The Legal 500

Philippines > Employment

Editorial sections

Other

All countries

Index of tables

  1. Employment
  2. Leading individuals

Leading individuals

Emerico De Guzman heads the excellent six-partner team at Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW). It has handled numerous employment disputes for Procter & Gamble, Chevron, GSK and Microsoft and is well versed in acting for clients such as Pilipinas Shell Petroleum on collective bargaining negotiations with trade unions. The practice is also strong on general employment advisory matters and has a strong client following in the BPO and call centre industry.

Platon Martinez Flores San Pedro & Leaño’s Grace Quevedo-Panagsagan heads an experienced employment practice, which has successfully defended Dole, Kawasaki Motors and Energizer Philippines against claims brought by former employees and unions. The firm also handles shipping-related labour claims.

The ‘very professional’ Kenneth Chua leads the ‘excellent’ employment team at Quisumbing Torres, which is ‘very accessible’, ‘very responsive’, and ‘tries to deeply research cases before providing a legal opinion’. It acts for an impressive range of international clients on both contentious and non-contentious matters. The practice also has deep bench strength, with highly rated partners including Gil Roberto Zerrudo and Eliseo Zuñiga.

The strength and depth of Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako’s employment offering, particularly on contentious work, is hard to match. It is particularly noted for its expertise on strikes and collective bargaining negotiations. Rolando Mario Villonco heads the first-class team, which represents some of the largest domestic operating companies, including Philippine Airlines, San Miguel Corporation and Atlas Consolidated Mining.

Poblador Bautista & Reyes has a very good reputation, particularly for contentious employment matters. Managing partner Mario Bautista and senior partner Gilbert Reyes are both well regarded. Previous clients include EEI Corporation, Federal Express and the International School Manila.

Romulo’s employment practice is underpinned by the firm’s wider offering and impressive client base. Enriquito Mendoza heads the team, which is equally adept at contentious and non-contentious matters.

Lozano Tan leads the employment team at SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan, which provides very strong support to the firm’s market-leading corporate transactional practice. It is recommended for both contentious and non-contentious matters.

Roberto Parel is the main disputes partner at Belo Gozon Elma Parel Asuncion & Lucila Law Office, which is well versed in all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, including collective bargaining negotiations and employee benefit plans.

Carag, Jamora, Somera & Villareal Law Offices provides employment advice to a number of clients in the fashion and TMT sectors.

Castillo Laman Tan Pantaleon & San Jose’s Ancheta Tan has an excellent reputation and was a former President of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines.

Del Rosario & Del Rosario remains busy thanks to numerous maritime industry clients, including shipowners, agents, insurers and port owners, with the practice regularly instructed on personal injury claims work.

Ernesto Caluya is the main employment partner at JGLaw, which handles both contentious and non-contentious work and has strong experience in industrial relations matters.

Ocampo & Manalo’s Manolito Manalo recently represented US manufacturer Snap On Tools on employment issues regarding its Philippines operation.

Elizer Odulio is one of the main employment partners at Ortega Del Castillo Bacorro Odulio Calma & Carbonell, which acts for a number of major employment agencies as well as a broad spread of international clients.

Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos, which is experienced in both contentious and non-contentious matters, regularly advises clients on negotiations with trade unions and the Department of Labour. Purisimo Buyco is the main contact.

Ponce Enrile Reyes & Manalastas’ litigation head Denis Habawel is the main contact for employment law matters. The practice regularly advises on dismissal proceedings, collective bargaining agreements and labour contract reviews.

Puyat Jacinto & Santos Law Offices is highly experienced in BPO matters, where it has represented clients such as Hewlett Packard, JPMorgan Chase and Sykes Asia. Disputes partner Roy Enrico Santos is recommended.

Quiason Makalintal Barot Torres Ibarra & Sison is particularly strong on contentious employment matters. Head of litigation Orencio Ibarra is one of the main contacts.

Villaraza Cruz Marcelo & Angangco’s employment team is led by highly regarded disputes partner Alejandro Navarro. The firm advises on both contentious and non-contentious matters, including compliance and labour relations work.

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in Philippines

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

Press Releases worldwide

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to
  • Sayenko Kharenko – legal counsel on the acquisition of ING’s securities and custody services bus

    Sayenko Kharenko - legal counsel on the acquisition of ING's securities and custody services business by Citibank. Normal 0 false false false RU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Обычная таблица"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
  • LS Horizon Limited advised PTG Energy Public Company Limited

    LS Horizon Limited has advised PTG Energy Public Company Limited (the " Company "), which operates the business of distribution of petroleum products and equipment for gas stations, including fuel selling through its PT petrol stations, in connection with its initial public offering (" IPO ") and listing of its shares on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (" SET ").
  • Penningtons establishes pensions team with two senior lateral hires

    Penningtons Solicitors LLP has recruited partner Maria Riccio and associate Rupert Graham-Evans to lead its newly established pensions law team. Working between the firm's Hampshire and London offices, they will also support Penningtons' regional offices across Cambridge and the South East, advising clients in the UK and internationally.
  • Matouk Bassiouny Advises Emirates NBD PJSC on the USD 500 Million Acquisition of BNP Paribas S.A.E.

    Matouk Bassiouny advised Emirates NBD PJSC on the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of BNP Paribas S.A.E. in Egypt.  The value of the transaction amounted to USD 500 million. The Share Purchase Agreement was signed in December 2012 and closing took place in Cairo on Sunday June 9 th 2013. 
  • Partner and Senior Associate join Matouk Bassiouny's Dispute Resolution group

    We are delighted to inform you that Johanne Cox joins Matouk Bassiouny as a Partner in the firm's Dispute Resolution group. Johanne has practiced international arbitration in Egypt for a number of years, prior to which, she practiced arbitration in London and Paris at leading international law firms.  She is recognized in Legal 500 (2013) as "very experienced and knowledgeable", adding a "great dynamic" to her law firm's practice.  Johanne is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a Solicitor-Advocate in England and Wales, and an accredited Mediator.
  • Landmark Supreme Court judgement on the Rights of Depositors in Cyprus

    On 07.06.2013 the Supreme Court issued its judgment in the context of the first recourses filed by depositors and challenging the effect on depositors' funds of the recent bank resolution measures. The judgment is a very welcome development and should be viewed as a significant stepping stone in the future developments of the promotion of depositors' claims.
  • Kochański Zięba Rapala & Partners law firm is a laureate of the European Medal 2013

    Kochański Zięba Rapala & Partners law firm is honored to announce that it has been awarded the European Medal 2013 in the Final of the 24th Edition of the Competition organized by the Business Centre Club in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and under the honorary patronage of the European Economic and Social Committee.
  • Georg Fischer to acquire majority stake in Hakan Plastik of Turkey

    Georg Fischer Ltd. (GF) signed a share purchase agreement on 7 May 2013 to acquire majority stake in Hakan Plastik A.S., with an option to acquire the remaining shares in following years. 
    - Paksoy
  • Hengeler Mueller advises CEWE on transformation of legal form

    The Annual General Meeting of CEWE COLOR Holding AG has approved the change the company's legal form into a partnership limited by shares - Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien (KGaA). The change of the legal form includes the transfer of the business currently conducted by CEWE COLOR AG & Co. OHG to CEWE Stiftung & Co. KGaA.
  • Hengeler Mueller advises Grammer AG on refinancing by certificate of indebtedness

    Grammer AG (Amberg), a leading supplier of automotive interior and seating systems, has issued loans evidenced by certificate of indebtedness (Schuldscheindarlehen) in the amount of € 90 million which is divided into tranches of 4 and 6 years as well as fixed and variable interest rate tranches. Grammer AG is refinancing an existing loan evidenced by certificate of indebtedness of 2006 prior to maturity in August with part of the issuing proceeds.