Philippines Teams 2024
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
| Golden Arches Development Corporation (McDonald’s Philippines)
| Liwayway Marketing Corporation (Oishi Group)
| Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank)
| Travellers International Hotel Group (Newport World Resorts)
| International Container Terminal Services
In this first-of-its-kind edition of The Legal 500: GC Powerlist Philippines Teams 2024, we are honored to spotlight the nation’s premier in-house legal teams. These outstanding departments have harnessed their legal expertise to drive their organisations’ success strategically.
Philippines’ in-house counsel have navigated a dynamic and challenging year, demonstrating resilience and innovation in addressing potential risks without straining their companies’ budgets. A notable example is the legal team at AREIT, which adopted a hot-desking policy to improve accessibility. This approach has facilitated earlier and more frequent consultations, preventing potential issues at every stage. As the AREIT team shared: ‘Traditionally, lawyers have been seen as problem solvers, only called upon when trouble arises. This perception has often intimidated project and operation teams. By making our team more accessible, we have integrated our lawyers more effectively into company projects and processes.’
In-house counsel in the Philippines have been pivotal in supporting some of the country’s most significant transactions, maintaining a reputation for innovation and excellence. Their dedication and expert legal knowledge continue to set them apart.
In this edition, we also explore the creative strategies employed by these legal teams to align with their companies’ business goals. Their ability to foster internal cohesion and build a strong team identity has been crucial to their success. The legal team at Avida Land Corp. emphasises the importance of creating a collaborative environment: “We create a safe space for discourse and collaboration among all team members, regardless of rank or seniority. Everyone is encouraged to contribute, but the final decision lies with the lead. We also prioritise health and rest, encouraging participation in sports activities, the use of vacation days, and executive check-ups.”
As the legal landscape in the Philippines continues to evolve, in-house counsel remain committed to driving their companies’ growth and success through legal excellence, adaptability, and innovation. The GC Powerlist: Philippines Teams 2024 celebrates their achievements and serves as an inspiration for legal professionals striving for excellence in the country’s ever-changing business environment.
Joe Boswell
Global Editor: The Legal 500 GC Powerlist
As a proud sponsor of this landmark event, Villaraza & Angangco was honored to celebrate the achievements of the Philippines’ top in-house legal teams. This year marks a significant shift in focus—from the Legal 500 recognizing individual achievements to celebrating the collective excellence of legal teams. This shift reflects the evolving role of in-house counsel, who are increasingly seen as strategic partners within their organizations, driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and contributing significantly to their respective companies’ success. In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, the challenges faced by legal teams are more complex than ever. The teams recognized at this event have not only risen to the occasion but have also excelled by tailoring their strategies to seamlessly align with their respective companies’ overarching goals and vision. This demonstrates how the role of in-house legal counsel goes beyond being troubleshooters or merely ensuring legal compliance; it is about being key drivers of corporate strategy.
The achievements of these legal teams are a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and a deep understanding of the industries or business context in which you operate, further proving that when legal expertise and business acumen are combined the results can truly be groundbreaking and transformative.
We at Villaraza & Angangco extend our deepest congratulations to each team for your remarkable contributions. By sponsoring this event, we aim to promote the sharing of best practices in hopes of continuing to elevate the standards of our profession. It is through coming together to acknowledge and learn from one another’s successes that we can truly drive the entire industry forward.
Legal 500 celebrated the launch of the GC Powerlist: Southeast Asia 2025 in Singapore, bringing together over 100 of the region’s leading general counsel for an evening of recognition, conversation, and connection.
Now in its latest edition, the GC Powerlist remains the world’s foremost publication recognising the achievements of in-house counsel. Following extensive research and nominations from law firms across the region, the 2025 edition highlights those shaping the future of the profession across Southeast Asia’s dynamic and rapidly evolving markets.
This year’s list reflects both continuity and change — celebrating many of the region’s most established general counsel alongside an exciting new generation of legal leaders from emerging economies. Together, they represent the innovation, resilience, and strategic vision that continue to define the in-house community across Southeast Asia.
The evening opened with remarks from Joe Boswell, Global Editor of Legal 500’s GC Powerlist series, and Partner-in-Charge of Jones Day’s Singapore office, Sushma Jobanputra, who welcomed guests and reflected on the publication’s mission to spotlight excellence within the corporate legal world. The event also featured a keynote address from Peangpanor Boonklum, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer of PTT, who shared her insights on leadership, collaboration, and purpose in an era of global change.
Guests then enjoyed a lively networking reception over drinks, providing an opportunity for honourees and peers to connect, exchange ideas, and celebrate their shared achievements in a relaxed setting.
Legal 500 extends its sincere thanks to long-time partner Jones Day Singapore for their invaluable support in hosting the evening and their continued commitment to recognising and supporting the in-house legal community.
Congratulations once again to everyone featured in the GC Powerlist: Southeast Asia 2025. Your achievements continue to elevate the role of corporate counsel and embody the leadership that drives progress across the region’s legal and business landscape.
