The Legal 500 > Asia Pacific > Philippines > Real estate and construction

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) advises on real estate development, construction, sales and acquisitions, and counts leading real estate developers among its clients. The team also advises its corporate clients on real estate transactions; recently, this has included acting as counsel for GlaxoSmithKline Philippines (and affiliated entities) in the proposed sale of the company's main office building in Makati City, together with the land it sits on. The team also has experience in land reclamation projects. Judy Hao heads the practice, which includes key partner Victor Lazatin, whose practice spans dispute resolution and real estate and construction.

The 'responsive and knowledgeable' team at Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) remains active in the real estate, construction and infrastructure sectors. Its diverse client base comprises new and longstanding clients operating in the transport, construction, energy and real estate sectors. In recent work, practice co-head Jaime Renato Gatmaytan and a team advised United Overseas Bank on a extending a loan facility to a Singapore property company, supported by a suretyship agreement issued by a Philippine affiliate of the borrower; the loan will be used to acquire a property in Singapore’s central business district. Norma Margarita Patacsil co-heads the team and often advises leading real estate developer Ayala Land on its land acquisitions and other legal issues.

Martinez Vergara Gonzalez & Serrano's real estate team receives plaudits for being 'accessible and creative'. It counts a number of notable real estate developers among its clients, including Property Company of Friends, which the team recently advised on commercial, retail and office leases for its industrial parks and IT park. It is adept in the capital markets space, and often acts for property companies in bond and note issuances, and project finance is another strength at the firm. Practice co-head Erika Paulino has notable experience in real estate financing and corporate transactions. Mark Vergara co-leads the group alongside Paulino and is active in project finance for construction and infrastructure developments.

Sitting within the broader corporate and commercial department, Quisumbing Torres's real estate and REITs practice group and hotels, resorts and tourism industry group provide a comprehensive service, covering everything from real estate finance to tax to commercial leasing. Construction litigation also features, and clients benefit from the firm's recently launched complimentary handbook, which assists companies in avoiding and managing construction disputes. Its clients include leading corporations from diverse sectors, often with multinational operations, and the team is able to leverage the Baker McKenzie firm network in cross-border projects. Pearl Liu and Julius Cervantes are leading figures in the team, and Michael Macapagal is a key contact at the associate level.

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan services a diverse client base that ranges from individuals to foreign governments to real estate developers; for the latter, the team has experience advising on township projects, industrial parks, golf courses, hotels, residential condominiums and other developments. The full-service firm's leading practices in corporate and M&A and finance allow it to provide a comprehensive service. The team has recently advised on mixed-use real estate developments, land sales and acquisitions and leasing. John Paul De Leon has a strong focus on real estate; other key practitioners include Marievic Ramos-Añonuevo - who draws on over 30 years' experience - and Angel Salita Jr.

Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) receives plaudits for its 'practical and helpful' advice. It advises developers of commercial, residential, industrial and mixed-use projects on the corporate, commercial, real estate and regulatory aspects of their developments. Recently, the team has advised a number of clients on the sale and acquisitions of land. Sylvette Tankiang receives particular praise; she has experience in the real estate, mining, natural resources and energy sectors, among others. Raoul Angangco and Maria Concepcion Simundac are also key practitioners in this space.

Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia has experience in commercial, residential, industrial, and mixed-use real estate projects, and its clients include multilateral international organisations, local government units and private corporations. The team often advises on the purchase (including the due diligence) of real estate. Recently, Divina Gracia Pedron and a team assisted the Korean Embassy in the Philippines in the negotiation of a sale agreement for the acquisition of land and/or office condominium units in Metro Manila for the use of the Korean Cultural Center Philippines. Aida Araceli Roxas-Rivera and Manuel Manaligod are names to note.

Fortun Narvasa & Salazar is equipped to handle a number of corporate real estate transactions, and has recently worked with a number of new and longstanding clients in the real estate, hotels and energy sectors. Highlights included advising Unilinkland Properties and the Xiang Lu Group of Companies on the due diligence of 11 parcels of land, consisting of 165 hectares, located in Porac, Pampanga; Roderick Salazar III led the advice and was supported by key associate John Matthew Medina.

Well-regarded firm Gulapa & Quicho (Gulapa Law) maintains a focus on real estate, construction and infrastructure. In addition to the Manila office, the firm benefits from having two offices in the US, in New York and San Francisco, allowing the firm to assist US-based clients in their investments and expansion into the Philippine and ASEAN markets. The firm has particular strength in PPPs involving road, rail, sea and airport projects. Highlights included assisting Asian Development Bank, which advised the Bases Conversion Development Authority in the selection process for its joint venture partner for the development of a 200-hectare National Government Administrative Center. Aris Gulapa leads the team, which includes recently promoted partner Jose Angel Machuca.

The real estate and construction team at Ocampo Manalo Valdez & Lim advises on commercial agreements and regulatory concerns. Clients include Aeroports de Paris Management, Cockram Construction, Eversendai Philippines, Kajima and Takenaka Construction.

The real estate transactions practice at Siguion Reyna, Montecillo & Ongsiako particularly focuses on work with industrial park developers and operators, as well as many forms of documentation. The team is led by Nicanor Padilla.