Event information
The Legal 500 is delighted to formally announce the 2025 edition of GC Summit Philippines.
Join leading practitioners and esteemed in-house counsel for comprehensive panel discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities. The Legal 500’s GC Summit Philippines will provide practical insights into the evolving role of in-house counsel and the challenges that in-house legal departments are set to face in 2024 and beyond.
In association with our partners for this event, the event will include a series of sessions covering a variety of cutting edge and up to date topics for discussion, such as:
- Creating an ESG Roadmap: Reporting & disclosure obligations – How ready is your company?
- Managing cross-border disputes
- Opportunity in complexity and volatility – getting deals done in Taiwan
- Beyond the General Counsel role: charting a purposeful career path
- The impact of artificial intelligence on the legal world
- Building an effective governance programme
- Digitization and Data: from compliance to capitalization
- Managing internal investigations
- Navigating an ever-changing employment landscape
Drawing on the vast experience of our highly accomplished speakers, this event will provide practical, hands-on advice to all in-house counsel.
It is a must-attend event for any in-house lawyers in Philippines looking to reach the next level of their professional development.
Agenda
8.30am – 9.15am Registration
9.15am – 9.20am Opening remarks
- Joe Boswell, global editor GC Powerlist, Legal 500
9.20am – 10.10am Understanding and Navigating Interim Measures and Execution of Awards in Arbitration
This panel will explore key challenges in securing and enforcing interim measures and arbitral awards. An expert panel helmed by Mr. Jerome D. Canlas and Carla S Pingul of Cruz Mercelo & Tenefrancia will discuss strategies for navigating jurisdictional issues, court assistance, and asset recovery in the Philippines. The audience will gain practical insights into mitigating risks, ensuring enforceability, and effectively managing arbitration outcomes within their organisations.
- Mr. Jerome D. Canlas, partner, Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
- Carla S. Pingul, partner, Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
- Francis Julius Romeo del Valle, government corporate attorney, Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC)
- Ali Loraine V. Manrique, chief of the legal division, Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR)
10.15am – 10.45am Managing Corporate Investigations
This panel will explore best practices for handling corporate investigations, focusing on legal, ethical, and strategic considerations. Experts will discuss how general counsel in the Philippines can effectively oversee internal probes, ensure regulatory compliance, and mitigate risks. Topics include initiating and structuring an investigation, maintaining attorney-client privilege, handling whistleblower reports, and working with law enforcement. Panelists will also share insights on managing reputational risks and navigating cross-border issues. Attendees will gain practical guidance on conducting thorough and defensible investigations while protecting their organisations’ interests.
- Tara A. Mercado, partner, Sy & Partners
- Michelle Marie F. Villarica, partner, Nishimura & Asahi
- John Malcolm Aniag, associate, Sy & Partners
10.50am – 11.15am Coffee Break
11.15am – 12.05pm Digitisation And Data: From Compliance to Capitalisation
Driven by two of the leading subject matter experts in the Philippines from Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra, in this session we will explore how in-house lawyers can drive their organizations to digitize their workflows to maintain compliance standards and meet the next frontier of unlocking the true value of their data. This panel will explore how companies can move beyond compliance-focused strategies to harness and monetize data. The session will also explore the strategies and tools businesses use to monetize digitized data, turning it into actionable insights, enhanced customer offerings, and revenue streams; and drive more value.
- Mark Gorriceta, managing partner, Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
- Kristine Torres, partner, Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
- Toni Lou Sevilla, senior regional privacy counsel, Grab
- Sara Venturina, chief data officer, GCash
- Idesa Roxas – De Jesus, head of legal and corporate services, Aboitiz Data Innovation
- Mhedora Tan, chief legal & compliance officer, GoTyme Bank Corporation
12.10pm – 12.40pm The Employee Handbook Masterclass: Drafting, Revising or Evaluating to Ensure a Harmonious Work Environment
This engaging session, hosted by one of the leading employment lawyers in the Philippines, is tailored for in-house lawyers seeking to craft or refine employee handbooks that drive workplace harmony and legal compliance. This masterclass will explore essential best practices for drafting clear, inclusive, and enforceable policies. Common pitfalls, aligning handbooks with ever-evolving employment laws, and fostering a positive workplace culture will also be covered. Whether you’re starting from scratch or revising existing materials, this session equips you with practical tools to create a document that protects your organisation while promoting fairness and clarity for employees.
- Rashel Ann C. Pomoy, partner, V&A Law
- Paolo Miguel Consignado, senior associate, V&A Law
12.45pm – 1.45pm Lunch
1.50pm – 2.40pm Assessing the Options – Stock Option Plans in the Philippines
This panel will explore stock option plans in the Philippines, focusing on legal, regulatory, and tax considerations for in-house counsel. An extremely accomplished panel, including elements from the Philippine Stock Exchange, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Securities and Exchange Commission and the banking industry will discuss structuring options, compliance challenges, and best practices for implementation. Cynthia Roxas-del Castillo, senior partner of Romulo Buenaventura, will lead and manage the discussion.
- Cynthia del Castillo, senior partner, Romulo Buenaventura Law Office
- Roel A. Refran, executive vice president & chief operating officer (COO), Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc.
- Larry M. Barcelo, officer-in-charge (OIC) – deputy commissioner – legal group, Bureau of Internal Revenue
- Mike Ferdinand Z. Santos, supervising securities examiner, Securities and Exchange Commission
- Ma. Lourdes Pascual-Gatmaytan, corporate secretary, senior vice president, co-head of legal affairs and dispute resolution, & head of corporate legal affairs, Bank of the Philippine Islands
2.45pm – 3.15pm The Future of Philippine Markets: Strategic Reforms and Growth Opportunities
James Grandolfo, Partner at Milbank LLP and Head of Milbank (Hong Kong) LLP, will join Ramon Monzon, President and CEO of The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE), for a discussion on recent PSE reforms. They will share insights on equity capital markets transactions, exploring PSE and SEC reforms related to IPOs and other market activities, with particular attention to initiatives driving increased market participation.
- James Grandolfo, partner, head of Milbank (Hong Kong) LLP, Milbank LLP
- Ramon Monzon, president and CEO, Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc.
3.20pm – 3.40pm Coffee Break
3.45pm – 4.25pm The Changing Role of In-house Counsel
- Joe Boswell, global editor GC Powerlist, Legal 500
- Kristian Nico Calugay Acosta, general counsel and head of legal (GUESS Group) and director (Legal Management Council of the Philippines), GUESS Group
- Connie Chu, chief legal & compliance officer, Aboitiz Group
- Emma Theresa Cabochan, senior vice president – legal services head and data privacy officer, Asia United Bank
- Cecily Nerisse (Chel) C. Ramirez-dela Cruz, country general counsel and GAM lead, 3M Philippines
4.30pm – 4.35pm Closing remarks
4.35pm – 6.00pm Drinks and canapes
Speakers
Mark Gorriceta, managing partner, Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
Mark S. Gorriceta is the Managing Partner and Head of the Corporate, Banking and Finance, and Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) Groups of Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra – a multi- awarded and full service Philippine law firm established in 2015 with offices in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
He represents domestic conglomerates in their digitization efforts as well as the Philippines’ top technology companies – both local and global entities – and further renders his expertise in corporate structuring, tax, banking & finance, capital markets, equity financing, and in navigating complex cross-border commercial transactions.
With over 20 years of experience in private practice, Mark has developed an extensive expertise in complex corporate transactions, commercial contracts and regulatory matters in a range of areas that impact businesses – whether for start-ups or for Top 1000 companies in the Philippines.
Kristine Torres, partner, Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
Kristine T. Torres is a Partner of the Firm, and Head of Project Finance and ESG. She is also a member of the Corporate and Technology Media and Telecommunications practice groups.
Kristine specializes in corporate and business law, mergers and acquisitions, technology media & telecommunications, capital markets, banking, finance, securities law, project finance and ESG. She led a number of complex and significant mergers and acquisitions of highly regulated companies, involving private and/or publicly-listed companies, and capital markets transactions, and regularly advises clients on the entry of foreign investments to the Philippines, establishment of domestic corporation and other corporate vehicles, application for primary and secondary licenses with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Insurance Commission and other government agencies, cross-border and commercial transactions, joint ventures, corporate structuring, securities offerings, legal and regulatory compliance, tech licensing agreements, equity and debt capital raising transactions, PPPs and project finance deals.
Kristian Nico Calugay Acosta, general counsel and head of legal (GUESS Group) and director (Legal Management Council of the Philippines), GUESS Group
Nico is the general counsel and head of legal department of the GUESS Group. He also serves as a director of the Legal Management Council of the Philippines, the country’s premiere association of legal professionals. Throughout the years, Nico has successfully represented his past and present principals before various quasi-judicial agencies, trial courts, the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. Because of his solid advocacies on ESG and intellectual property awareness, Nico is often invited as a lecturer and resource speaker by various government agencies, educational institutions and international organizations such as the International Trademark Association, EU IPO, World Intellectual Property Organization and the Asia Pacific Corporate Counsel Alliance. Moreover, several legal publications, such as AsiaLaw, the Asian Legal Business and the Legal 500, has consistently commended him for his exemplary legal works. During his law firm days, Nico has been cited by the Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner, and he has been consistently included by the publication’s General Counsel (GC) Powerlist Magazine in its lists of leading in-house lawyers across Southeast Asia and the Philippines. Just last year, Nico has made it to the Legal 500 GC Elite Philippines, which recognized the country’s Top 20 most prominent and seasoned in-house lawyers. On his days off, Nico enjoys working out at the gym and car racing.
Rashel Ann C. Pomoy, partner, V&A Law
Rashel Pomoy is a Partner at Villaraza & Angangco Law, where she also holds the position of Deputy Head of the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group. Pomoy is experienced in both the advisory and litigation aspects of Philippine labor law and is a recognized lawyer both in the Philippines and internationally.
Pomoy represents domestic and international clients on all aspects of employment and industrial relations, including general employment advisory and assistance, employee investigation, employment and industrial relations disputes, international transfers and global mobility matters, large-scale reductions in workforce and corporate restructures and the employment aspects associated with corporate transactions. She provides clients with timely and accurate advice, delivered in the most comprehensible manner. Ms. Pomoy frequently assists clients in drafting employment policies, handbooks, releases and severance agreements, as well as non-competition agreements.
Pomoy was recognized as a Leading Partner in Labour and Employment by Legal 500 this year, and was ranked as Recommended Lawyer for Labor and Employment in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific Ranking for 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Connie Chu, chief legal & compliance officer, Aboitiz Group
Connie Chu has more than 20 years legal experience in the areas of regulatory compliance, corporate governance, capital markets, finance, and M&A in multiple jurisdictions in Asia and the US.
She joined the Aboitiz Group in 2023 as Group General Counsel, and Chief Legal & Compliance Officer of Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., a leading company listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange. The team was most recently awarded Asian Legal Business Philippine In-House Team of the year in 2023 & 2024.
Prior to joining the Aboitiz Group, Atty. Chu advised the governments of Indonesia, Mongolia and the Philippines, SOEs, and private and public companies listed in Asia and the US.
She was a registered foreign lawyer at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in New York then Hong Kong from 2008 to 2022 and an associate at Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles from 2003 to 2007.
Atty. Chu obtained her Master in Corporate Laws degree with distinction from the New York University School of Law, U.S.A, and a juris doctor degree with high honors (Class Salutatorian) from the Ateneo de Manila University. She graduated magna cum laude with an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of San Carlos. She was a bar topnotcher ranking 2nd in the 2002 Philippine Bar Exams.
Cynthia del Castillo, senior partner, Romulo Buenaventura Law Office
Cynthia Roxas-Del Castillo (Senior Partner), is a member of the Executive Board and head of the Securities group. Her practice focuses on securities and corporate law.
Cynthia is responsible for projects of the firm involving securities law practice, capital market transactions, registration of securities, and offerings of securities to the public. She is also involved in major investment projects of foreign companies in the Philippines, organization and operation of mutual funds, acquisitions, joint ventures, mergers, and structuring and executing capital-raising activities.
Cynthia headed teams handling major projects involving the flotation of equity and debt securities and listings with The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). These projects involve domestic and international initial public offerings of leading Philippine-registered companies. She has advised major merger and acquisition transactions in the Philippines, including investments of foreign companies and start-up projects. She also contributed in the formulation of rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and PSE which affect the capital markets.
James Grandolfo, partner, head of Milbank (Hong Kong) LLP, Milbank LLP
James Grandolfo is a partner at Milbank LLP, head of Milbank (Hong Kong) LLP, and a member of Milbank’s Corporate Finance and Securities Group. With over 25 years of experience, he is a highly regarded expert in capital markets (debt and equity), M&A, private equity, and leveraged finance. James is particularly sought after for his experience in the Philippines, where he is widely recognized as one of the most experienced international lawyers practicing in the jurisdiction.
Ramon Monzon, president and CEO, Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc.
Mr. Monzon is the President and CEO of The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) and the Securities Clearing Corporation of the Philippines and the Chairman of PSE’s Capital Markets Development Committee. He is the concurrent President of the PSE Foundation and a Trustee of the Securities Investors Protection Fund, Inc. He served as an Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of PSE from 2015 to 2017.
Mr. Monzon is also a Director and President and CEO of Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corporation (PDSHC) and Board Director of Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corporation (PDEx), Philippine Depository & Trust Corporation (PDTC), and PCD Nominee Corporation. He is the Chairman of the IT Steering Committee and Member of the Executive, Risk Oversight, Audit, and the Nomination and Remuneration Committees of PDSHC, PDEx and PDTC.
Mr. Monzon actively participates and holds key leadership roles in various stock exchange industry groups. He is part of the ASEAN Exchanges CEOs collaboration that steers several cross-border initiatives to promote investments in the region. He also currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the World Federation of Exchanges Emerging Markets Working Group and Co-Chairman of the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (UN SSE) Advisory Group on SMEs and Sustainability.
Mr. Monzon holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Chicago Booth School of Business, a Bachelor of Arts degree major in Political Science from the Ateneo de Manila University, and a Bachelor of Science degree major in Accounting from the Manuel L. Quezon University. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Mr. Jerome D. Canlas, partner, Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
Mr. Jerome D. Canlas is a versatile legal professional with a proven track record across multiple practice areas. His expertise encompasses Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Arbitration, Telecommunications & Information and Communications Technology Law, Labor Law, and Data Privacy Law (holding the CIPP/E and CIPM certification).
He boasts extensive experience managing high-stakes tax litigation cases for multinational corporations before the Court of Tax Appeals and the Supreme Court. His success includes securing precedent-setting victories that have resulted in significant financial benefits for his clients.
Mr. Canlas obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of the Philippines in 2009. Prior to that, he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2005 also from the University of the Philippines. He further strengthened his legal expertise by pursuing a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Economic and Business Law along with an EU-Graduate Diploma from Kyushu University in Japan. Notably, he received the Monbukagakusho Scholarship (Young Leaders’ Program) during this time. Mr. Canlas’ commitment to legal education extends beyond his own studies, as he actively contributes as a senior lecturer at the University of the Philippines College of Law, teaching remedial and labor law, and an MCLE Lecturer.
Carla S. Pingul, partner, Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
Carla S. Pingul is a partner at Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia. Her practice areas include arbitration, labor law, patent litigation, tax litigation, trial advocacy, and appellate practice. She has represented clients before the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the International Chamber of Commerce for disputes involving government infrastructure projects, and energy contracts. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, an arbitrator of the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc., and a senior lecturer at the University of the Philippines, College of Law, where she teaches remedial law.
Roel A. Refran, executive vice president & chief operating officer (COO), Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc.
Atty. Roel Refran is the Executive Vice-President & Chief Operating Officer (COO) of The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE). Early on in his career, he was an associate at SyCip Salazar Hernandez and Gatmaitan and thereafter joined public service as chief of staff of Sen. Ralph G. Recto who was the Chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee. He also worked at ACCRALAW before joining PSE.
Roel leads the sustainability initiatives of PSE. In 2023, he was invited to speak at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Conference of the Parties (COP 28) in Dubai where he shared insights on how the capital markets can be an enabler for stakeholders to transition to a sustainable business towards achieving nationally determined contributions.
Larry M. Barcelo, officer-in-charge (OIC) - deputy commissioner - legal group, Bureau of Internal Revenue
Atty. Barcelo is the OIC-Deputy Commissioner for BIR – Legal Group. He previously served as Assistant Commissioner of the BIR – Legal Service for over six years. He leads the BIR committee tasked to prepare the revenue regulations of Republic Act (RA) No. 12066, or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy or the CREATE MORE Act.
He also headed the committee that drafted revenue regulations for the VAT on Digital Service Act and Ease of Paying Taxes Act or the EOPT Act.
He represents the BIR in various Congressional and Senate hearings on tax reform measures.
He held pivotal roles in the past as Director II- Head Revenue Executive Assistant, BIR Legal Service; Chief of Staff for Legal, Office of then BIR Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares; Vice-President of then Trade and Investment Development Corp. (TIDCORP), now Philippine Guarantee Corporation; and, Attorney VI, Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs (ODESLA), Office of the President, Malacañang, Manila.
He is a Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) IV
Mike Ferdinand Z. Santos, supervising securities examiner, Securities and Exchange Commission
Having a legal background as a Lawyer and a financial background as a Certified Public
Accountant (CPA), Mike Ferdinand Z. Santos possesses a competent skill set that encompasses finance, statutory audit, and legal practices. With extensive experience in both fields, he has sharpened his analytical skills, keen attention to detail, and comprehensive knowledge of regulatory frameworks and corporate governance. His primary goal is to inspire aspiring accountants and future lawyers by providing them with practical insights and a deep understanding of the complexity of both legal and accounting principles.
Ma. Lourdes Pascual-Gatmaytan, corporate secretary, senior vice president, co-head of legal affairs and dispute resolution, & head of corporate legal affairs, Bank of the Philippine Islands
Atty. Ma. Lourdes Pascual-Gatmaytan is a seasoned legal executive currently serving as Corporate Secretary and Senior Vice President at Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI). Since 2015, she has led corporate legal affairs, dispute resolution, and compliance, specializing in M&A, regulatory support, and legal risk management. Previously, she held key legal leadership roles at Splash Corporation, Ang-Hortaleza Corporation, and Bahay Financial Services, overseeing corporate governance, litigation, and business counseling. Pascual-Gatmaytan is a certified mediator and has also contributed to alternative dispute resolution at the National Center for Mediation.
Toni Lou Sevilla, senior regional privacy counsel, Grab
Toni Lou Sevilla is the Senior Regional Privacy Counsel at Grab. She has been a privacy practitioner for 8 years, beginning in Puno Law where she audited and developed the privacy program of several large Philippine conglomerates. She then moved to manage the Asia Pacific privacy division for CBRE, a multinational Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company, and the world’s largest commercial real estate and investment firm. Aside from advising the business on their initiatives, she developed a wide range of privacy resources and tools, including contracting guidelines, breach management, and trainings. At Grab, she covers privacy for the Southeast Asian region. She played a critical role in the regulatory audits of Grab in Vietnam and Philippines, and fronted discussions with app developer reviewers Apple and Google. She also recently advised the company on implications of cross-border data transfers in relation to Grab’s acquisition of other online platforms.
Sara Venturina, chief data officer, GCash
Sara Venturina is currently the chief data officer at GCash, where she leads the organisation’s data strategy. Prior to that, she held various leadership positions at Troo (EastWest Ageas Insurance), Thakral One, Globe Telecom, and Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). Sara has over 25 years of experience across industries such as Telco, Financial Services and Public Sector. She has worked with organisations in the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia where her responsibilities have ranged from crafting analytics roadmap, leading end-to-end project implementations, building data science and AI teams to managing stakeholders and championing data driven culture in organizations.
Sara is a strong advocate for the responsible and ethical use of data and AI to solve business challenges and create value for organisations and is a member of Responsible Analytics and AI Council (RAAIC) of Analytics and AI Association of the Philippines (AAP).
Mhedora Tan, chief legal & compliance officer, GoTyme Bank Corporation
Mhedora Tan is currently the Chief Legal & Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary of GoTyme Bank Corporation. As a CPA Lawyer, she has extensive legal background on labor, litigation, corporate and taxation. Mimi engaged in the practice of law for various companies, both private and public, where she honed her skills on the different aspects of the legal practice. Her most recent stint prior to GoTyme is with a supply chain logistics company where she served as part of the legal team for more than seven years. She joined GoTyme in 2021 (prior to its incorporation) as the Head of Legal, and was appointed as the Corporate Secretary upon GoTyme’s incorporation in 2022.
She graduated magna cum laude from the University of San Carlos with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. She got her Bachelor of Law degree from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines while working full-time as the head of the accounting department of a financing company, and subsequently got her Master of Law from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
Idesa Roxas - De Jesus, head of legal and corporate services, Aboitiz Data Innovation
Idesa Roxas – De Jesus is the Head of Legal and Corporate Services of Aboitiz Data Innovation. She is the principal legal advisor to ADI’s senior management, providing strategic legal guidance to the company and ensuring compliance with laws and regulation. She is also the DPO of ADI and a certified Risk Management Professional.
Prior to her role in ADI, Desa served as the Senior Associate General Counsel for Contracts and Commercial Transactions for Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. where she was responsible for high-value M&A and JV deals, project financing, and bond offerings of the Aboitiz Group. As a Transactions and Acquisitions lawyer for Aboitiz Power Corporation, she was responsible for streamlining and ensuring proper legal documentation of asset and project site acquisitions for the energy generation and distribution business units of the Group, as well as addressing operational legal issues. She also served as an independent director for the Rural Bank of Pandi Bulacan, Inc. for three years, prior to its acquisition by One Network Bank.
In her free time, she also serves as a guest lecturer for Commercial Law specifically for Business Organizations at Lex Scholarium for the benefit of bar reviewees.
Emma Theresa Cabochan, senior vice president - legal services head and data privacy officer, Asia United Bank
Emma Theresa Cabochan is a seasoned legal professional currently serving as the Senior Vice President – Legal Services Head and Data Privacy Officer at Asia United Bank Corporation. With nearly a decade of leadership experience in the banking sector, Cabochan has been instrumental in overseeing legal compliance, risk management, and data privacy initiatives within the organization.
Emma Theresa Cabochan holds a Doctor of Law (J.D.) degree from the University of the Philippines. Prior to this, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management.
Tara A. Mercado, partner, Sy & Partners
Tara is a partner at Sy & Partners and has extensive experience advising domestic and foreign companies on a variety of matters, including structuring of foreign investments, corporate structuring, corporate governance, compliance and regulatory issues, employee relations, and taxation. Tara’s practice focuses on corporate transactions in various sectors, including telecommunications, mining, oil and gas, real estate, and gaming and entertainment.
Tara also regularly advises clients on corporate and internal investigations, with a focus on corporate governance, compliance and risk assessment.
Michelle Marie F. Villarica, partner, Nishimura & Asahi
Michelle is a partner of Nishimura & Asahi and based in the Singapore office. Her practice focuses on commercial and corporate law and has extensive experience in assisting international clients on cross-border deals, Philippine investments, and day-to-day commercial/corporate matters.
Her practice covers advising on various M&A and joint venture transactions across a large range of industries including IT, manufacturing, finance, real estate, retail trade, and energy. She also regularly advises clients on other corporate and commercial matters such as licensing, doing business, labour, data privacy and protection, corporate investigations, and regulatory compliance.
John Malcolm Aniag, associate, Sy & Partners
Malcolm is an associate at Sy & Partners. He has assisted corporations and government agencies with external and internal investigations for labor management, fraud prevention and asset recovery.
Malcolm’s practice focuses on labor law, as well as domestic litigation and arbitration. Malcolm has handled internal investigations for clients in the construction, automative, retail, banking, real estate, and IT-BPM industries. He also handles labor, criminal and civil cases arising from these internal investigations. His work has resulted in uncovering fraud, leading to criminal prosecution, and civil litigation for the recovery of property. He has also assisted government agencies in administrative cases and proceedings.
Malcolm worked in the finance and management consulting industry and in government for several years before pursuing his legal practice.
Francis Julius Romeo del Valle, government corporate attorney, Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC)
Atty. Kiko del Valle is a Government Corporate Attorney in the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC). Prior to joining OGCC, Kiko was an Associate in the Arbitration and Litigation Practice Group of Follosco Morallos & Herce.
Kiko is accredited as a File Counsel with the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Philippine Institute of Arbitrators. He currently teaches Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution Law.
Together with a team of disputes practitioners, Atty. del Valle represents clients in international and domestic commercial arbitration cases.
Cecily Nerisse (Chel) C. Ramirez-dela Cruz, country general counsel and GAM lead, 3M Philippines
Cecily Nerisse (Chel) C. Ramirez-dela Cruz, as a member of the Asia-Taiwan leadership team for the consumer business group and the local leadership team in the Philippines, helps identify and address key policy, enterprise, and other risks to protect the company’s brand and operations while supporting growth.
Recently, she contributed to adapting to changes in Indonesia’s importation regulations to minimize business disruption from new requirements. Additionally, she played a role in the successful spin-off of the healthcare business into a new, publicly held company called Solventum, working on its local implementation and execution.
Ali Loraine V. Manrique, chief of the legal division, Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR)
Ali Loraine V. Manrique is the Chief of the Legal Division of the Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR). She obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree from the San Beda College of Law and became a Philippine Bar passer in 2015. She was conferred Cum Laude in the B.A. Political Science Program of the University of the Philippines Diliman in 2009.
Atty. Ali is a Vester Hughes Fellow at the Center for American and International Law from the Southwestern Institute for International and Comparative Law. She has attended numerous courses on international law and alternative dispute resolution from Columbia University, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators New York Branch, American Bar Association, National University of Singapore, among others.
She is a lecturer in Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) covering topics in
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and artificial intelligence. She is also and a law professor in various universities.
Also, Atty. Ali is constantly engaged in research and study of ADR, and is instrumental in governmental policy measures relating to the development and practice thereof. She is committed to ADR advocacy, sharing the fruits of her study in local and international arbitration and her wealth of experience, through lectures in various OADR campaigns, programs, and trainings
Paolo Miguel Consignado, senior associate, V&A Law
Paolo Miguel Consignado is an Associate and a member of the Firm’s Litigation Management Group and Arbitration Practice Group with over four (4) years of experience in litigation (civil, criminal, and administrative), international and domestic arbitration, estate proceedings, employment disputes, intra-corporate disputes, trademark infringement, corporation law and contract law.
Paolo regularly appears before trial and appellate courts and various administrative agencies in the Philippines, and frequently handles international arbitrations before the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. He provides counseling and advice to local and foreign investors on Philippine labor laws and assists them in their day-to-day employment-related issues and concerns. He also handles employment issues in corporate restructuring, including mergers and acquisitions.
Joe Boswell, global editor GC Powerlist, Legal 500
Joe Boswell has been a part of The Legal 500’s editorial team, specialising on the in-house legal community, for more than seven years. He now heads The Powerlist team, acting as chief editor for the over 40 separate editions of the GC Powerlist series which serve as The Legal 500’s flagship title celebrating the world’s top in-house counsel, as well as Global Editor for The Legal 500’s Private Practice Powerlist Series.
During the course of researching for the GC Powerlist series, Boswell has interviewed a vast number of world-renowned general counsel, chief legal officers, and legal directors about overcoming the challenges they face, their legal innovations, and how they see the general counsel role progressing in coming years. As well as this, he is a regular speaker at Legal 500 summits, roundtables, award ceremonies and other events, and often writes in-depth reports on business and legal issues.
Boswell is an alumnus of both the University of Sussex in The United Kingdom and the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen in The Netherlands.
