Philbert Varona spearheads the practice at SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan, which is praised for its skill at handling a broad range of complicated deals. The team often acts for international and domestic banks and other financial institutions, as well as for the issuers of securities, and has been involved in some key capital market transactions that span various sectors such as food, beverage and real estate. In addition, the team receives a steady stream of instructions from some major international law firms. Other recommended partners include Mark Xavier Oyales, Joan Mae To-Conejos as well as Vicente Gerochi IV.
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Key clients
- AC Energy, Inc.
- Arthaland Corporation
- Asia United Bank Corporation
- Asian Development Bank
- Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited
- Bank of America
- Bank of Commerce
- Bank of Singapore
- Bank of the Philippine Islands
- BDO Unibank, Inc.
- Capital International Private Equity Fund
- Citigroup
- Credit Suisse
- Del Monte Philippines, Inc.
- Deutsche Bank
- Frontier Tower Associates Philippines Inc.
- GIV Capital Holdings Corp.
- Hanwha Global Asset Corp.
- JP Morgan Chase
- The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
- Kingfisher Mobile Limited
- Light Rail Manila Corporation
- Markham Resources Corporation
- Merrill Lynch (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
- Mizuho Bank, Ltd.
- MUFG Bank
- National Grid Corporation of the Philippines
- PH Global Jet Express, Inc.
- Philippine National Bank
- Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation
- Robinsons Bank Corporation
- San Miguel Corporation
- Security Bank Corporation
- Science Park of the Philippines, Inc.
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Standard Chartered Bank
- Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
- UBS AG
- Union Bank of the Philippines
Work highlights
- Acted as counsel to ING Bank, N.V. and Philippine Commercial Capital, Inc. in their capacities as Joint Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners of (a) the establishment by Bank of Commerce (“BankCom”) of a Bond Programme for the offering and issuance of Bonds in one or several tranches to retail and institutional investors in the Philippines with an aggregate principal amount not exceeding PHP20bn and (b) the issuance by BankCom of Series A Bonds with an aggregate principal amount of PHP7.5bn due in 2024.
- Acted as counsel to PNB Capital and Investment Corporation and SB Capital Investment Corporation in their capacity as Joint Issue Managers, Joint Lead Underwriters and Joint Bookrunners, for the offer in the Philippines by Citicore Energy REIT Corp. of Philippine Peso-denominated fixed rate ASEAN green bonds in the aggregate principal amount PHP3bn with an oversubscription option of up to PHP1.5bn due 2028.
- Acted as counsel for BPI in its PHP20.3bn issuance of BPI RISE (Reinforcing Inclusive Support for MSMEs), with an ASEAN social bond label. The proceeds will be used to finance or refinance the business requirements of eligible MSMEs in line with BPI's Sustainable Funding Framework.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Philbert Varona