Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

Kapunan Garcia & Castillo Law Offices

Kapunan Garcia & Castillo Law Offices has expanded its corporate practice, hiring four junior associates. In the firm’s largest deal this year, it advised Lorca Holdings regarding the sale of a property worth PhP105 million and the acquisition of two condominium units worth PhP40.4 million.

Ocampo & Manalo

Name partner CT Ocampo of Ocampo & Manalo has handled several important M&A deals this year. Most notably, he assisted Professional Services (PSI), which operates Manila hospital Medical City, in its acquisition of hospitals in the Philippines and Guam. In another transaction, Ocampo advised food manufacturer CDO Foodsphere regarding assignment of ownership to minority shareholders.

Ocampo & Manalo

Ocampo & Manalo’s real estate capability is developing, and the firm advises clients such as Kajima Philippines, Jardine Distribution and BMU. In one highlight, the firm was appointed as the country representative of a large resort chain that is exploring business opportunities in the Philippines. It has also handled multiple contracts for Jardine Distribution and BMU this year.

Puyat Jacinto & Santos

Although Puyat Jacinto & Santos is best known for its project finance practice, the firm also possesses an active construction and real estate practice that is led by partner Virginia Viray. For example, Viray is advising an international fund regarding the management of its real estate investments. The work covers the full gamut of real estate work, including contract review, preparation of legal opinions, and preparation of sale and purchase documents.

Villaraza Cruz Marcelo & Angangco

Villaraza Cruz Marcelo & Angangco has represented clients involved in numerous high value cases this year. The most challenging and complex of these is its representation of Sagittarius Mines regarding due diligence on parcels of land in Davao del Sur or General Santos intended for a port or power plant. Over 100 parcels of land, each held by a unique owner, must be acquired to complete this acquisition.

Kapunan Garcia & Castillo Law Offices

In its largest energy related case this year, Kapunan Garcia & Castillo Law Offices is advising the West Tower Condominium Corporation in its dispute against First Philippine Industrial and First Gen regarding what is reportedly the largest oil spill in Philippine history. West Tower Condominium is near the pipeline where the spill occurred, and is suing the two energy corporations and demanding the immediate closure of the pipeline.

Ocampo & Manalo

Although Ocampo & Manalo is best known for its strong aviation practice, it maintains a presence in the energy area. Name partner CT Ocampo has advised clients such as Jinchuan Nickel, Jinchuan, RT Mineral and Platinum Metals on the sale and acquisition of large energy corporations, such as Toledo Mining Philippines and Phinico.

Ocampo & Manalo is a rapidly growing full service firm that has an exceptionally successful aviation practice. Its outstanding reputation in the aviation practice can be attributed to Carlos Ocampo and Manolito Manalo’s previous experience as in house counsel at Philippine Airlines.

Both name partners, however, have different specialities. Manalo leads the firm’s corporate practice, while Ocampo is stronger in litigation and dispute resolution.

The firm’s clients include international carriers Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways, and the third largest carrier in the Philippines, Zest Air. In recent work, the firm has secured all necessary Philippine licences for foreign carrier Jeju Air to begin operating in the country.

It has also been appointed by an airline consultancy firm to assist in raising the safety rating of the Philippines in the scale of the US’ Federal Aviation Administration.