What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

We have been involved in significant transactions across different practice areas as a dedicated legal team. For example, our team works closely with our company’s digital and data unit in implementing various ‘click-and-mortar’ initiatives of Ayala Malls. We have worked extensively with them in launching, developing and operating the Ayala Malls Zing (Zing), which serves as our company’s omnichannel solution. Zing is Ayala Malls’ fully integrated digital and loyalty platform, bridging the gap between the offline and online mall shopping experience at our customers’ fingertips. To ensure that our brick and mortal malls remain relevant in the digital age, Zing acts as a personal mall companion guide featuring mall navigation or way finder, digital concierge services, online commerce via Zing Shops, Zing Eats and Zing Mall, e-gift marketplaces, and loyalty or rewards programmes.

Given that Zing is multi-faceted, our team had to navigate through a complex regulatory landscape to ensure that the company remains legally compliant amid the ever-evolving world of retail and ever-changing consumer consumption and preference. Further, in line with our parent company’s vision to enrich the lives of more Filipinos, we have also assisted our business team in its Alagang Ayala Land Programme by actively participating in contract negotiation and tailoring relevant agreement/s to address specific needs or concerns. Through Alagang Ayala Land, our company can support close to 1,600 social enterprises by providing, among others, rent-free spaces in Ayala Malls nationwide. As an in-house or corporate legal team, we also strive towards positive change and making a meaningful impact on society. Overall, we ensure that we provide our client, Ayala Malls, accurate, timely and comprehensive legal advice and support to help it make informed decisions that align with its goals and objectives – both for the business and the community – while reducing the potential for disputes and minimising legal risks.

As we live in a fast-paced world today, what skills will a corporate legal team need to succeed in the modern in-house industry?

Since the business landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace with new technologies and market dynamics, it is only apt that the corporate or in-house legal team should be agile and adaptable. An agile legal team can quickly grasp new legal and regulatory developments and provide proactive guidance to the company it serves, thereby ensuring that the company not only acts within the bounds of law but can also decide commercial matters swiftly and confidently. Further, an adaptable legal team can pivot and align its strategies, services and resources with the company’s evolving needs. This implies, however, that the legal team also possesses familiarity and understanding of the company’s business model, industry, competitive landscape, financial targets and goals, and community and sustainability objectives. To succeed in the modern in-house industry, the legal team should also be able to effectively collaborate with other legal practitioners, especially external lawyers who can provide their expertise and guidance on new business endeavours of the company.

What are some of the main legislative or regulatory changes that have impacted you?

As real estate developers, categorised as covered institutions under the Anti-Money Laundering Law, we registered our mall operating entities with the Anti-Money Laundering Council of the Philippines and have since implemented the Money Laundering Terrorism Financing and Prevention Programme into our operations. As of date, our legal team is currently conducting a roadshow or seminar with the different business enterprise teams of Ayala Malls to discuss the risks associated with money laundering and the importance of our company’s compliance with the requirements mandated by law and our internal policies and processes. With these programmes and undertakings, we become more confident that our business is not used for purposes inconsistent with state policies.