Throughout The Firm's vibrant history, the Corporate & Commercial Law Department has proven its commitment to deliver indispensable commercial and practical legal solutions to help clients attain their strategic goals. Our lawyers are purveyors of change in the evolving business world, addressing highly intricate transactions with vigor and passion and advising with innovative ideas on the most complex regulatory issues on a broad spectrum of industries. Domestically and internationally ranked consistently as one of the premier business law practices in the Philippines, our collaborative approach reflects V&A Law’s experience and breadth of skills.
Not only have our lawyers been recognized as thought leaders in their varying fields of specializations, The Firm continues to actively lead in the stabilization of the country’s economic milieu by confronting high-stakes issues faced by our clients in some of the Philippines' landmark mergers & acquisitions, rehabilitation and restructuring transactions, energy development, and government projects in the last century.
Our core practice areas include banking and finance, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, foreign investments, property development and real estate, power and energy, mining, immigration, telecommunications, media and technology, gaming, transportation, restructuring, insolvency and corporate rehabilitation, manufacturing, insurance, taxation, tourism, and public utilities.
Infrastructure, Transportation
Corporate Governance & Regulation
Property Development and Real Estate Transactions
Debt Restructuring & Corporate Reorganization
Capital Markets, Securities Regulation and Finance
Throughout The Firm's vibrant history, the Corporate & Commercial Law Department has proven its commitment to deliver indispensable commercial and practical legal solutions to help clients attain their strategic goals. Our lawyers are purveyors of change in the evolving business world, addressing highly intricate transactions with vigor and passion and advising with innovative ideas on the most complex regulatory issues on a broad spectrum of industries. Domestically and internationally ranked consistently as one of the premier business law practices in the Philippines, our collaborative approach reflects V&A Law’s experience and breadth of skills.
Not only have our lawyers been recognized as thought leaders in their varying fields of specializations, The Firm continues to actively lead in the stabilization of the country’s economic milieu by confronting high-stakes issues faced by our clients in some of the Philippines' landmark mergers & acquisitions, rehabilitation and restructuring transactions, energy development, and government projects in the last century.
Our core practice areas include banking and finance, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, foreign investments, property development and real estate, power and energy, mining, immigration, telecommunications, media and technology, gaming, transportation, restructuring, insolvency and corporate rehabilitation, manufacturing, insurance, taxation, tourism, and public utilities.
Throughout The Firm's vibrant history, the Corporate & Commercial Law Department has proven its commitment to deliver indispensable commercial and practical legal solutions to help clients attain their strategic goals. Our lawyers are purveyors of change in the evolving business world, addressing highly intricate transactions with vigor and passion and advising with innovative ideas on the most complex regulatory issues on a broad spectrum of industries. Domestically and internationally ranked consistently as one of the premier business law practices in the Philippines, our collaborative approach reflects V&A Law’s experience and breadth of skills.
Not only have our lawyers been recognized as thought leaders in their varying fields of specializations, The Firm continues to actively lead in the stabilization of the country’s economic milieu by confronting high-stakes issues faced by our clients in some of the Philippines' landmark mergers & acquisitions, rehabilitation and restructuring transactions, energy development, and government projects in the last century.
Our core practice areas include banking and finance, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, foreign investments, property development and real estate, power and energy, mining, immigration, telecommunications, media and technology, gaming, transportation, restructuring, insolvency and corporate rehabilitation, manufacturing, insurance, taxation, tourism, and public utilities.
Infrastructure, Transportation
Corporate Governance & Regulation
Property Development and Real Estate Transactions
Debt Restructuring & Corporate Reorganization
Capital Markets, Securities Regulation and Finance
Throughout The Firm's vibrant history, the Corporate & Commercial Law Department has proven its commitment to deliver indispensable commercial and practical legal solutions to help clients attain their strategic goals. Our lawyers are purveyors of change in the evolving business world, addressing highly intricate transactions with vigor and passion and advising with innovative ideas on the most complex regulatory issues on a broad spectrum of industries. Domestically and internationally ranked consistently as one of the premier business law practices in the Philippines, our collaborative approach reflects V&A Law’s experience and breadth of skills.
Not only have our lawyers been recognized as thought leaders in their varying fields of specializations, The Firm continues to actively lead in the stabilization of the country’s economic milieu by confronting high-stakes issues faced by our clients in some of the Philippines' landmark mergers & acquisitions, rehabilitation and restructuring transactions, energy development, and government projects in the last century.
Our core practice areas include banking and finance, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, foreign investments, property development and real estate, power and energy, mining, immigration, telecommunications, media and technology, gaming, transportation, restructuring, insolvency and corporate rehabilitation, manufacturing, insurance, taxation, tourism, and public utilities.
Trademark and Patent Prosecution
Intellectual Property Commercialization, Licensing & Franchising
Intellectual Property Rights Litigation
Throughout The Firm's vibrant history, the Corporate & Commercial Law Department has proven its commitment to deliver indispensable commercial and practical legal solutions to help clients attain their strategic goals. Our lawyers are purveyors of change in the evolving business world, addressing highly intricate transactions with vigor and passion and advising with innovative ideas on the most complex regulatory issues on a broad spectrum of industries. Domestically and internationally ranked consistently as one of the premier business law practices in the Philippines, our collaborative approach reflects V&A Law’s experience and breadth of skills.
Not only have our lawyers been recognized as thought leaders in their varying fields of specializations, The Firm continues to actively lead in the stabilization of the country’s economic milieu by confronting high-stakes issues faced by our clients in some of the Philippines' landmark mergers & acquisitions, rehabilitation and restructuring transactions, energy development, and government projects in the last century.
Our core practice areas include banking and finance, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, foreign investments, property development and real estate, power and energy, mining, immigration, telecommunications, media and technology, gaming, transportation, restructuring, insolvency and corporate rehabilitation, manufacturing, insurance, taxation, tourism, and public utilities.
Non-Contentious Labor Law Matters
Administrative Investigations of Employee Misconduct
Assistance in Hiring of Overseas Filipino Workers
The firm provides counsel to leading mining and exploration companies on a broad range of matters, including compliance with nationality and capitalization requirements, obtaining government approvals, licenses and registrations required for the commencement of mining activities, preparing and reviewing applications for mineral agreements and exploration permits, and drafting, negotiating and reviewing contracts pertinent to the mining industry, such as joint ventures, operating agreements and other suitable business arrangements. We also have experience in rendering title opinions advice on land tenure and ancestral domain issues, and mining litigation, among others.
The Firm’s distinct competencies and resources enable us to forge strategic partnerships with the relevant government agencies and industry associations, and allow us to make full use of the legal framework for mining to contribute to a responsible and sustainable Philippine mining industry.
The Firm provides counsel to investors, private equity funds, lenders, contractors and suppliers on the appropriate transaction and governance structures of mergers and acquisitions, including development, financing, operation, sale and distribution projects in the power and energy sector. Our lawyers have represented various clients in successfully obtaining required government accreditation and permits and routinely negotiate, draft and review agreements and contracts necessary to implement complex transactions in this field.
With a sustainable environment in mind, our lawyers have rendered advice on investment and regulatory laws governing renewable sources of energy, including hydro, wind power, geothermal, solar and biofuels.
The Firm is committed to forge and implement transactions within the frameworks of Philippine law. We recognize the objective of not only protecting our clients interest but also of pursuing and safeguarding public interest through stable public and private partnerships and responsible private sector investments that provide the power and energy that fuel our developing economy.
Contact Persons:
Founded by one of the most successful tax practitioners in our country, our tax department today has a wealth of experience and holds unique perspectives in developing individually designed tax efficient solutions for our clients in the boardroom or in the courtroom.
The Firm routinely advises on and develops innovative solutions to efficiently manage the tax burden of individuals and entities doing business in the Philippines, whether on an isolated or continuing basis. Our tax lawyers constantly monitor developments in tax laws and regulations to provide our clients with up-to-date and comprehensive legal advice.
The Firms tax practitioners collaborate with the Firms lawyers from other practice areas resulting in the early identification and adept handling of tax issues involved in highly sophisticated mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations, securities transactions, partnerships and joint ventures, complex credit transactions, as well as other high value commercial dealings, such as real estate transactions and the sale of goods and services. The Firms lawyers have immense experience in direct and indirect taxes, including taxes imposed by local government units.
Our tax lawyers also advise and formulate strategic tax plans and coordinate with the Bureau of Internal Revenue and other agencies to integrate efficient tax solutions that suit our clients business objectives.
The Firm has successfully counselled and represented clients who are anticipating or are involved in tax litigation and other related disputes at all levels, both administratively and judicially.
Contact Person:
Telecommunications and ICT are progressive fields that require market players to keep abreast with the latest developments in order to remain competitive. With continuously emerging technologies such as value added services and digital television, the legal landscape of telecommunications and ICT is forever changing. In line with this mandate, the extensive training and expertise of the Firms lawyers ensures that it is capable of assisting the clients needs every step of the way in this ever-expanding field of legal practice.
Through the years, the Firm has developed a dynamic and wide-ranging expertise in handling all legal aspects of telecommunications and ICT. Our Firm provides clients with legal advice, as well as representation before the National Telecommunications Commision (NTC), a Department of Transportation and Communication and Congress in applying for and securing licenses, certificates of public convenience and franchises. The Firm also represents clients in litigation before the NTC and the judicial tribunals. Moreover, our mergers and acquisitions experience in the telecommunications industry includes negotiating, structuring and documenting acquisitions of equity in telecommunication entities and of telecommunications assets, such as frequencies, licenses and franchises.
Our clients expect successful results either in the courtroom or in the negotiating table. We believe in exploring and exhausting cost-effective avenues to settle disputes and explore avenues that avoid protracted and costly litigation. We make use of efficient and effective strategies capitalizing on alternative methods of dispute resolution, including negotiation, conciliation, mediation and arbitration to achieve results. In disputes in specialized areas of business, the Firm represents clients before the Construction Industry Arbitration Commission and other local and international arbitral bodies.
Contact Persons:
Our extensive appellate practice is considered preeminent in the field. Our track record spanning decades reinforces our reputation as the Firm to go to for the most significant and difficult cases before the appellate courts. Our litigators have successfully handled cases in all appellate levels of the judicial system. We also routinely handle appeals from quasi-judicial agencies that are elevated to the Office of the President. Apart from handling appeals in cases we have tried, we also handle cases previously handled by other lawyers but referred to us by clients seeking strategic counsel and innovative representation before the appellate courts.
Contact Persons:
Among the Firm's long standing clients are the Central Bank of the Philippines (The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) and the Monetary Board. With banking litigation as a key strength, we represent a wide array of banks and financial institutions, both local and foreign. Our clients include the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, Banco De Oro Universal Bank/Equitable PCI Bank, Asia United Bank, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Chinatrust and various leading international financial institutions.
Contact Persons:
Contact Persons:
Contact Persons:
The Firm also renders comprehensive advice and assistance to corporations and individuals on Philippine immigration laws. Our lawyers' expertise in immigration-related laws, rules and regulations, and extensive experience in appearing before various governmental agencies involved in the implementation and enforcement of immigration laws, allow us to expeditiously secure the proper visas and alien employment permits for clients that include corporate executives, professionals and skilled personnel of multinational corporations.
We routinely handle applications for various types of visas, including pre-arranged employee, quota and non-quota immigrant, special non-immigrant, treaty trader, treaty investor, special investor resident, special retiree resident, and others. We also secure for clients alien certificate of registration identity cards (ACR i-Card), special work permits and similar documents.
Our lawyers also advise and represent clients in the acquisition, recognition and re-acquisition of Philippine citizenship, as well as deportation and exclusion proceedings, including the issuance or lifting of hold departure orders and inclusion or deletion from the immigration blacklist.
Contact Person:
The Firm also renders comprehensive advice and assistance to corporations and individuals on Philippine immigration laws. Our lawyers' expertise in immigration-related laws, rules and regulations, and extensive experience in appearing before various governmental agencies involved in the implementation and enforcement of immigration laws, allow us to expeditiously secure the proper visas and alien employment permits for clients that include corporate executives, professionals and skilled personnel of multinational corporations.
We routinely handle applications for various types of visas, including pre-arranged employee, quota and non-quota immigrant, special non-immigrant, treaty trader, treaty investor, special investor resident, special retiree resident, and others. We also secure for clients alien certificate of registration identity cards (ACR i-Card), special work permits and similar documents.
Our lawyers also advise and represent clients in the acquisition, recognition and re-acquisition of Philippine citizenship, as well as deportation and exclusion proceedings, including the issuance or lifting of hold departure orders and inclusion or deletion from the immigration blacklist.
Our Firm assists in the preparation, prosecution and maintenance of both Philippine and foreign trademark, patent, utility model and industrial design applications.
We provide trademark, patent, utility model and industrial design services to various clients including individual inventors, small and medium-scale businesses, as well as large enterprises from various fields, including banks and financial institutions, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, information technology and electronics, transportation and automobile, manufacturers and distributors of clothing and luxury items, paper products, restaurants and resorts, as well as scientific research and the academe.
We also have linkages with major law firms around the world which enables us to help you with the filing and prosecution of trademarks, patents, utility models and industrial designs abroad.
Our Firm's patent group, comprising of lawyers who are also registered Patent Agents, having successfully passed the IPO's Patent Agents Qualifying Exam, are equipped with the technical know-how essential in prosecuting and defending national and Patent Cooperation Treaty applications covering diverse subject matters such as biotechnology, DNA technology, applied chemistry, pharmaceutical products, applied physics and information technology. We have the capability to assist in the drafting of the specifications and claims and their amendments, as well as post-registration services, such as monitoring and payment of annual fees.
Contact Person:
Our Firm assists in the registration and deposit of copyrights and other related rights.
Contact Person:
The proper identification, development and utilization of intellectual property rights are critical to the success of any business organization. Our Firm's Intellectual Property Commercialization, Licensing and Franchising Practice assists clients in identifying valuable intellectual property not only to protect them, but ensure that their full commercial value is realized.
With our extensive knowledge and experience, backed by a commitment to excellence, our lawyers are able to offer clients sound legal advice and practical strategies in properly developing their intellectual property capital. Our intellectual property lawyers have the technical and business background to advise clients whenever intellectual property assets are part of business transactions.
Our Firm provides advice on all aspects of commercialization, licensing and franchising including: intellectual property rights screening and audits, including due diligence investigations; matching potential licensors and licensees, negotiating, drafting and reviewing all types of agreements relating to the commercialization of intellectual property, including license and franchise agreements; providing advice on issues affecting regulatory compliance, tax, royalty payments, confidentiality, operations, quality control, rights enforcement, renewal and other issues arising from the performance of IP commercialization agreements; providing advice on business feasibility evaluation, and development and implementation of commercialization plans; and transacting with the Documentation, Information and Technology Transfer Bureau of the Philippine Intellectual Property Office.
Contact Person:
Our Intellectual Property Group has experienced litigators who have extensive practice before administrative tribunals and regular courts, both trial and appellate. Unlike other law firms who refer their intellectual property cases to their general litigation department, all intellectual property litigation are handled by litigators belonging to our Intellectual Property Group. Our clients benefit not only from our Group's very strong litigation practice but also from our intellectual property expertise. This is our Intellectual Property Group's competitive edge with respect to other law firms.
We have a strong track record in trademark opposition, trademark and patent cancellation proceedings and intellectual property violation cases. Our Firm has proven itself capable of successfully representing local and international clients from different industries and sectors in administrative proceedings before the Bureau of Legal Affairs of the Intellectual Property Office and in regular courts which include appellate proceedings.
Contact Person:
The Firm's Intellectual Property Group has an in-house investigative arm that provides efficient, cost-effective and responsive programs for the enforcement of intellectual property rights in the Philippines. Among the services we provide are: market surveys, drafting and service of cease and desist letters, surveillance and investigation in coordination with law enforcement agencies, application and implementation of search warrants, the filing and prosecution of criminal, civil, and administrative cases for intellectual property rights violations and border control measures.
Contact Person:
Our services include the preparation of the application for the recordation of intellectual property rights under Customs Administrative Order No. 6-2002 with the Bureau of Customs as a border control measure to prevent the importation of goods or products that infringe upon all intellectual property rights, and the filing of requests with the Bureau of Customs for suspension of release orders, alert orders and hold orders.
Contact Person:
In the Philippines, the sale of the following products is regulated by the Food and Drugs Administration: processed food, drugs, medical devices, diagnostic reagents, cosmetics and household hazardous substances.
All entities that wish to export, import, market and distribute products falling under any of the said categories in the Philippine consumer market are required to undergo an application process known as Establishment Licensing in order to secure a License to Operate. In turn, these entities or establishments are required to secure a Certificate of Product Registration for each product they wish to export from the Philippines or import, market, and distribute within the Philippines.
Our Firm assists clients in obtaining their License to Operate and Certificate of Product Registration in the most practical and cost-efficient manner possible by providing advice on different compliance and regulatory requirements which will facilitate Establishment Licensing and Product Registration.
Contact Person:
Cognizant of the important role played by media and entertainment/broadcasting in society, our Firm is abreast with the developments involving Philippine media, entertainment and broadcasting, both with respect to changes in technology and in the regulatory framework.
Our Firm has the capability to assist media, entertainment and broadcasting entities in the promotion and protection of their intellectual property rights consistent with their strategic business objectives. Our Firm's Media, Entertainment and Broadcasting practice area not only counsels clients on key intellectual property matters such as intellectual property audits and the conduct of infringement studies but also provides administrative assistance such as licensing and registration, regulatory compliance and advise on specific amendments to legislations or regulations for the promotion of the interests of stakeholders.
Contact Person:
We provide comprehensive legal guidance and practical solutions to businesses and employers navigating the complex landscape of labor and employment laws and regulations in the Philippines. With a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving nature of Philippine labor laws, our practice is dedicated to ensuring that our clients are equipped to make informed decisions, mitigate risks and achieve favorable outcomes in the realm of workplace relations.
We have guided and advised both local and international clients in compliance with labor standards including, among others, the following areas:
Contact Person:
We provide comprehensive and strategic representation to businesses and employers who find themselves entangled in complex labor disputes.
We have a proven track record in litigating a diverse range of labor disputes before regular courts and labor tribunals such as the National Labor Relations Commission. We have appeared for and represented clients in the enforcement of restrictive covenants, specifically issues relating to non-compete agreements, non-solicitation agreements, and other restrictions on employee mobility after leaving a company.
We also expertly protect our clients’ interests in the litigation of employee claims of wrongful termination, workplace harassment and discrimination, wage and hour disputes, retaliation cases, collective bargaining negotiations, among others. We also provide careful guidance to our clients in navigating judgment execution proceedings. Our specialized knowledge equips us to craft tailored strategies that resonate with the unique nuances of each case.
While we offer skillful negotiations for clients who actively seek amicable resolutions through mediation and settlement discussions, our team also has extensive experience in labor litigation. Out team possesses the litigation prowess required to effectively present complex legal arguments and secure favorable outcomes.
Contact Person:
We provide comprehensive legal counsel and representation in administrative investigations concerning employee misconduct. Understanding the importance of maintaining a fair and transparent workplace while safeguarding the interests of our clients, our team apply our comprehensive knowledge of labor and employment laws during the conduct of such investigations.
We have conducted and facilitated administrative investigations covering rank-and-file employees until high-ranking executives and officials entangled in claims of commission of acts of serious misconduct, sexual harassment, fraud, and loss of trust and confidence reposed on them by their employer. We prepare comprehensive investigation reports that outline the findings, evidence, and conclusions reached during the investigation, and are designed to facilitate decision-making by employers.
Contact Person:
We provide legal advice to guide and assist clients in a wide range of issues such as hiring and termination practices, collective bargaining, formulating innovative strategies and tactics to avert labor disputes, mitigating the effects of strikes and other concerted activities, retirement options, employee benefits and other collective interactions of employers, employees, or their representatives.
Contact Person:
We assist foreign businesses that intend to hire Filipino workers abroad by providing them strategic advice on hiring Overseas Filipino Workers (“OFW”) which is heavily regulated under Philippine law and securing the necessary clearances for the OFW’s exit from the Philippines.
Contact Person:
We provide legal services to employers in reviewing and analyzing their labor practices and policies to ensure compliance with labor legislation and applicable rules and regulations. Through audit, corrective measures are formulated and adopted to rectify possible irregularities and liabilities which helps lessen labor litigation.
Contact Person:
We provide legal advice to companies conducting due diligence for possible merger and acquisition transactions. We provide detailed advice on employee mobility during the merger and acquisition process, especially in cases where either termination or rehiring is warranted. This includes the assessment of associated risks and ascertainment of possible employer liability for labor claims.
Contact Person: