SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan has noteworthy experience litigating for both foreign and domestic clients at all levels of court. The firm has a strong commercial specialism, evident in its disputes practice. The industry sectors the team’s high-value workload spans includes banking, pharma, infrastructure and construction. Ricardo Ma. P.G. Ongkiko heads up the collective and assists with the range of litigation and arbitration cases, from contract disputes, to corporate restructuring, to insurance cases. Key practitioners include Carlos Lopez, who has experience in representing clients at the highest court levels, John Regalado, who is noted for his ability to ‘think out of the box’, and Ma. Patricia Paz-Jacoba, who specialises in complex commercial disputes.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘What sets the firm apart is the thoroughness of their work, and ability to think out of the box but still within the bounds of law.’

  • ‘John Regalado is creative with remedies that are novel but still within the bounds of the law. He is also responsive.'

  • 'There is clear respect and camaraderie, and efficient and substantive delivery of legal product as required.'

  • 'Empathy and responsiveness to client concerns - most importantly; teamwork and cooperation; individual and complementary expertise; substantive legal product; efficient delivery.'

Key clients

  • Holcim Philippines, Inc.
  • The Manila Electric Company (MERALCO)
  • Officers of Hawker Pacific Asia Pte Ltd
  • NPC Alliance Corporation (NPCAC)
  • Barrick Gold Corporation and Placer Dome, Inc.
  • Colgate-Palmolive Company and Colgate-Palmolive Philippines, Inc.
  • Platinum Group Metals Corporation (PGMC)
  • Mitsubishi Corporation
  • International Shipping Line

Work highlights

  • Defended Holcim Philippines, Inc. in a trademark infringement and unfair competition suit which was dismissed by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, and the dismissal was upheld by the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.
  • Represented The Manila Electric Company against the petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General in the Supreme Court assailing the validity of the settlement agreement between MERALCO and the National Power Corporation, a government-owned and controlled corporation.
  • Defended officers of Hawker Pacific Asia (now Jet Aviation) against charges of conspiracy and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in relation to contracts to inspect and overhaul Bell 412 helicopters of the Office of the President of the Philippines.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
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.

Ricardo Ma. P.G. Ongkiko

Other key lawyers

Carlos Lopez, Ma. Patricia Paz-Jacoba, John Regalado, Emmaneul M. Lombos