Key Team members: Jason Kyle Sarenas, senior legal manager 

What are the most significant cases or transactions that you have recently been involved in? 

In the past year, CIC has partnered with Shark Ninja for exclusive distribution in the Philippines, adding to its growing portfolio of brands. CIC has also brought in a new CEO, Ariel P. Fermin. The legal team makes sure that all changes, not just major milestones like these, are integrated seamlessly, with no disruption to the current business and with full compliance with regulatory requirements. We support CIC and all its companies in their day-to-day operations and provide the necessary expertise and knowledge in strategy and implementation. 

How do you see the general counsel role evolving in the Philippines over the next five-ten years? 

The general counsel role in the next years will be evolving to adjust to digital transformation and technology integration, increasing regulatory complexity, and greater focus on sustainability and Environmental, Social, Governance. It is the duty of the general counsel to monitor and be educated on these changes to effectively guide their organisations effectively.  

Are the effects of AI on the legal world overplayed, or underplayed? 

Overplayed. We are far from reaching the point where AI has replaced lawyers, contrary to what others were saying when AI was the buzz a few months ago. AI is still far from replacing lawyers, especially the part of lawyering that needs a personal or human touch – guiding clients. Current state of AI is more of assistive. There are nuances in interpretation of the law and actual practice that just cannot be replaced by AI.