offs and liquidations. The firm has been advising Kawasaki Steel in connection with the US$56m Mindanao
Terminal Container project, and the restructuring of its various subsidiaries in the Philippines following the
worldwide merger of Kawasaki Steel with NKK of Japan. The firm also advised McDonald's and Dole on the
restructuring of their various Filipino subsidiaries. Name partner Carlos Platon is recommended by clients.
Quiason Makalintal Barot Torres & Ibarra's chief client is the Lopez family. Clients include Lopez-owned
companies such as ABS-CBN, Benpres Holdings Corporation and Beyond Cable. Enrique Quiason heads a
team of lawyers characterised by clients as 'inexhaustible workhorses' by virtue of their formidable work ethic.
Quisumbing Torres has a highly successful association with global law firm Baker & McKenzie; the relationship
generates a large amount of corporate and commercial referral work in the Philippines from Baker & McKenzie's
international network of offices. Recent instructions include advising a leading Hong Kong retailer on a
US$13.7m business transfer arrangement and acting for a leading Spanish fabric manufacturer on a US$6.9m
acquisition of shares in a manufacturing company and a real estate company. The practice also advised a US
technical support company on the establishment of a US$10.3m entity to house call-centre operations. Other
clients include Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company, Lyonnaise des Eaux Philippines Inc, AIG Consumer
Finance Group, Sony, Cisco, Ford, Nike and Occidental Chemical. Practice head Edgardo de Vera provides
'responsive' and 'excellent' advice and service to clients; overall, the firm is 'a pleasure to deal with'.
Villaraza & Angangco is recommended for a wide range of advice, including incorporation, M&A,
reorganisations, liquidations and dissolutions and compliance issues. The practice has special expertise in real
estate transactions. Clients include Blue Ridge Mineral Corporation, Cityland Development, East Asia Power,
Guess, HBO Asia, MTV Asia, Philip Morris, Solar Entertainment and Solid Cement. Partner Raoul Angangco is
recommended.
Kapunan Migallos Perez and Luna's Barbara Migallos presides over the Philippines Association of Publicly Held
Companies. The firm advises clients on various corporate activities including incorporations and formation of
business organisations, reorganisations, joint ventures, acquisitions and divestitures, mergers, consolidations
and dissolutions. Clients include the Ayala Corporation, Nestl Philippines, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum
Corporation, Seven Seas Resort and Leisure Corporation and Manila Broadcasting Corporation.
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Renato Calma heads the corporate team at Ortega Del Castillo Bacorro Odulio Calma & Carbonell, one of the
oldest law firms in the Philippines. Clients include General Motors, Du Pont, Kraft and 3M.
Ponce Enrile Reyes & Manalastas advises retail, pharmaceutical, energy, telecoms and transport sector clients
including Norsk Hydro and Del Monte Philippines Inc on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters.
Name partner Eleazar Reyes is well-known.
Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako advised US and Asian clients on corporate and joint venture formation,
capital restructuring and M&A deals. Highlights include advising Monsanto on the worldwide divestment of its
table-top consumer unit, sweetener ingredients business and biopolymers division. The firm also represented
Unilever on the sale of its DiverseyLever business to Johnson Wax Professionals, and acted for Goodyear-
Philippines in relation to the closure of its manufacturing plants in the Philippines. Other clients include The
Gillette Company, Caltex, Siemens, Coca-Cola Bottlers, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Mobil, Nestl, Revlon, Shell and
Filipino companies such as Manila Electric Company.
Agcaoili & Associates recently advised EAC Philippines on the sale of its majority shares in Sta Fe Moving &
Relocation Services Philippines. The firm also continued to advise Western Power Corporation on its joint
venture with the province of Palawan in relation to the company's construction of a 100MW power plant. Sony
Ericsson is a major client, which the firm advises on general corporate and commercial matters. New clients
include Accette Insurance Brokers and Heidelberg Philippines. Practice head Carmen Agcaoili-Orena is 'results-
driven and timely' in advising clients, and the firm as a whole is 'dedicated' and provides 'personalised attention
to detail'.
Based in Cebu, three-partner Almase Suarez & Almase-Martinez Law Offices provides general corporate advice
to clients such as mining and real estate companies and educational institutions.
Fifteen-lawyer Carag, Caballes, Jamora & Somera Law Offices advises a predominantly Filipino client base on
corporate and commercial matters.
Thirty five-lawyer JGLaw advises aviation, manufacturing, mining, pharmaceuticals and chemicals and telecoms
sector clients, including Nissan and Singapore Airlines. Jose Vicente Jimenez acts for several Japanese clients.
Atty Palma at Cebu-based Palma Palma & Associates acts for manufacturers and distributors.
Poblador Bautista & Reyes advised NTT Communications on the bid for its shares in PLDT, the Filipino
telecoms company, by Gokongwei Group, and acted for FF Cruz & Co on its bid for the Batangas port project.
Other highlights include advising major accounting firms and insurance companies on their M&A activities.
Partner Mario Bautista leads the team.
Puno & Puno Law Offices advises US, European, Middle Eastern and Filipino clients from the retail, transport,
banking, IT and utilities sectors. Clients include Cable & Wireless Plc, Kuwait Airways, Emirates Airways and El
Paso Energy. Ricardo C Puno, Ricardo V Puno and Regis Puno are prominent partners at the firm.
Nilo Pe(a, Pompeyo Nolasco and Alonzo Ancheta at Quasha Ancheta Pea & Nolasco act for a wide range of
international clients including Allianz AG, BP, Daewoo, Chanel, Fuji Xerox, Lego and Philip Morris. The firm is a
member of INTERLAW.
Dispute resolution
Philippines
ANGARA ABELLO CONCEPCION REGALA & CRUZ (ACCRALAW)
ESTELITO P MENDOZA & ASSOCIATES

POBLADOR BAUTISTA & REYES
6
PLATON MARTINEZ FLORES SAN PEDRO & LEAO
VILLARAZA & ANGANGCO

Ongkiko Kalaw Manhit & Acorda
Quisumbing Torres
Antonio R Bautista & Partners

Balgos & Perez
Benitez Parlade Africa Herrera Parlade & Panga
Cayetano Sebastian Ata Dado & Cruz
Del Rosario & Del Rosario
JGLaw
Salonga Hernandez & Mendoza
Litigation in the Philippines is not entered into lightly by clients. Trials can take years because they are not
continuous. Instead, each witness will usually give evidence several weeks apart.
Manila: Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW)'s 13-partner litigation team specialises in
heavyweight competition, aviation and banking litigation; the practice is also highly experienced in construction
arbitration. Practice head Romulo Espaldon and Francis Lim have excellent reputations. The firm successfully
represented the Mia-Naia Association of Service Operators before the Supreme Court on a dispute with the
Philippine government arising from the construction of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal. The
practice also acted for several telecoms companies on a series of successful representations filed with the
National Telecommunications Commission. Other clients include PLDT, Procter & Gamble Philippines, San
Miguel Corporation, Hyatt Regency Manila, GlaxoSmithKline, Deutsche Bank and 3M Philippines.
Estelito P Mendoza & Associates advises on a wide range of commercial, banking and civil litigation. The firm
has a strong track record for litigation, due in no small part to the reputation of partner Tony Mendoza, who has
over 50 years' litigation experience. High-profile clients include political figures Eduardo Cojuangco and Imelda
Marcos.
Poblador Bautista & Reyes was involved in a long list of major litigation cases over the last year. The firm
advised two senior officers from Equitable-PCI Bank on their role as key witnesses during the trial of a former
Philippines president for corruption charges. The practice also advised a major Asian bank on ongoing litigation.
Alexander Poblador and Gilbert Reyes have outstanding reputations.
Platon Martinez Flores San Pedro & Leao's Saklolo Leao recently advised Caltex (Philippines) on a contested
US$23m customs duty assessment.
Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is particularly known for its banking and construction arbitration work.
Roberto San Juan heads the practice.
Villaraza & Angangco's Augusto San Pedro acts for clients from the construction, manufacturing, tobacco and
commodities sectors.
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Castillo, Laman, Tan, Pantaleon & San Jose is recommended for expertise in insurance, construction and
shipping disputes. Practice head Ancheta Tan also has special expertise in employment and labour law cases.
Kapunan Migallos Perez and Luna is known for its involvement in insurance and shareholder disputes. Partner
Pablito Perez heads the firm's large litigation practice.
At Ongkiko Kalaw Manhit & Acorda, Mario Ongkiko has a good name, especially for litigation involving
politicians.
Ortega Del Castillo Bacorro Odulio Calma & Carbonell is well known for media law expertise; clients include
major Filipino newspapers. The practice also handles shipping litigation, as well as a broad range of other civil
and criminal litigation. Tomas O'Del Castillo heads the practice.
Quisumbing Torres' four-partner, 15-associate practice advised Dow Chemical Company and Occidental
Chemical Corporation on defending a US$5.7bn claim by 42,000 banana plantation workers, and acted for
Monsanto in obtaining government approval to test genetically modified Bt-corn. Practice head Ramon
Quisumbing commands a strong reputation. Gil Roberto Zerrudo has expertise in labour law cases.
Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles was particularly active in arbitration. The firm advised
Digitel Philippines on a US$236m ICC arbitration with NEC, the Japanese electronics company, and acted for
Australian company Transfield Group on two separate US$65m and US$236m ICC arbitrations with Luzon
Hydro Corporation and Pacific Hydro Corporation respectively. Department head Fortunato Gupit and Eduardo
de los Angeles are well-known.
Antonio R Bautista & Partners acts for clients such as Team Pacific and Toyota (Philippines). Antonio Bautista
heads a team of three partners.
Two-partner Balgos & Perez recently won several favourable Supreme Court decisions on behalf of BF Homes,
the country's biggest subdivision developer. Name partner Marcial Balgos has expertise in the preparation of
pleadings.
Carag, Caballes, Jamora & Somera Law Offices handles a large amount of shipping dispute work. Benjamin
Somera heads the team.
Cayetano Sebastian Ata Dado & Cruz has a growing reputation for general litigation, while Arturo Del Rosario
and Imelda Cerillo have a strong following among clients at Del Rosario & Del Rosario for both heavyweight dry
and wet shipping litigation cases and Filipino seafarers' claims. Clients include major P&I clubs. The practice
also advises on a range of general commercial, insurance and labour law litigation.
Clients at JGLaw include Asia Brewery and Yamaha. Experienced partner Ponciano Gonzales is an expert in
both litigation and arbitration.
Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos' Purisimo Buyco leads a team of eight associates. The firm advised Metro
Pacific Corporation on a high-profile dispute with a contractor over the client's luxury condominium project.
Ponce Enrile Reyes & Manalastas partners Eleazar Reyes and Armando Marcelo advise on a wide range of
commercial, insolvency and family law litigation. Well-known clients include the Philippine National Bank and the
Marcos family.
Quasha Ancheta Pea & Nolasco's Nilo Pea and Pompeyo Nolasco advise on commercial, insurance and
shipping litigation.
Camilo Quiason at Quiason Makalintal Barot Torres & Ibarra advises clients such as Bayantel
Telecommunications, Philipinas Shell Petroleum and the Metropolitan Banking Corporation.
Salonga Hernandez & Mendoza specialises in securities-related litigation, while Siguion Reyna Montecillo &
Ongsiako's Cesar Manalaysay has a good name for litigation work. This respected practice has a good record in
relation to its appearances before the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Dispute resolution: Cebu
Philippines

Garcia Garcia Ong Vano Law Offices
J.P. Garcia & Neri Law Office
Palma Palma & Associates
SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan
Almase Suarez & Almase-Martinez Law Offices represented passengers against both Philippine Airlines and
China Southern Airlines, and acted for Atlas Consolidated Mining on an arbitration matter.
Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW)'s Cebu office, established in 1980, is particularly active
in labour disputes.
The focus of SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan's Cebu-based litigation practice is employment disputes.
Danilo Ortiz manages the office.
Palma Palma & Associates has a good track record in property disputes, while Garcia Garcia Ong Vano Law
Offices and J.P. Garcia & Neri Law Office are recommended for more general litigation matters.
Dispute resolution: Davao

Philippines

Cariaga Law Office
Dominguez Paderna & Tan Law Offices
SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan
Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW)'s excellent litigation team is recommended for mining
and labour cases. The 33-partner national firm has had a presence in Davao since 1990.
Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan's Davao office handles a good deal of labour work but deals principally
with claims by pineapple plantation workers against key client Del Monte.
Cariaga Law Office and Dominguez Paderna & Tan Law Offices are also recommended for litigation in the
Davao region.
9
Foreign law firms
Philippines
Allen & Overy
Baker & McKenzie

Clifford Chance
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy
White & Case LLP
Clayton Utz
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
Denton Wilde Sapte
Dewey Ballantine
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Linklaters
Morrison & Foerster
Pillsbury Winthrop LLP
Richards Butler
Shearman & Sterling LLP
Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Slaughter and May
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
Allen & Overy is effectively currently the only international law firm to maintain an office in the Philippines. US
and Philippine-qualified practice head Andy Bautista, who previously worked at White & Case LLP until 2001,
has particular expertise in domestic infrastructure projects. The practice operates under the name of Anglo-
Oriental Consulting (the office is not officially part of the London-based firm's international network of offices;
local Bar rules prohibit foreign lawyers from practising in the Philippines). The firm had a busy year, advising the
government on six major capital markets transactions and acting for the National Power Corporation on a series
of complex financings. The firm also undertook litigation work for the Filipino government and ABS-CBN, the
largest telecommunications broadcasting company in the Philippines. Anglo-Oriental Consulting also advised
corporates and banks on several major transactions and restructurings.
White & Case LLP advises on high-profile Filipino project finance deals out of its Hong Kong office. The firm is
currently advising Maynilad Water Services on the US$350m financing of the Metropolitan Waterworks and
Sewerage Scheme, and represented AIG as underwriter for a portion of the US$400m financing of the Ninoy
Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 project. Other clients include Edison Mission Energy and the Asian
Development Bank. 'Outstanding' practice head Sharon Hartline is praised by clients as 'aggressive in pursuing
requirements'; the practice as a whole is 'highly committed' and 'always available when urgent issues arise'.
Baker & McKenzie maintains a strong presence in the Philippines through its local associate firm Quisumbing
Torres.
Sam Bonifant and Gary Wigmore at Clifford Chance and Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy's respective
Singapore offices head highly regarded project finance practices with excellent track records in the Philippines.
Other foreign firms we recommend often advise on the international component of major deals in the
Philippines.
10
Immigration
Philippines

CARAG, CABALLES, JAMORA & SOMERA LAW OFFICES
SIGUION REYNA MONTECILLO & ONGSIAKO
Immigration work tends to go hand in hand with a strong labour practice, as much of it will often involve
obtaining work permits for foreign staff. Given that the Philippines' government is eager to encourage investment
into the country, this is usually a relatively swift process.
Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW) advised on immigration law for clients such as Philips
Electronics & Lighting, Deutsche Bank, Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble. Highly regarded Regina Padilla
Geraldez heads the two-partner team.
Carag, Caballes, Jamora & Somera Law Offices' Elpidio Jamora and Maria Trinidad-Villareal advises on work
permits and visas. International clients include telecoms companies from Norway and Korea.
Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles advises foreign multinationals such as Coca-Cola.
Maria Teresita Sison Go heads the practice.
Reynaldo Gatmaitan at Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako has long-standing experience of advising clients
before the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID).
Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan's Rene Soriano is a well-known practitioner.
Elma Leogardo at Villaraza & Angangco is an immigration law expert. Clients include Diversion Industries and
the Mandarin Hotel.
Intellectual property
Philippines

CARAG, CABALLES, JAMORA & SOMERA LAW OFFICES
CASTILLO, LAMAN, TAN, PANTALEON & SAN JOSE
POBLADOR AZADA & BUCOY
POBLADOR BAUTISTA & REYES
QUASHA ANCHETA PEA & NOLASCO
QUISUMBING TORRES

11
E B Astudillo & Associates
Escao & Partners
Salonga Hernandez & Mendoza
Saludo Agpalo Fernandez & Aquino
IP work is a major source of revenue for Philippines law firms and most of the leading firms therefore have
specialist IP teams. Video and music piracy are rife in the country, with many counterfeit goods making their way
from Malaysia to the Philippines. The US-based International Intellectual Property Association has warned that
the country has the potential to become a centre for pirated recordings, while it is already ranked as the third-
worst offender in South East Asia, behind Malaysia and Indonesia, by the London-based International
Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW) advised Pizza Express on registration work and acted
for Petron Corporation, the Filipino oil company, on enforcement issues. The practice also provided ongoing
advice on trade mark and competition cases for clients such as Philips, Bayer, Aventis CropScience Philippines
and Procter & Gamble Philippines. Other blue-chip clients include Este Lauder, Eveready Battery, BP, San
Miguel and The Body Shop. Practice head Aleli Quirino and Alex Ferdinand Fider are recommended as 'real
work horses' who have an 'understanding of the client's mindset'; the department as a whole is 'reliable and
responsive', say clients.
Maria Trinidad Villareal at Carag, Caballes, Jamora & Somera Law Offices heads a practice that advises on
enforcement rights for major clients such as adidas, Nike, Louis Vuitton, the Motion Picture Association, Oakley,
Philips, Toshiba, Warner Bros and Chanel.
Castillo, Laman, Tan, Pantaleon & San Jose has particular expertise in medical advertisement law as well as
general patent and trade mark licensing issues. Noel Laman heads a team that boasts clients such as Lacoste,
GlaxoSmithKline and Duncan Pharmaceuticals Philippines.
Poblador Azada & Bucoy's three name partners - Manuel Poblador, Antonio Buyco and Cipriano Azada - have
good reputations.
Poblador Bautista & Reyes' IP work over the last year includes the design and implementation of IP rights for
clients such as Caterpillar and Levi-Strauss & Co. The firm also advised Kimberly-Clark on a major patent
litigation case against a Taiwanese-based diaper manufacturer. Gilbert Reyes is a well-known figure.
Quasha Ancheta Pea & Nolasco is particularly respected for its expertise in patent law. Name partner Alonzo
Ancheta, a former vice-president of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association, heads the practice.
Quisumbing Torres partner Romeo Salonga is recommended for trade mark registration and licensing matters.
Partner Chris Lim is also a widely recognised IP expert. The 11-lawyer team advised multinational clients on
anti-piracy and trade mark prosecutions, as well as trade mark registrations. The practice is 'judicious, careful
and reliable' and 'simply superb' in its service to clients.
Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles advises major pharmaceutical, technology and
consumer goods sector clients such IBM, Avon, Coca-Cola, BASF, Ralph Lauren, adidas and pharmaceutical
giants Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and GlaxoSmithKline. Rogelio Nicandro heads the team.
Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan advised Tiffany & Co on a contentious trade mark registration. The
practice also successfully obtained an award of damages for E & J Gallo Winery in a case involving improper
12
use of the company's name by a Filipino company. Other clients of this growing practice include Intel and Tower
Records. Partner Llewellyn Llanillo heads a seven-partner department described by clients as 'up-to-date' and
'timely' in its advice and service.
Villaraza & Angangco's seven-lawyer practice advises clients such as Kawasaki Steel, Burger King and Snapple
on applications. Bienvenido Somera heads a team of three partners.
Evener Villasanta at Agcaoili & Associates heads a team that won several new clients in the past year from the
pharmaceutical sector, including Aventis Pharma, Rhodia Services and Bayer AG. Client praise the team for its
'extensive connections' and experience.
At Del Rosario & Del Rosario, Arturo Del Rosario heads a team of six lawyers registered with the IPO
(Intellectual Property Owners Association), which advises on a wide range of IP matters. Clients include Sony,
Compaq and British American Tobacco.
E B Astudillo & Associates name partner Enrico Astudillo acts for US, European and Japanese clients such as
Audi, BASF, Procter & Gamble, Honda and Honeywell.
At niche practice Escao & Partners, name partner Eduardo Escao has a good name for IP work.
Kapunan Migallos Perez and Luna has particular expertise in work relating to pirated compact discs. Clients
include the Phonogram Producers and Performers Society of the Philippines Inc. Practice head Lorna Patajo-
Kapunan was president of the Intellectual Property Association of the Philippines (IPAP) from 1997 to 2002.
Ortega Del Castillo Bacorro Odulio Calma & Carbonell's Tomas O'Del Castillo is the firm's chief IP expert.
Platon Martinez Flores San Pedro & Leao's Augusto San Pedro heads a practice that advised multinationals
such as Energizer Philippines (Eveready), Cargill, Subway, and Sandvik on the violation of their IP rights.
Quiason Makalintal Barot Torres & Ibarra acts for Abbott Laboratories, Kimberley-Clark, ABS-CBN Broadcasting,
Software AG Philippines and Pillsbury. Practice head Anthony Peralta is 'dedicated and knowledgable', say
clients.
Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako's Celso Cruz heads a practice that has particular expertise in registration
and enforcement work. The firm advises key client Unilever on patent work.
Labour
Philippines

SIGUION REYNA MONTECILLO & ONGSIAKO

Quisumbing Torres

13
The Philippines has powerful unions and extensive employment legislation. The right to both union membership
and strike action is enshrined in the 1987 Constitution. In the current troubled economic environment, labour law
work remains an important practice area for law firms.
National firm Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW) acts for some of the largest employers in
the Philippines. Marcial Fuente heads a four-partner labour law practice, which includes highly recommended
practitioners Emerico Guzman and Ernesto Aasco. The firm advised Bechtel International on its handling of
workers' claims, and acted for Caltex Philippines and Philipinas Shell Petroleum on the mediation of strike
notices. The practice also advised on collective bargaining negotiations with unions for clients such as China
Banking Corporation, American Wire and Cable Co, Malayan Insurance and De La Salle University. Other
clients include Coca-Cola, San Miguel Deutsche Bank, 3M Philippines and various hotel chain giants.
Romarie Villonco at Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako heads a practice that advises on termination and
compensation claims, collective bargaining agreements and strike contingency planning. Blue-chip clients
include Coca-Cola, San Miguel and PLDT.
Platon Martinez Flores San Pedro & Leao partners Ernestine Villareal-Fernando and Grace Quevedo-
Panagsagan advise on a broad range of labour law cases, including collective bargaining negotiations,
unionisation of companies, arbitrations and strikes. Clients include Kawasaki Motors (Phils), Philippine Fuji
Xerox Corporation, Dole Philippines and Noritake Porcelana Manufacturing.
Ponce Enrile Reyes & Manalastas is particularly recommended for advice to banking clients such as Bank of
America, Citibank and Allied Banking Corporation. Partners Edwin Gastanes and Valentino Dionela are
recommended.
Quisumbing Torres acts for a wide range of international clients, thanks in part to its close ties with global law
firm Baker & McKenzie. The two-partner team advised Microsoft and Washington Group International on the
termination of employees' contracts. The firm also advised on labour law issues for a client establishing a call
centre in the Philippines. Practice head Gil Roberto Zerrudo and Romeo Salonga head a team of seven
associates.
The three-partner practice at Cebu-based Almase Suarez & Almase-Martinez Law Offices advised on several
major labour law cases last year, including acting for clients such as the Cebu Daily News, the Limtong Press
and the Toledo Power Company on employees' contract termination cases.
Belo Gozon Elma Parel Asuncion & Lucila Law Office is highly regarded for its role in advising clients before the
National Labour Relations Commission.
Carag, Caballes, Jamora & Somera Law Offices is well known for advice to P&I clubs in seafearers' claims.
Holiday Inn is also a major client.
Castillo, Laman, Tan, Pantaleon & San Jose partner Ancheta Tan has expertise in strike actions, collective
bargaining and employee transfers during mergers and resturcturings.
Gregorio Ortega at Ortega Del Castillo Bacorro Odulio Calma & Carbonell and Del Rosario & Del Rosario have
a strong focus on shipping-related labour work.
Poblador Bautista & Reyes advises retail sector clients such as Levi-Strauss. Gilbert Reyes and Deogracias
Fellone are recommended.
14
Quasha Ancheta Pea & Nolasco's Orencio Ibarra and Miguel Damaso are labour law experts. Name partner
Pompeyo Nolasco has expertise in the shipping sector.
Quiason Makalintal Barot Torres & Ibarra advises on a wide range of employees' contracts issues, as well as
industrial action such as strikes and lockouts. Clients include ABS-CBN Broadcasting, Sky Cable and Linksys
Network Systems.
Clients at Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles include Kraft, Pfizer, Standard Chartered
Bank and Coca-Cola. Enriquito Mendoza heads a team that advises employers on collective bargaining
agreements, terminations and retirement and on stock option plans.
Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan's employment law clients include Texas Instruments. Rene Soriano is
recommended.
Villaraza & Angangco acts for a number of call centres. Partner Alejandro Navarro is recommended.
Media
Philippines

Libel law is a significant source of business for some firms, with libel actions attracting criminal charges directed
not just at the writer but the entire editorial staff of a publication. Press freedom, however, is guaranteed under
the 1987 Constitution. Powerful families and businesses control many media outlets. The country's lively
television sector is dominated by a small number of major players, and many television broadcasters also
operate radio stations and networks. The Philippines also has a well-developed cable TV system.
Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW) advises several newspapers, including Manila Bulletin,
the Manila Standard and the Philippine Star. Partner Teresita Herbosa is recommended for her media sector
expertise.
Belo Gozon Elma Parel Asuncion & Lucila Law Office partners Enrique Belo, Felipe Gozon and Roberto Lucila
are experienced media lawyers. The firm's expertise lies chiefly in issues facing broadcasting companies.
Clients include Citynet Television, Channel 7, Progressive Broadcasting Corporation and Republican
Broadcasting Systems.
By contrast, Ortega Del Castillo Bacorro Odulio Calma & Carbonell tends to defend the print media, and is often
involved in the country's biggest libel actions. Partner Tomas O'Del Castillo heads the practice.
Clients at Quiason Makalintal Barot Torres & Ibarra include ABS-CBN and Sky Cable, while Romulo Mabanta
Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles acts for Time Warner and 20th Century Fox.
Key media clients of Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan include the newspaper Manila Bulletin, MTV and
NBC.
15
Villaraza & Angangco is particularly experienced in e-commerce. The firm acts for ABS-CBN, Cinemax, HBO,
MTV Asia and NBC.
Mining and natural resources

Philippines
QUISUMBING TORRES
Almase Suarez & Almase-Martinez Law Offices, Cebu

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW) Davao
The Philippines is rich in uranium, coal, iron, timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver and salt. It is also the
largest producer of copper in South East Asia and among the world's top-ten producers of gold. The mining
industry has been deregulated since 1995, opening the door to international companies. Philippine mining
generally takes place in the separatist-troubled southern region of Mindanao.
Quisumbing Torres' Leo Dominguez is assistant corporate secretary of the Philippine Mineral Exploration
Association and one of the country's leading experts on natural resources. The firm advised international mining
clients on M&A transactions such as multi-million dollar sales and purchases of assets and shares. The practice
also advised a client on establishing a Filipino business to engage in environmental clean-up activities.
Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles' energy and natural resources team advised Shell
Philippines Exploration on a US$5bn deep-sea natural gas exploration and pipeline venture with the
government, and acted for British Gas on several power plant ventures with First Private Power Corporation.
Other clients include Philippines Geothermal (a subsidiary of Union Oil of California), Mirant Philippines, Oriental
Petroleum and Cemex, the Mexican cement producer.
Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan's clients include CalEnergy, Manila Mining Corporation, Phillips
Petroleum, Aboitiz Group and Australia's Pacific Hydro. Ethelwoldo Fernandez and Jocelyn Salazar are
recommended.
Almase Suarez & Almase-Martinez Law Offices advised key client Atlas Consolidated Mining & Development
Corp on a range of matters, including pollution and health and safety issues, and litigation involving land rights
of an indigenous Filipino tribe.
Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW), together with PricewaterhouseCoopers, conducted an
Asian Development Bank-funded study on the competition law implications of the Electric Power Industry
Reform Act. The firm also advised Procter & Gamble Distributing on an alternative power supply project. Other
clients include Shell Philippines Exploration, Caltex Philippines and Salcon Power Corporation. Partners Aleli
Quirino and Eusebio Tan head the team; Ramon Samson has particular expertise in natural resources-related
litigation.
16
Belo Gozon Elma Parel Asuncion & Lucila Law Office's mining and natural resources practice acts for clients
such as Atlas Consolidated Mining Confederation, Phelps Dodge, Placer Dome, Selenga Mining Corporation
and Star Mine.
Carag, Caballes, Jamora & Somera Law Offices advises clients such as Australian Mineral Exploration Group,
Chase Resources, Delta Minerals and the Minorco Group on mining advice and related litigation.
Name partner Roberto San Jose at Castillo, Laman, Tan, Pantaleon & San Jose advises clients such as Alsons
Consolidated Resources and CalEnergy.
Kapunan Migallos Perez and Luna's team is led by Troy Luna; clients include Philex and Cebu-based power
distributor Visayan Electric Company.
Puno & Puno Law Offices deals primarily with gas power projects for clients such as First Gas Power
Corporation, while Ponce Enrile Reyes & Manalastas represents Shell.
Clients at Quasha Ancheta Pea & Nolasco include BP, Noble Energy and Southeast Mindanao Gold Mining
Corporation. Nilo Pe(a and Pompeyo Nolasco have prominent reputations in this sector.
Manuel Torres leads Quiason Makalintal Barot Torres & Ibarra's energy and public utilities group, which
represents clients such as Philipinas Shell Petroleum and the Manila Electric Company, the largest power
distribution company in the Philippines.
Recommended Cebu-based firms are three-partner Almase Suarez & Almase-Martinez Law Offices; Angara
Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW); Palma Palma & Associates; and SyCip Salazar Hernandez &
Gatmaitan.
Property and construction

Philippines

Quisumbing Torres

Palma Palma & Associates, Cebu
The property and construction sector has felt the impact of the current lack of foreign investment. Few firms
have dedicated property practices, and much of the work in this area is currently related to dispute resolution.
17
Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos advised on developing and financing infrastructure facilities for Fort Bonifacio
Global City, a major township development project. The practice also acts for resort and holiday home
developers such as Landco Pacific Corporation and Canyon Woods Resort Club.
Poblador Bautista & Reyes has carved out a niche for disputes work for major property developers and
construction companies. Alexander Poblador and Gilbert Reyes are both experienced in general property and
construction work.
Quisumbing Torres acted for a consortium on a complex US$130m property deal. The practice also advised on
several major land acquisitions. Edgardo de Vera and Pearl Liu are recommended.
Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles' Joaquin Sayoc led a team that advised Sumitomo
Corporation on the Edsa Mass Rail Transport project. The firm also acted for Daidan, the Japanese engineering
conglomerate, on the construction of passenger terminals at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Other highlights
include several major real estate transactions, including acting as local counsel for First Pacific, the Hong Kong
conglomerate, on a US$90m transfer of interests in Bonifaco Land Corp.
Recent property instructions at Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan include advising on the development of
industrial estates and acting on the acquisition, development and leasing of land.
Almase Suarez & Almase-Martinez Law Offices undertook work on major construction projects such as the
Mactan Cebu International Airport project. The practice also advised on a long list of property deals for clients
such as Moral Realty and Commonwealth Estates.
Avelino Cruz and Rolando Del Castillo at Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW) head a ten-
lawyer team that advised Presmont Properties on its acquisition of real estate and also represented Luis Umali
Stuart on a sale of land. Other property clients include Manufacturer's Equipment & Supply Company (Mesco)
and Precision Spring Springs Manila. Victor Lazatin led a team that also advised on several major construction
projects, including advising the Takenaka Corporation on its role in the construction of the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport, and representing the Coastal Road Corporation on a joint venture to build the Manila-
Cavite Toll Expressway.
Castillo, Laman, Tan, Pantaleon & San Jose's construction clients include Greenfield Development Corporation.
Polo Pantaleon is recommended.
Palma Palma & Associates is known for its property disputes work, while Quiason Makalintal Barot Torres &
Ibarra's team acts for Rockwell Land Corporation, Ayala Property Management Corporation, Cathay Land
Corporation and Twin Towers Condominium Corporation.
Nicanor Padilla specialises in property law at Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako. The firm is particularly
active in land transfer work. Clients include Forbes Park Association.
Villaraza & Angangco is recommended for construction litigation and arbitration expertise.
Shipping
Philippines
DEL ROSARIO & DEL ROSARIO

18
Several P&I clubs operate in the Philippines, which is an active maritime centre.
Del Rosario & Del Rosario is in a league of its own for both heavyweight dry and wet shipping cases. The firm
also has broad experience of ship finance, mortgage and registration matters, as well as labour issues involving
crew. Highlights in the past year include advising the owners of vessels involved in two high-profile incidents in
Miami and the UAE respectively, both of which resulted in injury or death to crew members. Name partner
Ruben Del Rosario presides over the Philippine Maritime Voluntary Arbitrators Association; Arturo Del Rosario is
also recommended. Clients include UK P&I Club, Steamship Mutual and North of England and several major
shipowners.
Ortega Del Castillo Bacorro Odulio Calma & Carbonell's Benjamin Bacorro and Pedro Carbonell are highly
recommended. The firm acts for shipowners, crew members and P&I clubs, as well as many Filipino crewing
agencies.
Carag, Caballes, Jamora & Somera Law Offices advises on both dry and wet shipping cases. Clients include
P&I clubs such as Pandiman Philippines.
Castillo, Laman, Tan, Pantaleon & San Jose's Roberto Dio is particularly recommended for wet shipping work.
Tax
Philippines

Quisumbing Torres

Deguzman & Celis Law Office
Meer Meer & Meer
Tax work in the Philippines can be as much about negotiating with the very aggressive Bureau of Internal
Revenue (BIR) as it is about knowledge of tax law. Most of the major law firms have a tax practice, competing
19
with the large accountancy firms present in the country - Ernst & Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte &
Touche and KPMG.
Senior partner Ricardo Romulo at Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles heads a practice that
acts for a range of large multinationals. The practice advises on corporate tax planning and international
treaties. Reynaldo Geronimo has particular expertise of trusts and estates. Another tax expert, Exequiel Javier,
has taken leave from the firm to become vice-chairman of the House of Representatives' Ways and Means
Committee.
Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW)'s four-partner tax team is headed by Senen Glinoga
and Ruby Rose Yusi. Transaction highlights include advising the Bankers' Association of the Philippines on
several matters, including securities swaps.
Quisumbing Torres has particular expertise in the tax aspects of cross-border M&A transactions. The six-lawyer
practice acted for a gaming company on a US$62m tax structuring, and advised a client on the tax implications
of its acquisition of the Filipino interests of a pharmaceutical group. Jose Sandejas has a loyal following among
clients. Dennis Dimagiba is also recommended.
Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako regularly advises on corporate transactions, retirement benefit plans and
redundancy payments, and on obtaining rebates through litigation. The firm also advises on estate planning for
private clients. Practice head Jose Lis Leagogo and name partner Manuel Montecillo are recommended.
Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan partner Rolando Medalla Jr is highly respected. The practice focuses on
tax-related corporate advice, particularly to the banking sector.
Deguzman & Celis Law Office's Francisco Deguzman has a good reputation for tax planning and compliance
advice, as does Castillo, Laman, Tan, Pantaleon & San Jose's practice head Eva Policar-Bautista.
Ponce Enrile Reyes & Manalastas acts for corporate and private clients on tax planning matters. Partner
Regulus Cabote is well regarded.
Quiason Makalintal Barot Torres & Ibarra advises clients such as the Lopez group of companies, Bayan
Telecommunications, First Generation Holdings, First Gas Holdings Corporation and Shell. Wilfrido Sanchez is
well regarded for tax work.
Other firms with a good reputation for tax law include: Villaraza & Angangco; Kapunan Migallos Perez and Luna;
and Platon Martinez Flores San Pedro & Leao, where Hector Martinez is recommended.
Telecoms
Philippines

Quisumbing Torres

Meer Meer & Meer
20
Four major players dominate the Philippines telecoms sector: BayanTel, Digitel, Globe Telecoms and PLDT. The
country has good international radio, telephone and submarine cable services; domestic and inter-island
services are adequate. There are 3.2 million mainline telephones in the Philippines and 6.5 million mobile
phones.
Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW)'s three-partner telecoms practice is led by Teresita
Herbosa. The firm undertook work on several heavyweight matters for key client NEC, including negotiations
with Globe Telecoms over a US$100m submarine cable and landline project, as well as advice on a venture with
Digitel for the supply and installation of a switched telephone network venture.
Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos acts as principal legal counsel to key client SMART; transaction highlights
include advice to its subsidiary SMART Money, a mobile commerce arm, on Asia-wide transactions. PLDT and
Piltel are other major telecoms clients. Partner Erlito Fider heads the practice.
Poblador Bautista & Reyes' clients include Cable Operators, NTT Communications, the ABS-CBN Broadcasting
Corporation, Deutsche Telekom, Globe Telecom and Pacific Wireless.
Quisumbing Torres' Chris Lim represents major telecoms clients such as AT&T.
Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles' Perry Pe is highly recommended. The practice advised
Ericsson Mobile Network on equipment supply agreements to telecoms companies. Other clients include Globe
Telecoms, and Digitel and its mobile subsidiary Sun Cellular.
Villaraza & Angangco offers general commercial advice to telecoms companies as well as advising them on
restructurings and licences. Eastern Telecommunications (Philippines) Inc, France Tlcom and Teledirect
(Singapore) are major clients of the firm.
Belo Gozon Elma Parel Asuncion & Lucila Law Office provides regulatory advice to clients such as Express
Telecommunications and Sear Telecommunications.
Castillo, Laman, Tan, Pantaleon & San Jose advises US, European and Asian clients including Alcatel, Intel,
International Link and Islacom.
Meer Meer & Meer name partner Antonio Meer has wide experience of telecoms transactions.
Puno & Puno Law Offices advises clients such as Cable & Wireless and GHT Telecom Systems Inc.
Quiason Makalintal Barot Torres & Ibarra's Enrique Quiason and Miguel Damaso head a practice that advised
telecoms clients such as BayanTel, ABS-CBN Broadcasting and Sky Cable.
Clients at Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako include Ericsson, SMART Communications and Siemens. Sycip
Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan represents clients such as PLDT.
21

Aviation and Banking Legal 500 Recommendations Philippines

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Aviation and Banking Legal 500 Recommendations Philippines

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FROM LEGAL500.

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 Recommends:

Agcaoili & Associates

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 comments:

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 Recommends:

SYCIP SALAZAR HERNANDEZ & GATMAITAN

PICAZO BUYCO TAN FIDER & SANTOS

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW)

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 comments:

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 Recommends:

Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles

Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW)

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 comments:

Corporate and commercial (including M&A)

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 Recommends:

PICAZO BUYCO TAN FIDER & SANTOS

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW)

Kapunan Migallos Perez and Luna

Agcaoili & Associates

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 comments:

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 Recommends:

ANGARA ABELLO CONCEPCION REGALA & CRUZ (ACCRALAW)

ESTELITO P MENDOZA & ASSOCIATES

Castillo, Laman, Tan, Pantaleon & San Jose

Antonio R Bautista & Partners

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 comments:

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 Recommends:

Almase Suarez & Almase-Martinez Law Offices

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 comments:

Dispute resolution: Davao

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 Recommends:

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW)

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 comments:

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 Recommends:

Allen & Overy

Baker & McKenzie

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 comments:

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 Recommends:

ANGARA ABELLO CONCEPCION REGALA & CRUZ (ACCRALAW)

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 comments:

Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan's Rene Soriano is a well-known practitioner.

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 Recommends:

ANGARA ABELLO CONCEPCION REGALA & CRUZ (ACCRALAW)

Agcaoili & Associates

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 comments:

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 Recommends:

ANGARA ABELLO CONCEPCION REGALA & CRUZ (ACCRALAW)

Platon Martinez Flores San Pedro & Leao

Almase Suarez & Almase-Martinez Law Offices

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 comments:

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 Recommends:

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW)

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 comments:

Mining and natural resources

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 Recommends:

Almase Suarez & Almase-Martinez Law Offices, Cebu

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 comments:

Property and construction

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 Recommends:

Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos

Almase Suarez & Almase-Martinez Law Offices

The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 comments: