The Legal 500

Romulo remains an undisputed market leader for big-ticket financing transactions, where it regularly advises leading international and domestic banks, including Deutsche Bank, ING Bank and Citibank. Highlights included advising the IFC on a $75m loan to the Energy Development Corporation. The firm also represented HSBC on a PhP5bn credit facility to the Manila Electric Company. Jose Salvador Mirasol leads the first-class team.

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan first-class banking team saw a great deal of acquisition and project finance activity. It represented Standard Chartered Bank on financing for SMC Holdings’ stake acquisition in the South Luzon Expressway. It also advised the lenders, which included Banco de Oro Unibank, on a PhP9bn syndicated loan to finance the construction of a 135MW coal-fired power plant in Calaca. Mia Gentugaya heads the excellent six-partner team.

Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos’ banking team enjoys a very strong reputation across the full range of matters, be it for regulatory, transactional or project finance advice. Founding partner Antonio Picazo is particularly well regarded and the firm represents an array of clients, including ANZ Bank, BNP Paribas and Citibank. Recent highlights included advising PNB Capital & Investment Corporation on a $40m loan to First Philec Nexolon Corporation.

Quisumbing Torres had a very strong year, where it supplemented its traditionally strong borrower client base with several major banking panel appointments, including ANZ Bank, Credit Agricole, Macquarie Group and Société Générale. Recent work includes advising Orix Corporation on the financing of a major mixed-use real estate development. The highly regarded Felix Sy heads the team.

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW) is particularly recommended for its regulatory and litigation expertise and recently represented a major international bank on a congressional inquiry. Eusebio Tan, Tadeo Hilado and Francis Lim are very active on transactional matters, with the practice recently advising on major project financings, such as the Maibarara Geothermal Power Plant.

The banking team at Castillo Laman Tan Pantaleon & San Jose has an array of top practitioners, including Mel Macaraig, Yolanda Mendoza-Eleazar and Polo Pantaleon. The firm is particularly strong on financial restructurings and project finance work and regularly represents institutional clients such as the IFC.

Puyat Jacinto & Santos Law Offices has a very good reputation for banking and finance work and regularly advises on cutting-edge project finance and debt capital markets transactions. Ramil Bugayong, Maria Raquel Chavez and Job Adrian Ambrosio are all very well regarded.

Agcaoili & Associates acts for a number of leading banking groups, including Asia United Bank, Citibank and ING Bank. Carmen Agcaoili-Oreña leads the team.

Ocampo & Manalo has a good track record for aviation finance matters, with Carlos Ocampo and Manolito Manalo both very active in this area.

Poblador Bautista & Reyes has established a very good reputation for banking sector advice, with representative clients including Asian Development Bank, Banco de Oro and United Overseas Bank. Alexander Poblador is a key contact.

Ponce Enrile Reyes & Manalastas’ Jesus Manalastas is particularly recommended for banking matters. The practice offers strong transactional and regulatory expertise. Clients include Philippine National Bank, Allied Banking Corporation and RCBC Savings Bank.

Enrique Quiason and Ruelito Soriano at Quiason Makalintal Barot Torres Ibarra & Sison provide strong banking advice to their largely borrower-led client base. Highlights included advising Energy Development Corporation on a $75m loan from the IFC.

Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako has a strong focus on banking litigation matters and acts for a broad spread of international clients, including Asian Bank Corporation, Export and Industry Bank and HSBC. The Bankers Association of the Philippines is another key client. Victor Alimurung is very experienced in banking sector disputes.

Villaraza Cruz Marcelo & Angangco acts for several major international and domestic banking groups including Banco de Oro Universal Bank, JPMorgan Chase and Citibank. Raoul Angangco and Sylvette Tankiang are both well regarded.