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

PJS Law’s energy practice, led by partner Monalisa Dimalanta, has moved up in the rankings this year because of strong peer feedback and outstanding work. The firm’s high profile client list includes UPC Renewables, SN Aboitiz, AES Philippines, Aboitiz ... [more]

PJS Law’s energy practice, led by partner Monalisa Dimalanta, has moved up in the rankings this year because of strong peer feedback and outstanding work. The firm’s high profile client list includes UPC Renewables, SN Aboitiz, AES Philippines, Aboitiz Power Corporation and PetroEnergy Resources, among others.

The firm has expanded its energy practice by a handful of associates, and worked on several large projects over the last year. For example, Dimalanta advised AC Energy Holdings, a unit of Ayala, regarding its joint venture with Trans-Asia Oil & Energy Development in relation to its development of a coal fired thermal power plant in Calaca, Batangas.

Dimalanta represented EGCO PCL Thailand in its US$215 million acquisition of 26% of the equity of Covanta Energy in Quezon Power Partners, which is operating a 460MW coal fired thermal power plant in Mauban, Quezon, Philippines.

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“Puno & Puno is very active and is one of the best in the Philippines,” says one partner at a rival firm. The energy practice, led by name partner Roderico V Puno, also garners exceptional praise from clients.“Of all energy focused attorneys in the country, ... [more]

“Puno & Puno is very active and is one of the best in the Philippines,” says one partner at a rival firm. The energy practice, led by name partner Roderico V Puno, also garners exceptional praise from clients.

“Of all energy focused attorneys in the country, name partner Roderico Puno is most noted for his expertise and hands on approach,” says one.

Puno & Puno’s strong energy practice is a product of its highly regarded project finance practice, which is well known in the Philippine market.

In a landmark deal this year, Puno and partner Elizabeth Ma advised Philippine Hybrid Energy Systems on the construction and financing of a wind energy power system project in Oriental Midoro. Construction will be in two phases, and will require PhP6 billion (US$141 million) in funding.

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Although Quisumbing Torres does not have a dedicated energy practice, its energy expertise is buoyed by its strong corporate and finance practice. Led by well regarded partner Felix Sy, the firm is regularly involved on landmark deals involving international ... [more]

Although Quisumbing Torres does not have a dedicated energy practice, its energy expertise is buoyed by its strong corporate and finance practice. Led by well regarded partner Felix Sy, the firm is regularly involved on landmark deals involving international parties because of its good reputation and strong connections as a Baker & McKenzie member firm.

Sy advised KEPCO in conjunction with Baker & McKenzie’s Hong Kong team on the legal due diligence of its acquisition of a British holding company that owned minority stakes in two power generating companies in the Philippines. The team also advised KEPCO on Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) registration and the operation and control of installed generating capacity under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act and Energy Regulatory Commission regulations.

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“Attorney Perry Pe has an extensive and well regarded team for project financing, especially on transactions relating to the privatisation of power assets in the Philippines,” says one client of RMBSA.Pe is head of the firm’s energy and infrastructure ... [more]

“Attorney Perry Pe has an extensive and well regarded team for project financing, especially on transactions relating to the privatisation of power assets in the Philippines,” says one client of RMBSA.

Pe is head of the firm’s energy and infrastructure department, which is bolstered by the firm’s strong all around expertise. The standout project finance practice is an asset for its energy and infrastructure practice, which has a bright future due to escalating FDI in the Philippine mining and natural resource sectors.

In the last year, the firm has acted for the Philippine national government and several local and foreign companies on both energy and natural resource issues.

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Given the increasing number of energy financing deals beginning in the Philippines, SyCip is at the forefront of much energy and natural resources work in the country. The firm is often first choice for multinational corporations and large domestic companies ... [more]

Given the increasing number of energy financing deals beginning in the Philippines, SyCip is at the forefront of much energy and natural resources work in the country. The firm is often first choice for multinational corporations and large domestic companies for its broad expertise and international name recognition. Key clients include Standard Chartered Bank, Peak Oil & Gas, BHP Billiton and GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant.

Partner Hector M de Leon Jr acted for Gold Fields on its US$349 million acquisition of 60% of the gold copper Far Southeast deposit of Lepanto Consolidated Mining. Partner Marilyn Aquino also acted for Philex Mining in the acquisition of 5% of Lepanto Consolidated Mining, worth PhP1.29 billion.

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Villaraza Cruz Marcelo & Angangco boasts two practice groups that provide clients with advice on power, energy, natural resources and mining issues. Both of these are headed by noted attorney and partner Patricia Bunye.The firm’s capabilities in the ... [more]

Villaraza Cruz Marcelo & Angangco boasts two practice groups that provide clients with advice on power, energy, natural resources and mining issues. Both of these are headed by noted attorney and partner Patricia Bunye.

The firm’s capabilities in the energy and natural resources area are immense. For example, its lawyers can handle the development, financing, operation and sale of power projects. They also handle licensing, reviewing contracts, obtaining government approval and exploration permits and rendering title opinions and advice on land tenure and ancestral domain issues in regard to mining projects.

Partner Sylvette Tankiang, head of the corporate and commercial practice, is advising Shell International on a joint venture in the Philippine oil industry.

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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 ... [more]

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.

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