The Philippines

ACCRALAW is a market leader with the capability to handle a vast range of complex and high-value disputes. The firm has a strong track record of acting on high-profile commercial litigation, employment and regulatory disputes. The firm is well equipped to tackle complex alternative dispute resolution, with a prominent capability for handling international arbitration matters.

Victor Lazatin and Leland Villadolid Jr are star litigators in the market covering commercial disputes, Patricia-Ann Prodigalidad is noted for her construction and IP expertise, while Oliver Pantaleon specialises in energy and tax matters. Managing partner Emerico Guzman is a well-known labour and employment specialist.

The firm’s team is advising Manila Electric Company and an affiliate, Vantage Energy Solutions and Management, in an ongoing dispute over the imposition of fuel cost recovery adjustments on several contestable customers covered by their respective retail electricity supply (RES) agreements. The dispute is significant due to the large amount of money and the notable parties involved in the industry. In addition, the unique issues surrounding the dispute make it a landmark decision as it will determine the Energy Regulatory Commission’s authority to interpret a RES, the exclusivity of its jurisdiction over RES interpretation, and whether changes in raw material availability can be considered a fundamental change in circumstance.

Bank of the Philippine Islands, Chevron Philippines, Manila Electric Company, Smartmatic Philippines and Titan Dragon Properties Corporation instructed the firm during the research period.

Client feedback
“They provide comprehensive legal services with expert lawyers.” – Commercial arbitration

“ACCRALAW generally provides quick and practical advice, taking into account business objectives.” – Labour and employment

“Very good on special projects and tax. Strong position, very responsive, and fast response.” – Tax

“Thorough research and comprehensive advice on current trends, issues and strategy.” – Tax

Erwin Jay Filio
"Articulates the facts of the case and the implications of the available choices effectively."

Emiterio Manibog
“He provides practical advice and is very accessible.”

Andre Philippe Ramos
“Good knowledge of labour law and detail-oriented.”

Eric Recalde
“Very quick to respond and has a very thorough knowledge of subject matter and effective strategies.”

Led by Simeon Marcelo, Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia is highly regarded in the dispute resolution field with solid expertise in the areas of commercial and transactions, intellectual property and alternative dispute resolution. The firm is singled out for its remarkable track record of acting on high-profile public interest and pro bono cases. It serves large domestic and international corporations across a range of industries including government, insurance, consumer goods and services and energy.

Miguel Silos is noted for his commercial and tax disputes expertise while John Jerico Balisnomo is active in government and regulatory litigation. IP partner Susan Villanueva is another key name to note.

The firm's IP team achieved a successful defence in the field of intellectual property in the case of a trademark application by Green Cross (GCI) for the renowned brand ’Greenex’. The opposition, brought by the Heirs of Gonzalo Co, contested GCI's trademark application for the Greenex mark, asserting ownership rights over GCI's name and the Green Cross' mark. The opposers argued that Green Cross bore a confusing similarity to the Greenex mark. However, both the Hearing Officer of the Bureau of Legal Affairs and, upon appeal, the BLA director ruled in favour of the firm's client, affirming the registrability of the Greenex mark.

Some of the firm’s recent clients are Fiberworld, Fundacion Sansó, Manulife, Oceanic Empire and Vice Cosmetics Group.

Client feedback

Divina Gracia Pedron
"Displays a deep understanding of the art sector, while being highly communicative, helpful, and genuinely concerned with addressing our specific needs."

A debut entry into this edition of Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific, Dime & Eviota Law Firm is active in commercial and transactions. Following the economic devastation of the pandemic, the firm often finds itself assisting in the restructuring of companies. Partners Ronald Dime and Juan Carlos Garcia helm the firm’s dispute resolution practice.

Recent work highlights include advising Dornier Technology and International Airlines Group in a commercial litigation case filed by Berthaphil; and representing a start-up engaged in providing sustainability and energy efficiency-related services in a US 1.3 arbitration involving convertible notes.

Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) – a member firm of Rajah & Tann Asia – has a strong domestic and international arbitration practice. The firm’s litigation experience covers a diverse range of subjects, such as contractual disputes, product liability, tax and enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards.

Ben Dominic Yap, managing partner of the firm, specialises in litigation and arbitration with expertise in corporate and energy matters. Other key contacts include Jesus Paolo Protacio – a specialist in civil and commercial litigation as well as labour, criminal and general disputes – and tax specialist Anthony Mark Gutierrez.

In an ongoing commercial dispute, the firm is representing Giga Ace 4 in a lawsuit to recover a substantial sum of more than PHP228 million ($4 million) under an insurance policy. This case holds significant importance due to the substantial claim amount and the involvement of entities from two of the Philippines' largest conglomerates, with Giga Ace 4 being part of the Ayala Group of Companies and Malayan being part of the Yuchengco Group of Companies.

Aice Brands Ice Cream Philippines, Metro Rail Transit Corporation, Standard Chartered Bank, STEAG State Power and TeaM Energy Corporation worked with the firm in the past 12 months.

Client feedback
"Delivers excellent drafting of documents such as pleadings, letters, contracts, etc, along with exceptional legal advice." – Energy

"Communicates clearly and efficiently." – Labour and employment

"Effectively manages litigation within budget while demonstrating exceptional commercial and legal acumen." – Labour and employment

Vladi Miguel Lazaro
“He is well versed on the subject-matter of our industry (energy sector), he is very articulate, and he explains complex matters very well. He pays attention to details, meets even very tight deadlines and is very accessible.”

“He is very knowledgeable and commercially minded.”

Founded in 1994, Poblador Bautista & Reyes is a top-tier firm in dispute resolution and its partners are recognised as star litigators in the country. The firm has extensive experience in the fields of commercial litigation and arbitration, government and regulatory, insolvency and intellectual property. It is a go-to firm for big-ticket litigation as well as international arbitration, notably active in the energy and infrastructure sectors.  

Alexander Poblador, Gilbert Raymund Reyes, Mario Luza Bautista and Dino Vivencio Tamayo are recommended for their commercial and regulatory disputes expertise, while Bautista and Tamayo are also noted for their respective experience in insolvency and intellectual property.

In the realm of government and regulatory affairs, the firm undertook the representation of South Premier Power and San Miguel Energy Corporation, successfully securing price adjustments in two crucial power supply agreements that directly impact electricity supply in the greater Metro Manila area. This case holds immense significance, as it affects approximately 7.5 million consumers of electricity in Metro Manila and beyond, while also addressing the repercussions of elevated coal prices resulting from the coal export ban and the Russian invasion of Ukraine on electricity production. The widely reported nature of this case garnered substantial attention from the Philippine press and media.

The firm’s recent client roster also includes San Miguel Aerocity, Shopee Philippines and SMC MRT-7.

Puyat Jacinto & Santos (PJS Law) demonstrates comprehensive expertise across civil, commercial and criminal litigation. It is noted for its extensive corporate and government administrative bodies client base. It boasts a suite of lawyers with direct experience in alternative dispute resolution including domestic and international arbitration and mediation. The firm is also committed to taking on pro bono instructions.

Key practitioners include Roy Enrico Santos, Joshua Gilbert Paraiso and Fidel Valeros. All of them are adept in commercial disputes with a particular focus on energy litigation.

Quisumbing Torres advises on a range of dispute matters but is best known for its commercial disputes and international arbitration work. As a member firm of Baker McKenzie, the firm is actively representing clients in cross-border disputes. The firm’s cases also highlight work in construction, labour and employment, intellectual property and tax.

Donemark Calimon is noted for his capability in commercial disputes and international arbitration. Managing partner Ramon Quisumbing and labour and employment lawyers Kenneth Chua, Gil Roberto Zerrudo and Eliseo Zuñiga are other key contacts. IP specialists include Divina Ilas-Panganiban and Bienvenido Marquez III.

In international arbitration, the firm successfully assisted an American chemical conglomerate in an international commercial arbitration involving a non-solicitation clause in a contract with its local client, which is a subsidiary of a large conglomerate in the Philippines.

The rest of the clients who instructed the firm during the research period remain highly confidential.

Client feedback
"Excellent communicators, good researchers, very open on fees for service, trustworthy, logical thought process, kept us informed. Overall, excellent service led by partner Michael Macapagal, a top-notch attorney." – Commercial arbitration

"Provides speedy and relevant advice while understanding our priorities." – Construction

“Quisumbing Torres handles case and client management very well. They understand our business objectives and ensure these are met in handling our trademark litigation cases.” – Intellectual property

Dranyl Jared Amoroso
“He is extremely knowledgeable.”

Donemark Calimon
"Delivers excellent advice promptly, demonstrates a clear understanding of our priorities, and remains readily available."
Kenneth Chua
“Kenneth possesses a friendly and approachable demeanour. He has a knack for explaining concepts effectively and providing practical solutions to legal issues. Additionally, I value his responsiveness.”

“The employment team led by Kenneth Chua is highly reliable and responsive. Their advice is both practical and informative, and they are adept at sharing practical insights gained from their experience with other clients, which I find valuable. Overall, the service I receive from them is excellent. In contrast, my previous counsel from one of the largest firms in the Philippines often provided lengthy and impractical essays, requiring repeated prodding and questions to elicit a proper response. They frequently missed deadlines and even failed to acknowledge instructions via email, leading to immense frustration. However, when I work with Kenneth's team, I encounter none of these issues. They consistently respond promptly and are always willing to schedule a call at my request. Their quotes are fair and reasonable, and they promptly provide invoices that align with our requirements.”

Divina Ilas-Panganiban
“She provides simple solutions to seemingly complex legal issues especially on trademark licensing and enforcement matters. What I appreciate about Divina is her initiative in providing us with options on our trademark strategy to ensure that the same is consistent with our business objectives. On the administrative side, Divina ensures that all our needs are well taken care of and are addressed at the earliest time possible. We are fortunate that she is the one primarily handling our portfolio.”

Michael Macapagal
“He is an excellent communicator and has a take-charge mentality. He demonstrates transparency in his approach and is hardworking, consistently meeting all deadlines. He possesses intelligence and the ability to break down complex issues, effectively conveying responses in layman's language.”

Another debut entry into this edition of Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific, Sarmiento Loriega Law Office is lauded for its work particularly in tax. Its integrated tax practice includes advice on cross-border transactions, international tax matters, transfer pricing and strategic financing structures. The firm often combines substantive tax expertise with litigation experience to advise and represent our clients in tax dispute resolution at all levels. Its tax practice also caters to individual and family tax concerns, especially in wealth management and estate planning. Founding partner and tax expert Maria Elizabeth Peralta-Loriega is a key figure to note.

Details of all cases the firm has handled in the past 12 months are confidential.

Maria Elizabeth Peralta-Loriega

“Attorney Loriega is very dedicated to her profession and clients. She ensures a very high standard of integrity and professionalism in the discharge of her functions/services. She has a very good relationship with her clients. She's innovative and resourceful in finding solutions for her clients.”

One of the oldest full-service law firms in the country, Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako has proven expertise in handling a range of litigation and arbitration cases, especially in labour and employment. The firm’s clients include large domestic companies, high-net-worth individuals and Fortune 500 companies primarily from the UK, Germany, Sweden and Italy. Industry specialties include aviation, energy, and banking and financial services.

Rolando Mario Villonco spearheads the widely lauded labour department of the firm.

The firm is a Philippine member of the TAGLaw international alliance, a global alliance of 150 independent law firms.

Subido Pagente Certeza Mendoza & Binay’s litigation and dispute resolution department handles civil, criminal, special proceedings, tax and election cases in courts. It has been expanding its practice in labour law, banking law and family law in recent years, as well as engaging in new and highly technical fields in this jurisdiction, such as competition law, arbitration practice and medical registration compliance.

Partners Ma Joycelyn Guirnalda, Joseph Joel Castillo and Maria Patricia Alvarez are the main contacts.

All cases the firm has provided remain confidential.

One of the market’s leading full-service firms, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan’s litigation and arbitration practice provides clients with disputes strategies to bridge conflict and avoid lawsuits. The firm often handles precedent-setting cases with unparalleled commercial law experience in the most significant and high-scale cases. Active in all court levels, it is particularly strong in appellate and Supreme Court practice. It has extensive experience in product liability cases, energy and infrastructure disputes, and domestic and international arbitration involving industrial projects across all industries.

Carlos Roberto Lopez, Emmanuel Lombos, Leslie Dy and Ricardo Ongkiko are key individuals.

The firm is currently representing two multinational mining companies, including the world's largest gold mining company, in a case where they are defending against a petition for a Writ of Kalikasan. The petition is filed by certain individuals with the support of their provincial government. This case holds immense significance as it raises fundamental questions regarding the jurisdiction of Philippine courts over companies that are not conducting business within the country. The resolution of this matter will greatly contribute to clarifying jurisprudence on this important issue.

The firm’s major clients include Barrick Gold Corporation, Manila Electric Company, Placer Dome and Platinum Group Metals Corporation.

Client feedback
“The firm has some of the best lawyers in banking and financial services field. The advice we get is always very timely, practical, and well thought of.” – Banking and financial services

“The firm understands well how to deliver business-enabling legal services.” – Banking and financial services

“It knows the local legal and court process well.” – Commercial and transactions

“They have client-responsive legal teams composed of relevant expertise.” – Family and matrimonial

“They provide well with their opinions and legal advice. Their pleadings are well crafted.” – Labour and employment

Leslie Dy
“She knows how to handle clients very well. Her experience in handling cases is also very good. She provides her clients with different ideas and remedies to address certain issues, without losing track of the client's goals.”

“Leslie has been helping our company for over two decades. She has institutional memory of our legal issues, and she has built a very good relationship with us. She is very cheerful and easy to work with.  She is assertive, courageous and very competent.”

Dante Pamintuan
“He possesses expertise, practical knowledge, and is a good communicator.”

Aaron Roi Riturban
“Riturban is very responsive, helpful, and always provides us with sound and practical advice.”

Russel Rodriguez
“He is able to find solutions to difficult problems and is good at communicating the issues with the client.”

“He exhibits strong legal knowledge and is a clear communicator. He is easily accessible and provides immediate responses. Additionally, he excels as a team leader.”

“He possesses the ability to see both the bigger picture and the finer details, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding. He is accessible and approachable, and also exhibits empathy in his interactions.”

Founded in 2019, full-service firm Tolosa Javier Lim & Chua Law Firm’s dispute resolution practice focuses on commercial, civil, criminal, and administrative litigation, with vast experience in arbitration. The firm is composed of experienced partners who have honed their crafts by practising law as senior lawyers in the country’s leading dispute resolution and corporate law firms.

Managing partner Benjamin S Tolosa heads the firm’s dispute resolution practice. Filemon Ray Javier, Dyan Danika Lim-Ong and Germaine Chua Apelario Ong are other key figures at the firm.

Details of all cases the firm has provided are confidential.

Villaraza & Angangco was built on the legacy of former Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio. The firm is a recognised name in litigation relating to commercial, government and regulatory and employment disputes. The team is also active in the banking, telecoms, real estate, energy and infrastructure sectors.

Some of the key names for commercial and regulatory disputes include Alejandro Alfonso Navarro, Augusto San Pedro and Thea Daep. Joseph Anthony Lopez heads the litigation team. In intellectual property, Bienvenido Somera and Katrina Doble are the names to note.

In the government and regulatory space, the firm played a crucial role in defending the directors and officers of Udenna Corporation, the president of Chevron Malampaya, and the managing director of UC Malampaya Philippines. This defence was in response to a complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, pertaining to the approval of a share sale agreement involving the parent company of one of the contractors of the Malampaya Project. The significance of this case cannot be understated, as it has substantial implications for the future operations of the Malampaya deep water gas-to-power project. This project stands as the largest commercial gas discovery in the Philippines, with the government's long-standing intention to reduce oil imports, ensure a more stable supply of cleaner energy from an indigenous resource, and fulfil up to 20% of the country's energy requirements.

In the field of labour and employment, the firm achieved notable success by successfully defending a global technology company against a series of harassment suits brought by independent contractors engaged for transportation services. Through creative and unconventional legal manoeuvres, the firm skilfully highlighted the absence of an employer-employee relationship between the contractors and the client, thereby demonstrating the lack of jurisdiction for the tribunals over the subject-matter. With the dismissal of the first harassment suit, the firm's unconventional legal strategy proved effective and served as a deterrent against subsequent harassment claims by independent contractors targeting the client.

The firm counts esteemed companies as litigation clients, including Aircraft Support Industries, Fountel Corporation, Manila Water Company and UC Malampaya Philippines.

Client feedback
“Professional, proactive and responsive.” – Commercial arbitration

“Enquiries are being answered professionally and they handle our SEC (government agency) requirements well.” – Government and regulatory

“Clear, timely and commercial advice. They have a large employment team.” – Labour and employment

Thea Daep
“Has the ability to provide sound business sense.”

Katrina Doble
“Katrina responds promptly and professionally.”

Winona Maraiah Fajardo
“Good communicator, easy to talk to and responds fast.”

Rashel Ann Pomoy
“Professional, responsive, respectful and proactive.”

“She provides clear and knowledgeable advice, effectively guiding clients through legal matters. Additionally, she demonstrates excellent organisational skills in efficiently managing her team and consistently meeting deadlines.”

“Very responsive and very knowledgeable about labour matters especially in relation to our industry.”

Arthur Villaraza
“He maintains a strong ethical standard, demonstrating integrity in his work. He approaches legal matters strategically, carefully considering the best course of action. Furthermore, he is known for his straightforward and direct communication.”