Asia Business Law Journal names the top law firms in the Philippines. Miran Lim and Emeli Zuño report

With the Philippine economy showing mixed signals in the past year, the onus on law firms has been to act swiftly on opportunities while keeping on their toes with regulatory and compliance developments, and with wider geopolitical change.

It’s a balancing act that the best firms in the Philippines have become particularly adept at, providing their clients with sound advice that keeps them ahead of the curve.

The World Bank projects the Philippine economy to grow at an average of 6% from 2024 to 2026. The risks include higher inflation and the potential impacts from global economic trends.

But opportunities have also presented themselves, for example, in the world of digital finance. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the central bank, announced plans to issue four new digital banking licences in 2025 if sufficient demand arises. Digital banking has remained a growth sector in 2024, with ongoing evaluations of stakeholders already operating in the market.

Navigating this complex landscape of opportunities and challenges requires a combination of legal prowess and specialist expertise. With this in mind, Asia Business Law Journal presents the Philippines Law Firm Awards 2024, celebrating the best legal practitioners in the country.

Six exceptional law firms were identified, with one rising to the top as Law Firm of the Year. In addition, we recognise the Best Boutique Law Firm, the Best New Law Firm and four winners of equal standing in each of the 23 categories.

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW), founded in 1972 by Edgardo J Angara and Manuel G Abello, is a full-service law firm emphasising continual lawyer training through workshops, specialisation tracks and training modules. In mid-2024, ACCRALAW introduced a trial technique training module that allows associates to gain experience before stepping into a courtroom. The firm also offers scholarships to law students from top universities and recently partnered with Khan Academy Philippines to support educational initiatives.

In 2024, ACCRALAW, together with a UK-based international law firm, represented a Malaysian petroleum company in Singapore in a dispute involving a Philippine energy sector member. The case centred on whether Philippine law on excussion applied to letters of guarantee in transactions governed by Singapore law.

The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) ruled in favour of the Malaysian client, and the award was confirmed by the Singapore International Commercial Court despite objections from the Philippine entity. The court dismissed the Philippine entity’s proceedings to invalidate the award and issued a permanent anti-suit injunction, making this a decision on guaranty and excussion in international arbitration.

ACCRALAW also represents the country’s biggest power utility in arbitration cases against its contestable customers. These disputes stemmed from fuel cost recovery adjustments in response to global fuel price increases. The customers argue that their retail electricity supply agreements specified fixed prices and are contesting the adjustment charges, amounting to at least USD23.8 million.

This dispute has involved key industry parties and raised issues such as the authority of the Energy Regulatory Commission to interpret retail electricity supply agreements, the commission’s jurisdiction versus arbitration, and whether global material price spikes constitute a fundamental change in circumstances. The case is significant as the outcome could potentially set a precedent.

Jazel Calvo-Cariño, legal director at Sanofi Philippines, a global healthcare company with an office in Metro Manila, praises the law firm.

“ACCRALAW has been our partner in helping us understand complex and novel legal issues in the midst of complicated litigation,” says Calvo-Cariño. “In proposing legal strategy to their clients, the team always makes sure to understand their business and what would be in the best interest of the client in the long run.

“There is a balance of superior legal competence and a pragmatic approach in providing legal counsel that makes ACCRALAW an ideal external legal partner that I can count on.”

Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia is a full-service firm led by newly elected managing partner Patricia Bunye, effective from 1 January 2025.

The firm invests in its team by sending lawyers to conferences, workshops and training sessions. It regularly holds meetings to discuss legal developments and train new lawyers, and frequently hosts webinars on current legal issues.

“I do not think there is a single deal or significant development that I can point to for 2024,” says Bunye. “In all our work, whether on high-stakes cases or routine matters, our lawyers are committed to delivering results with excellence and dedication. As a relatively young firm [established in 2013, with the heritage of an older established practice], we have achieved much due to the collective efforts of all our departments and practice areas.

“We are starting 2025 on a high note, with many new engagements and 18 new lawyers, our largest ‘incoming class’ to date. With the entire firm’s co-operation, we are looking forward to another good year.”

In May 2024, Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia hosted the Seminar-Workshop on the New York Convention and Investment State Arbitration, organised by the Philippine Institute of Arbitrators and the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, drawing foreign and local arbitration practitioners.

The firm assisted SpaceX, an American space technology company, and Starlink, an international satellite internet constellation, in entering the Philippine market by advising on investment structures, regulatory risks and compliance requirements. The introduction of Starlink provided a new player in the local telecoms sector, especially benefitting areas with inconsistent traditional infrastructure, which is an ideal development for the Philippine archipelago.

Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia also counselled Unilever, a British multinational consumer goods company, and its Philippine subsidiaries on regulatory compliance and tax-saving strategies to reduce costs. It secured approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission for the merger of Unilever Philippines and Metrolab Industries, a pharmaceutical company in General Trias City with assets totalling PHP471 million (USD8.1 million).

Puyat Jacinto & Santos (PJS Law) was established in 1997 by Dave Puyat, Regina Jacinto-Barrientos and Roy Santos, and is marking 27 years as a comprehensive law firm in the legal industry. In March 2023, the firm announced its combination with Dentons, a global law firm.

PJS Law is regarded for its expertise in energy practice, covering both renewable and conventional energy. Dovetailing from its advisory work for feed-in tariff renewable energy projects, the firm advises investors, project financing lenders and developers in connection with solar, wind, and hydro power projects participating in the Department of Energy’s green energy auctions. The firm also advises a major infrastructure developer and operator in relation to its gas aggregation strategy, including transaction and regulatory advisory for the use of LNG terminals.

In the aviation sector, PJS Law advised the Asian Development Bank and the Department of Transportation on the public tender and successful awarding for the rehabilitation, expansion, operation and maintenance of Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. The project was handed over to the winning bidder in September 2024.

Frank Thiel, managing director of Quezon Power Philippines, a power plant operator in Mauban, Quezon province, says he finds PJS to be “very customer- focused and responsive”.

“We have had to ask for their support several times on short notice and they have always accommodated our requests very well,” says Thiel. “Their detailed knowledge of the energy sector and its multiple regulations shows time and again in the briefs and opinions that they draft. I tend to rely extensively on their opinions and expertise.”

He adds: “They spent many hours side by side with our team to ensure that the bid package was done properly. It was.”

Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & De Los Angeles (Romulo), founded in 1902, is a full-service law firm that focused on deals in the past year, “which we believe Southeast Asian law firms should focus on more”, says Romulo senior partner Perry Pe. “They are healthcare, fintech/digital banking, basic industries like cement, steel and petrochemical, gaming resorts, data centres, renewable energy, retail and consumer banking, all for tighter Asean co-operation, most especially with the growth prospects for Asean’s VIP [Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines].”

In fintech and digital banking. Romulo handled the merger of the Philippine Clearing House Corporation (PCHC) and Bancnet, with Bancnet as the surviving entity. The PCHC is a clearing house for the country’s payment processes like cheques, notes, trades etc., while Bancnet is the country’s ATM and digital banking processor. The deal is expected to close later in 2025, and is viewed as important for combatting bank forgeries and fraud.

In the healthcare sector, Romulo advised the Montoya family in the sale of their HMO MediCard to the AIA Group. The law firm also represented St Luke’s hospital, and all hospitals under the Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, as well as private hospitals like Medical City. The firm represented pharmaceutical firms such as Pfizer and Sanofi, and medical supply distributor and services providers like Zuellig Pharma.

In the area of data centres, Romulo advised on the Antunez family’s sale of its entire business to Nasdaq-listed Equinix Group in a deal due to close in March 2025. The firm also handled the merger of two telecoms tower companies, Philippine Tower Consortium and Miescor Infrastructure Development, and associated financing.

Romulo advised Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) in its application for wind energy in the country, assisting CIP with the regulatory process leading to a grant by the Department of Energy of renewable energy service contracts for greenfield onshore and offshore wind power projects in the Philippines from 2022 to 2025. The Philippines has liberalised its nationality restrictions in the exploration, development and utilisation of renewable energy resources. The projects are located in the San Miguel Bay offshore wind power area in Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, in the eastern Philippines.

Romulo also recently appointed Jose Buenaventura as its new chairman, effective from 26 October 2024.

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (SyCipLaw), established in 1945, is one of the largest law firms in the Philippines, with 44 partners and more than 70 associates. While its primary focus is business law, the firm offers a range of legal services including family relations and constitutional issues.

“In the past 12 months, the most significant development for SyCipLaw has been our role in the acquisition of Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc (CCBPI) by Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP). This transaction was recognised as the M&A Deal of the Year, underscoring its importance in the Philippine corporate landscape,” says Hector M de Leon Jr, SyCipLaw’s managing partner.

The firm advised AEV and CCEP in their joint acquisition of 100% of CCBPI from its parent company, the Coca-Cola Company. “This high-profile deal not only signifies a major strategic move for both AEV and CCEP but also reflects SyCipLaw’s expertise in handling complex mergers and acquisitions,” says de Leon. “The M&A team, led by partner Arlene M Maneja … demonstrated exceptional skill in navigating the intricacies of this transaction. Additionally, the firm’s involvement in the financing of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Project … further highlights SyCipLaw’s capability in managing large-scale infrastructure projects.

“We represented a consortium of lenders in providing secured term loan facilities totalling PHP80 billion (USD1.4 billion) for the rehabilitation and expansion of the country’s main international airport, highlighting our expertise in project finance. Senior partner Vicente D Gerochi IV led the finance team.”

De Leon says these landmark deals not only reinforce SyCipLaw’s position as a leading law firm in the Philippines but also illustrate the firm’s commitment to supporting significant developments that contribute to the country’s economic growth and infrastructure advancement.

SyCipLaw in 2024 also reaffirmed its commitment to community service by entering an engagement agreement with the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines to provide pro bono corporate services.

The firm also recently conducted a seminar for the in-house counsel of MVP Group, a Philippine group of companies providing services in telecoms, power, water and healthcare among others, titled “Future Proofing Your Company: Understanding the Implications of Carbon Transition”.

Founded in 1980 by Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio and F Arthur “Pancho” Villaraza, Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) is a full-service law firm with expertise in litigation, IP and corporate and commercial law. Over the years, V&A Law has tackled a range of cases, from defending abused children pro bono to handling one of the largest tort cases in the Philippines to date, to pivotal roles in high-stakes corporate disputes, landmark rehabilitation cases, public interest cases, and even the breakup of monopolies.

In February 2024, global consumer goods company Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and Philippine conglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines from affiliates of American multinational beverage firm the Coca-Cola Company through a joint venture. A V&A Law team led by partners Kristin Charisse C Siao and Mandy Therese M Anderson served as local counsel for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, overseeing all legal matters related to the transaction.

In April, Juanito L Sañosa Jr rejoined V&A Law as a senior partner after his tenure as president and COO of the government-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation in Manila. His experience in corporate law and regulatory compliance enhances the firm’s capabilities.

Meghna Gupta, labour and employment counsel at Uber India, a multinational transportation company with an office in Haryana, lauds V&A Law. “V&A has been instrumental for us in handling employment matters in the Philippines,” says Gupta. “They have always provided insightful guidance on complex labour and employment legal issues with dedication and expertise.”

Law firm awards

BEST BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM

DU-BALADAD AND ASSOCIATES

Du-Baladad and Associates (BDB Law), founded in July 2008, specialises in tax, legal and consulting services. It is a member of WTS Global, a global group of tax firms operating in 100 countries. This year the firm celebrated its 15th anniversary by holding a tax forum with speakers and panellists including key Philippine government officials.

BDB Law also launched the Global Transfer Pricing Resource Centre. The centre, powered by international transfer pricing database TP Catalyst, offers robust support for BEPS (base erosion and profit shifting) compliance, audit preparation and policy formulation. Serving clients across the Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Americas, the centre helps BDB Law build its reputation as a specialist on transfer pricing.

BDB Law’s commitment to corporate social responsibility is evident through initiatives by the BDB Law Foundation. This year, the foundation constructed school buildings and clinics in Quezon province, distributed supplies to underserved communities, and expanded its scholarship programme with local state colleges and universities.

Law firm awards

BEST NEW LAW FIRM

TAYAG NGOCHUA & CHU

Established in 2022, Tayag Ngochua & Chu (TNC) is an independent Philippine law firm led by Carlos Martin Tayag, Patricia Cristina Tan Ngochua and Allan Christopher Sy Chu. With more than 40 years of combined experience, they specialise in M&A, joint ventures, corporate restructuring, foreign investment, banking and consumer lending, data privacy, technology, antitrust and compliance.

TNC offers a full range of corporate and commercial legal advisory services and serves as adviser to local and multinational clients.

In February, the firm formed an alliance with Japan’s Mori Hamada & Matsumoto to offer Asean legal advice, particularly on domestic M&A and post-entry compliance. Despite the alliance, TNC remains independent.

Before founding TNC, both Tayag and Ngochua were partners at Romulo, while Chu served as general counsel for Paloo Financing and Cashalo.

Tao Koon Chiam, director at Ashurst ADTLaw in Singapore, says: “TNC has been really helpful to us on our cross-border M&A transactions across industries but in particular in the energy transition space.

“We have been working with the team for several years now and can always rely on their attention to detail, clear understanding of the law and practical solutions in dealing with issues that arise. TNC is a boutique firm but they have all the necessary parts of a full corporate practice that meets our requirements for M&A transactions in the Philippines.”

Poblador Bautista & Reyes (PBR) is a full-service law firm with expertise in litigation, commercial arbitration, corporate law, real estate, IP, media, telecoms, antitrust, insurance, banking, insolvency, family law, taxation and immigration.

Founding partner Alexander Poblador, who serves as chairman of the executive committee, also sits on the boards of various corporations, including San Miguel, and is a member of the Philippine International Centre for Conflict Resolution.

PBR’s dispute resolution pedigree is impressive. The firm has handled major cases in commercial arbitration and defended corporate clients in industry sectors including power and energy; oil and gas; transport; infrastructure; and broadcasting. Politically the firm has defended and prosecuted presidents, senators and judges.

PBR clients include San Miguel Corp, Petron Corp, the San Miguel Global Power group, ABS-CBN Corp, Sky Cable Corp, the First Philippine Holdings group, National Grid Corp, Ayala Land, Global Estates Resorts, Mercury Drug, Malayan Insurance, Greenfield Development Corp, Manila Water, Metro Rail Transit Corp, and Levi Strauss & Co.

The firm celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024, and relocated to the 34th floor of the Enterprise Centre on Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

Agcaoili & Associates serves corporations across sectors including aircraft finance, advertising, chemicals, healthcare and real estate development. Acting as correspondent counsel for numerous law firms in the US, Europe and Asia, Agcaoili & Associates has global reach and influence.

Jose Luis V Agcaoili, managing partner of the firm since April 2001, brings a wealth of experience and expertise, particularly in aviation and aircraft finance. His background in the legal industry is underscored by a robust practice in aircraft finance and leasing, alongside other areas such as banking, corporate law and dispute resolution.

Agcaoili also serves as chief of staff at the Philippine Senate, where he is engaged in legislative research and policy formulation. As an active member of the legal community, he has served in various capacities within the Philippine Bar Association.

The firm provides a range of legal services to diverse clients including local and international banks and financial institutions.

Ocampo Manalo Valdez & Lim consulted on new products for Cathay Pacific and Qatar Airways, and managed the acquisition of carriers AirSwift and SkyJet. The firm provides legal advice to carriers including Turkish Airlines, Xiamen Air, AirAsia, Jeju Air, Air Seoul and Shenzen Airlines.

The firm was also consulted for new product lines for Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways and Emirates, and is handling an incident for Korean Air.

For more than 20 years, Ocampo Manalo has also offered expertise in banking, finance, corporate/M&A, energy, IT, labour, real estate, taxation and transportation.

This year, the firm promoted Juan Victor Valdez to senior partner. Valdez leads the firm in managing litigation and arbitration for international and domestic clients across various legal areas including aviation, corporate, civil, criminal, labour, IP, tax and administrative cases.

While PunoLaw is well known for its expertise in the energy sector, it is evolving as a major player in aviation, successfully representing foreign air carriers in obtaining regulatory approvals from the Civil Aeronautics Board and the Air Transportation Office for passenger and cargo flights, and secured a five-year extension for a foreign air carrier permit. The firm also represented a foreign air carrier in negotiations for code-sharing arrangements with a Philippine airline.

PunoLaw has handled business setup and regulatory approvals including negotiating aircraft lease, maintenance and ground-handling agreements for several domestic airline companies. The firm has advised companies in aircraft maintenance and ground-handling services, and represented a creditor bank in due diligence for aircraft purchases and leases. PunoLaw currently represents foreign air carriers in judicial actions relating to passenger claims.

PunoLaw is a full-service law firm with expertise in energy, transactional, litigation, corporate and regulatory areas. The firm advises domestic and international clients, and has been involved in major complex deals in the past year.

In August 2024, managing partner Roderico V Puno was elected chair of the Energy Lawyers Association of the Philippines.

Picazo Buyco Tan Fider and Santos (PicazoLaw) serves as counsel for several banks and financial institutions in the Philippines, and specialises in negotiations and documentation for loan and financing transactions, including syndicated loans, project finance and corporate notes and bonds.

These transactions often involve top-tier Philippine companies and major Philippine and foreign banks, as well as multilateral lending institutions, and sovereign guarantee and export credit agencies.

The firm was founded in 1987 by Antonio Picazo, Antonio Bautista, Purisimo Buyco and Silverio Benny Tan after leaving another Makati-based law firm. Starting with 16 lawyers and offices in Makati City and Quezon City, the firm operated in both locations for a decade. In 1998, the Quezon City partners separated, and by 2018 PicazoLaw had grown to 78 lawyers.

Gulapa & Lim’s (Gulapa Law) strength lies in the experience of its founding partner in competition and antitrust law, gained through his prior work in New York and Tokyo.

This expertise gives the firm an edge among Philippine law firms in interpreting the Competition Act and the regulations of the Competition Commission, which are heavily influenced by US and EU law.

One of Gulapa Law’s achievements this year includes advising Megawide Construction Corporation, an engineering and infrastructure firm in Metro Manila, in its acquisition of shares from PH1 World Developers, a property development company in Metro Manila.

Gulapa Law handled the preparation of the definitive agreements, assisted with closing requirements, and obtained a certification of non-coverage from the Philippine Competition Commission to exempt the transaction from compulsory notification under the Competition Act.

Since its establishment in 2015, Gulapa Law has expanded from an initial team of six lawyers to 40 legal professionals.

Quisumbing Torres’ corporate and commercial/M&A lawyers collaborate closely with specialists in competition, data privacy, foreign investment and other commercial areas, ensuring that all legal and regulatory aspects of a transaction are addressed, reducing risks and providing a comprehensive service.

At the helm of the firm is Ramon Quisumbing, a specialist in dispute resolution and a member of the firm’s industrial, manufacturing and transportation industry group who has represented multinational companies including the Dow Chemical Company, Cisco, Budget Rental, Occidental Chemical, Taisei, TeleTech, AT&T, Agilent, Steelcase and Intel, among others.

Quisumbing Torres has been advising business organisations in the Philippines since 1963. With a team of more than 60 lawyers, the full-service firm offers expertise in banking and finance, corporate and commercial, dispute resolution, employment, immigration, IP and tax. The firm is connected with Baker & McKenzie International.

In June 2024, Quisumbing Torres promoted Lara Camille A Lee and Patrick Henry D Salazar to partners. Lee specialises in corporate transactions and competition law, while Salazar focuses on labour and employment law.

In antitrust enforcement and compliance, Sarmiento Loriega Law Office (SL Law) advises clients on whether their business models such as tying, bundling, exclusivity rebates or loyalty rewards schemes comply with competition regulations.

The firm also provides guidance on conduct for conglomerates with dominant market positions. For multinational companies with ties to the Philippines facing antitrust issues, SL Law utilises an international network of lawyers to manage cross-border implications effectively.

In 2024, senior partner Bryan San Juan was again designated by experts of the World Bank in its global project to improve business regulatory regimes. San Juan was also consulted by the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in its review of the Philippine merger control regime.

Established in 2020, SL Law is a full-service firm led by co-managing partners Maria Elizabeth E Peralta-Loriega and Julito R Sarmiento.

In January 2024, DivinaLaw provided expert legal counsel to a healthcare customer experience provider following a cyber fraud attack involving AI and deepfake technologies. The firm conducted a forensic investigation, ensured compliance with the Philippine Data Privacy Act, and recommended steps to prosecute the perpetrators and enhance security measures.

Later in the year, the firm successfully defended a top local bank in an investigation by the National Privacy Commission concerning an alleged hacking incident. By presenting robust legal arguments and highlighting the inadmissibility of key documents and insufficient evidence, DivinaLaw secured a favourable decision on 5 June, leading to dismissal of the case.

DivinaLaw is a fast-growing law firm in the Philippines with 98 lawyers, four underbar associates and 98 staff members.

In the past year, the firm strengthened its litigation practice by welcoming new partners Jacqueline O Lopez-Kaw and Mary Jude C Marvel. DivinaLaw achieved a 100% pass rate in the 2023 bar examinations, with all five underbars passing.

Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra (Gorriceta), established in 2015, is a full-service law firm specialising in corporate and commercial law, M&A, banking and finance, taxation and data privacy, as well as technology, media and telecoms.

Gorriceta currently serves as an expert and instructor under the US Agency for International Development’s Project Beacon, an initiative launched by the US government to enhance digital connectivity in the Philippines. The firm provides training on data privacy and cybersecurity to more than 912 officials of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, addressing the recent wave of cyberattacks on government IT infrastructure.

The firm comprises nearly 50 professionals and a total staff of 100. Through its partner, Yusarn Audrey, an IP law firm based in Singapore, Gorriceta has extended its presence to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

In the fintech sector, Sy & Partners recently advised CIMB Bank, a digital bank with its main office located in Kuala Lumpur. This engagement included assistance in establishing the bank as a commercial branch, securing a secondary licence and ensuring regulatory compliance. Sy & Partners also provided various advisory services, such as contract reviews with business counterparts and analysis of bank products, in line with CIMB Bank’s goal to be the first in the Philippines to implement cashless digital retail and consumer banking.

Sy & Partners is currently advising a Southeast Asian fintech company on its proposed acquisition of a rural bank in the Philippines to streamline its operations.

Sy & Partners joined the network of Nishimura & Asahi, an international law firm headquartered in Japan, in 2023. The partnership reflects its commitment to delivering exceptional legal services by combining local expertise with global reach.

Vasig Abarquez Lumauig Abarquez Puno Law Offices (VAL Law) represents WeFund Lending Corporation, a financial institution in Pasig City and a subsidiary of the New York Stock Exchange-listed FinVolution Group. WeFund has innovated microloans in the Philippines with its local online loan app JuanHand, which has been downloaded by millions.

VAL Law’s involvement includes providing regulatory defence before the National Privacy Commission, successfully lifting a temporary data processing ban and achieving case dismissal. This case involved novel data privacy issues.

VAL Law has built a strong network by partnering with international firms such as Bayfront Law and DFDL in Singapore, Horizons Corporate Advisory in Italy and Hong Kong, and Nishimura & Asahi in Japan. These partnerships have allowed VAL Law to help international clients enter new markets and establish itself as a trusted adviser in global transactions.

The firm’s expertise earned it an invitation as the only Philippine law firm delegate at the 2024 Philippines-Singapore Business & Investment Summit.

The Hechanova Group consists of two main entities: Hechanova & Co, a consulting firm specialising in IP protection and other non-contentious IP work; and Hechanova Bugay Vilchez & Andaya-Racadio, a law firm with extensive experience in contentious IP work.

In a recent deign infringement case, Hechanova Group represented Alpargatas, a footwear manufacturing company in São Paolo, in a petition to cancel an industrial design registration for the design “SLIPPER”.

The Bureau of Legal Affairs initially granted the petition, but the respondent, King G Ong, president of Kentex, a manufacturing company in Metro Manila, filed a motion for reconsideration. The firm then filed a motion for execution of the decision and opposed the motion for reconsideration.

Subsequently, both parties reached a settlement agreement. Recently, a consolidated motion to resolve the case based on this agreement was filed. The Bureau of Legal Affairs approved the settlement agreement, finding it lawful and not contrary to public policy.

Federis & Associates Law Offices (Federis) specialises in IP law. For more than 30 years it has served international brands and large corporations.

In recognition of its achievements, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) awarded Federis the Top Industrial Design Agent at the 2024 Gawad Yamang Isip Awards, an award in the Philippines presented by the IPOPHL and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) acknowledging individuals and organisations for their contributions to innovation, creativity and business.

Additionally, Federis assisted the WIPO in mentoring Filipino enterprises in optimising IP management strategies and expanding into Asean markets.

This year, Federis implemented automation and machine learning to enhance efficiency. It added an online docketing system and is migrating all files to cloud storage. AI-powered software is also being used to streamline operations, allowing its team to focus on improving service quality.

Founded in 1901, Siguion Reyna, Montecillo & Ongsiako is one of the oldest law firms in the Philippines and offers full-service legal support for businesses covering dispute resolution, M&A, project finance and labour relations.

The firm excels in managing employer-employee disputes, including collective bargaining, strike handling, labour litigation and arbitration. It also has experience in collective bargaining negotiations and certification election proceedings for major corporations including: Philippine Long Distance Telephone, a telecoms company in Makati City; Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines; San Miguel Food, a food and beverage company in Pasig City; and Coastal Subic Bay Terminal, a petroleum product facility in Subic Bay.

Siguion Reyna also advises on labour standards, occupational health and safety, and labour relations. The firm conducts labour and employment seminars for managers, equipping them with the essential knowledge to navigate workplace challenges effectively.

  • GULAPA & LIM
  • PUNOLAW
  • PUYAT JACINTO & SANTOS
  • SARMIENTO LORIEGA LAW FIRM

Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) recently advised Ayala Land, a real estate development company in Makati City, on real estate transactions, and assisting an economic zone operator in acquiring an industrial estate. It conducts due diligence for an energy company, and guides international firms, including a Japanese property consultancy and a Spanish group, on their investments in Philippine real estate.

C&G Law provides advisory and transactional services in land and real estate development, including navigating restrictions on special property classes, land-use conversion issues and housing project regulations. It assists clients in acquiring and preserving real property titles and interests.

This full-service law firm specialises in corporate and commercial transactions, litigation, arbitration, taxation, and labour and employment. Established in February 2007 by six experienced lawyers, the firm has grown to more than 40 partners and associates.

Martinez Vergara & Gonzalez Sociedad’s (MVGS) head of its restructuring and insolvency group, Erika Paulino, has expertise in investment structuring, business operations in the Philippines, and post-acquisition integration.

Her recent work includes advising on acquisitions in the renewable energy sector and representing international clients in high-value financial transactions. These transactions include USD70 million project financing for a tower company, a PHP7 billion (USD119.6 million) loan facility for the Widus Group, a hotel and casino developer in Clark, and financing for a major water utility company’s modernisation project.

In October 2021, MVGS joined Drew Network Asia, an alliance of top Southeast Asian law firms including Drew & Napier from Singapore, Makarim & Taira S from Indonesia, and Shearn Delamore & Co from Malaysia.

MVGS is a full-service law firm offering advice in banking and finance, capital markets, M&A, projects and energy, IP, litigation and dispute resolution, labour and employment, and immigration.

Since 1977, Del Rosario & Del Rosario Law Offices (Del Rosario Law) has been a leader in shipping and transport in the Philippines. It represents international shipowners and their protection and indemnity (P&I) clubs in labour issues, collisions, oil spills, cargo disputes, ship sales, financing and registrations.

On 2 August 2024, partners Joseph Rebano and Florencio Aquino, along with Edgardo Del Rosario, medical director at Del Rosario Pandiphil, a specialised maritime legal firm in Makati City, presented to Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance, an insurance company in Tokyo. They covered mental health claims, the Amended Migrant Workers Act, crew claims, and the anticipated Magna Carta for Filipino seafarers.

Integral to the firm’s success are co-managing partners Arturo “Johnny” Del Rosario and Ruben Del Rosario, both of whom are distinguished leaders in maritime law. Under Ruben Del Rosario’s guidance, the firm and its affiliate, Del Rosario Pandiphil, have become trusted representatives for P&I clubs, marine insurers and shipping companies.

Arturo Del Rosario brings nearly 50 years of experience in maritime, labour and international law. His reliability and proficiency have established him as a leading figure in managing complex and high-stakes maritime cases.

Ortega Bacorro Odulio Calma & Carbonell’s (OCBOCC) admiralty and maritime practice is extensive. The firm handles collision, allusion, attachment, ship arrest, foreclosure, pollution, pier damage, underwater cable issues, fish coral cases, and seafarer claims for death, illness or disability.

It also deals with cargo claims, general averages and vessel registrations before the courts, and various administrative bodies like the Board of Marine Inquiry, the Maritime Industry Authority, the National Labour Relations Commission and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. The firm also handles P&I cases.

OCBOCC is a full-service law firm offering services including corporate and commercial law, international business transactions, IP, technology transfers, litigation, labour management relations, taxation, aviation law, estates and trusts, media law, immigration, and family law.

Founded by Valeriano Del Rosario in 1949, Del Rosario Raboca Gonzales Grasparil, commonly known as VeraLaw, evolved from a solo practice into a firm specialising in services including maritime and admiralty law, insurance, IP law, litigation and alternative dispute resolution, and corporate law.

Staff, lawyers and clients recently celebrated the law firm’s 75th anniversary at an event at the Manila Polo Club in Makati on 26 November.

As one of the frontrunners in maritime law, the firm is recognised for its proficiency in vessel operations, maritime contracts, marine insurance, maritime personal injury, maritime environmental law, and salvage and towage.

On 23 December 2023, the vessel Target 13 ran aground near Panguan Island in the Philippines but was quickly refloated and found undamaged by the Philippine Coast Guard. It was, however, detained by authorities for alleged coral reef damage and illegal entry, leading to administrative and criminal charges.

VeraLaw represented the vessel’s interests, negotiating a 70% reduction in the settlement to PHP4.5 million and securing the dismissal of all charges against the crew and owners. The legal team ensured the vessel’s swift departure, completing the process faster than expected.

Baniqued & Bello (B&B) engages primarily in tax law, with experience in corporate and commercial law. It specialises in corporate and international taxation, advising clients on strategic tax planning for major cross-border transactions, choosing business vehicles and identifying tax-efficient measures and structures.

B&B serves as special tax counsel for M&A, joint ventures, corporate restructurings, energy and infrastructure projects, and sophisticated tax planning. It also represents clients in tax investigations and litigation before judicial, quasi-judicial and administrative bodies.

In addition, B&B co-founder Carlos Baniqued has represented the country’s four largest tollway operators in challenging the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s retroactive application of the value-added tax on tollways. He has assisted high-net-worth individuals and families with their estate planning, and advised and represented several business conglomerates in disputes related to tax assessments, refund claims, and other issues arising under the National Internal Revenue Code and other tax laws of the Philippines.

Ocampo & Suralvo Law Offices (OS Law) handles corporate, commercial and tax needs for its clients, including company establishment, contract negotiation, M&A, joint ventures, corporate restructuring and litigation.

The firm collaborates with DFDL, an international law firm focused on Asia’s emerging economies, to provide clients with access to tax and legal expertise in many of the world’s investment destinations.

To highlight the firm’s leadership, partner Jude Ocampo, a Philippine attorney with more than two decades of experience, has assisted numerous multinationals with multi-jurisdictional reorganisations and complex M&A.

Karen Ocampo, a fellow partner, has extensive tax law experience, ranging from tax planning and advisory to tax controversy and advocacy. Her international experience includes working in the tax and legal departments of the top four accounting firms abroad, including roles at Deloitte Kazakhstan and Ernst & Young Cambodia, where she provided investment counselling, corporate tax advice and international structuring assistance to domestic and multinational clients.

Founded in May 2000, Disini & Disini provides comprehensive legal support in foreign investment, technology, corporate practice and litigation.

The firm has also been involved with various transactions including IPOs, M&A, insurance, banking, finance, securities, employment, labour relations, immigration, media, entertainment, real estate, tax, telecoms and IP issues, as well as arbitration and litigation.

In the past 20 years, the firm has advised on various large and small IT projects in the private and public sectors. Recent projects include: assisting an AI company with government projects to manage the covid-19 crisis; drafting terms and contracts for a lending platform; advising on digital workflows for client credit arrangements; drafting proof-of-concept arrangements for financial institutions; and preparing end-user licence agreements for AI products.

THE JUDGING PROCESS

THE JUDGING PROCESS

Winners of Asia Business Law Journal’s Philippines Law Firm Awards 2024 were selected based on the votes, references and qualitative information received from in-house counsel and other legal professionals in the Philippines and around the world.

A voting form was posted on our website, inviting thousands of in-house counsel, lawyers at international law firms and other Philippine-focused professionals to vote. At the same time, Philippine law firms were asked to make submissions in support of their candidacy for the awards.

These submissions, combined with research by Asia Business Law Journal’s editorial team, played a supporting role in the judging process.

All Philippine law firms were automatically eligible for inclusion in the awards process. As always, there were no fees or any other requirements for entry.

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