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

ACCRALAW’s esteemed litigation practice provides a strong foundation for its outstanding labour and employment practice. Its strength on disputes means that it is often the first port of call for multinational companies handling unfair termination cases.With ... [more]

ACCRALAW’s esteemed litigation practice provides a strong foundation for its outstanding labour and employment practice. Its strength on disputes means that it is often the first port of call for multinational companies handling unfair termination cases.

With an office in Manila, as well as smaller satellites branches in Cebu and Davao, ACCRALAW is a popular choice for employment matters in developing areas of the Philippines.

Notable practitioners include senior partners Emerico O de Guzman, Emiterio Manibog and Ernesto R Añasco. The firm has advised prominent international clients such as Proctor & Gamble, Eurofragrance, Coca-Cola Bottlers, Mapua Institute of Technology and Mapua Institute of Technology.

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Platon Martinez Flores San Pedro Leaño has an impressive service focus to its labour and employment practice, which is headed by partner Grace Quevedo-Panagsagan. Key clients include Kawasaki Motors and Merck Sharp & Dohme.Although the firm is noted ... [more]

Platon Martinez Flores San Pedro Leaño has an impressive service focus to its labour and employment practice, which is headed by partner Grace Quevedo-Panagsagan. Key clients include Kawasaki Motors and Merck Sharp & Dohme.

Although the firm is noted for its abilities in handling legal disputes, the philosophy of the labour and employment practice is to minimise or eliminate litigation completely. The partners in this practice offer training to managerial and supervisory employees, teaching them how to create a safe workplace environment to avoid lawsuits. Its employee training programme also includes areas such as employee discipline, termination, anti sexual harassment law and labour standards.

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Quisumbing Torres is a standout firm in many practice areas, but its labour and employment practice garners exceptional praise. This area also works in tandem with the firm’s corporate practice to ensure seamless advice to clients.Multinational companies ... [more]

Quisumbing Torres is a standout firm in many practice areas, but its labour and employment practice garners exceptional praise. This area also works in tandem with the firm’s corporate practice to ensure seamless advice to clients.

Multinational companies also appreciate Quisumbing Torres’s international links through the Baker & McKenzie network.

Noted partner Kenneth Chua leads the outsourcing industry group while partner Gil Roberto Zerrudo heads the labour and employment practice. Both are highly regarded within the Philippine legal community.

Chua has represented several multinational corporations on labour matters, particularly those that involve outsourcing. Meanwhile, Zerrudo focuses on employment contracts, benefits and compensation, and terminations, and also handles all related litigation.

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Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako’s employment practice is highly respected throughout the Philippines. The full service firm is active in disputes that involve collective bargaining and strike handling but will handle all other general employment ... [more]

Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako’s employment practice is highly respected throughout the Philippines. The full service firm is active in disputes that involve collective bargaining and strike handling but will handle all other general employment and labour issues. Notable clients include Cardinal Santos Medical Centre and Coca-Cola Bottlers.

The head of the practice is partner Romarie Villonco, who is well regarded by peers and clients alike. He is both versatile and knowledgeable, and can practice in the areas of corporate law, dispute resolution, and tax matters. Peers also recommend partners Luisito Lantin and Antonio Pido for their outstanding expertise in collective bargaining.

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The employment practice of Poblador Bautista & Reyes has been involved in several landmark labour and employment cases this year for multinational companies.In a highlight case, partner Mario Bautista acted for EEI Corporation, one of the largest Philippine ... [more]

The employment practice of Poblador Bautista & Reyes has been involved in several landmark labour and employment cases this year for multinational companies.

In a highlight case, partner Mario Bautista acted for EEI Corporation, one of the largest Philippine construction companies, in a class action suit by 630 former employees. EEI was defending itself from the employees’ US$100 million in liability claims. The dispute rose to the Supreme Court, which overturned an earlier ruling that the employees should be paid.

The firm has also acted for International School Manila, Federal Express and NXP Semiconducts Cabuyao, a subsidiary of chipmaker NXP BV, on employment issues.

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Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan features in the rankings again for its labour and employment practice. Clients, especially multinational companies, mention the firm’s “international reputation” as a key reason to instruct the firm. The expertise ... [more]

Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan features in the rankings again for its labour and employment practice. Clients, especially multinational companies, mention the firm’s “international reputation” as a key reason to instruct the firm. The expertise of its corporate practice, arguably the best in the Philippines, is also a factor behind its popularity. Aside from covering all typical labour and employment matters, such as employment contracts, due diligence and compliance, the human resources practice at SyCip also works on immigration law issues.

SyCip’s employment group has most recently acted for Sara Lee in relation to employment issues regarding its divestment of several Philippine household product subsidiaries.

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Del Rosario & Del Rosario The employment practice at Del Rosario & Del Rosario is closely related to its strong shipping and maritime practice. Key cases this year involved advising shipowners, agents and insurers on handling damages sought by ... [more]

Del Rosario & Del Rosario

The employment practice at Del Rosario & Del Rosario is closely related to its strong shipping and maritime practice. Key cases this year involved advising shipowners, agents and insurers on handling damages sought by Filipino crews who have experienced piracy, hijacking and kidnapping incidents off the coast of Africa. The firm takes care to minimise litigation from Filipino crew members regarding damages, including provisions for stress related disorders developed such as post traumatic stress disorder.

Puyat Jacinto & Santos

Puyat Jacinto & Santos is labour and employment counsel for the business process outsourcing units for corporations such as Sykes Asia, Sykes Marketing Services, Hewlett Packard, JP Morgan Chase, HTMT and APAC Customer Services. It has also acted for SN Aboitiz Power on employment matters relating to its takeover of the privatised Magat Hydro-Electric Power Plant and Ambuklao-Binga Hydro-Electric Power Plants. Partner Roy Enrico C Santos leads the practice.

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