Well-regarded for its expertise in blockchain and cryptocurrency, cybersecurity, and data privacy, Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra advises a stellar roster of fintech clients. The practice is jointly headed by Mark Gorriceta and Micaela Kristina Galvez, alongside Kristine Torres who provides the team with expertise of finance and capital markets. Anthony Edsel Tupaz is a key contact for domestic tech start-ups work and Liane Stella Candelario is proficient in the corporate structuring of blockchain-based tech companies.
TMT in Philippines
Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
Practice head(s):
Mark Gorriceta; Kristine Torres; Micaela Galvez
Other key lawyers:
Anthony Edsel Tupaz; Liane Stella Candelario
Key clients
UnionBank of the Philippines
UBX Philippines Corporation
Binance Capital Management Co. Ltd
dLocal, LLP
Xendit
DragonPay
Investree Philippines, Inc
Appsolutely Inc.
Plentina Lending, Inc
F(Dev) Digital Innovations and Ventures Inc.
Shopee
Binance Investments Co. Ltd
PDAX
Work highlights
- Assisted Direct Agent 5 in its application for Electronic Money Issuer and Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licenses.
Quisumbing Torres
Often advising multinational companies on TMT transactions, Quisumbing Torres’ team's recent work highlights include its assisting SpaceX in obtaining approval for its Starlink Satellite Internet Services in the Philippines. The team’s key strengths also lie in advising on antitrust, cloud services, cyber security, fintech as well as health-related tech matters. Co-lead of the team Gil Roberto Zerrudo is seasoned in digital transformation in the healthcare, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical sectors. Also co-lead of the team, Divina Pastora Ilas-Panganiban’s broad practice encompasses copyright, patent, trademark as well as other IP rights. Maria Christina Macasaet-Acaban is knowledgeable of corporate reorganisations and restructuring. Bienvenido Marquez and Frederick Jose are also names to note.
Practice head(s):
Gil Roberto Zerrudo; Divina Pastora Ilas-Panganiban
Other key lawyers:
Maria Christina Macasaet-Acaban; Bienvenido Marquez; Frederick Jose; Ina Alexandra Dominguez
Testimonials
‘The team stands out for their flexibility, agility and extensive expertise. They possess a strong understanding of the technology industry.’
‘They have consistently demonstrated their ability to craft comprehensive solutions tailored to clients’ specific needs.’
‘Bienvenido Marquez and Frederick Jose respond promptly to our instructions.’
Key clients
Alphabet (Google Inc.)
PruLife Insurance Corporation of U.K. / Prudential Corporation Asia
SBA Communications Corporation
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX)
Work highlights
- Successfully assisted SpaceX in the accreditation of its Starlink Philippine entity as a Satellite Systems Providers or Operator.
- Advised PruLife Insurance Corporation of U.K. (PLUK) and Prudential Corporation Asia (Prudential Asia) on various Philippine regulatory matters in relation to the operation of PulseApp.
- Obtained a favorable decision for a multinational superapp in a complaint which was filed by a rider for an alleged violation of Philippine data privacy laws.
SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan
Operating under the leadership of Rocky Alejandro Reyes, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan is particularly experienced in M&A pertaining to data centres as well as telecoms. The practice’s key strengths also lie in data privacy and cybersecurity, insure-tech, IP and satellite services matters. Rose Marie M. King-Dominguez is a key port of call for significant tech and media clients on market entry and regulatory matters. Franco Aristotle Larcina is knowledgeable of tech and data privacy as well as securities regulations, while John Paul De Leon is well-regarded for his expertise in the fintech sector. Arlene Maneja is well-informed on the antitrust implications of acquisitions, while Ricardo Jesus Gutierrez is seasoned in franchising and distribution.
Practice head(s):
Rocky Alejandro Reyes
Other key lawyers:
Rose Marie M. King-Dominguez; Franco Aristotle Larcina; John Paul De Leon; Arlene Maneja; Ricardo Jesus Gutierrez; Russel L. Rodriguez
Key clients
Aboitiz Group
Dentsu Aegis Network
Frontier Tower Associates Philippines, Inc.
Keppel Midgard Holdings Pte. Ltd.
Metro Pacific Group
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
PLDT Inc.
San Miguel Corporation
Smart Telecommunications
Thomson Reuters
Work highlights
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law)
A key contact for e-commerce platforms, online service providers as well as social media and social networks, Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law)'s practice is adept in advising on data protection, network infrastructure as well as online content and advertisements matters. Head of the group, Mary Thel Mundin is often engaged in fintech mandates while Deborah Sobrepena-Lacson advises clients on domestic telecoms infrastructure and regulation cases. Vladi Miguel Lazaro and Dwight Tan are also noted for their expertise in data protection and privacy.
Practice head(s):
Mary Thel Mundin
Other key lawyers:
Deborah Sobrepena-Lacson; Vladi Miguel Lazaro; Dwight Tan
Testimonials
‘G&C Law have good experience in the telecommunications industry and take a commercial and pragmatic approach to their legal advice.’
‘I find them very responsive and thorough. ’
‘Deborah Sobrepena-Lacson is commercial and pragmatic.’
‘Very well-versed in the practice area, very thorough and details-oriented, while being practical at the same time. A good mix.’
‘Mary Thel Mundin is very knowledgeable, thorough, and helpful.’
‘They have good experience in the telecommunications industry and take a commercial and pragmatic approach to their legal advice, with a focus on finding solutions rather than highlighting all the problems. I find them very responsive and thorough.’
‘They are all commercial and pragmatic lawyers who provide simple advice on complex issues, empowering my business to make decisions and put in place appropriate risk mitigations.’
Work highlights
Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law)
Advising on telecoms infrastructure investments and development projects, Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) counts domestic start-ups, foreign telecoms companies and multinational corporations among its key roster of clients. Raoul Angangco, Sylvette Tankiang and Franchette Acosta collectively lead the team.
Practice head(s):
Raoul Angangco; Sylvette Tankiang; Franchette Acosta
Other key lawyers:
Richard Henrick Beltran; Kristin Charisse Siao
Key clients
Globe Telecom, Inc./GTI Business Holdings, Inc.
DITO Telecommunity Corporation
China Telecommunications Corporation
Lalamove Philippines, Inc.
Ninja Express Tech Philippines, Inc.
SEA Group
Tata Consultancy Services Philippines, Inc.
Nissan Philippines, Inc.
Volopay Philippines, Inc.
GPay Network PH Inc.
AMZing, Inc.
Work highlights
- Representing ISOC in its Joint Venture with EGSB worth Php 500,000,000.00 for the creation of a telecommunications tower company in the Philippines.
- Engaged as legal counsel to assist in the conduct of due diligence examination on Payment Innovations, Inc., a corporate engaged in processing payments of any persons or the government.
- Provided a comprehensive advice to GPay Network PH Inc. on the regulatory requirements for the application for a Virtual Asset Service Provider license before the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law)
With expertise in e-government services, Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law)'s practice is experienced in representing clients before the National Privacy Commission for alleged violations of the Data Privacy Act. Aris Gulapa oversees the group, while Phillip Don Recentes’ practice namely encompasses i-tech law. Kevin Mandococ is another key member of the team.
Practice head(s):
Aris Gulapa
Other key lawyers:
Phillip Don Recentes; Kevin Mandococ
Key clients
Asian Development Bank (“ADB”)
APO-UGEC Security Printing Joint Venture
Ayala Land, Inc.
International Finance Corporation (“IFC”)
AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation
Day1Tech Inc.
Vigan Banco Rural Incorporada
Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc.
Work highlights
- Advising the Asian Development Bank and Bases Conversion and Development Authority on a proposed Technology Infrastructure Project under a public-private partnership.
- Assisting on the joint venture between APO Production Unit, Inc. and the United Graphic Expression Corporation which will deliver the upgrade of APO’s high security printing facility.
- Assisting the International Finance Corporation in conducting a feasibility study of the Department of Information and Communication Technology’s broadband infrastructure investment plan.
Zambrano Gruba Caganda & Advincula
A strong choice for virtual asset service providers, Zambrano Gruba Caganda & Advincula regularly assists its clients in obtaining operator of payment licenses. Antero Jose Caganda and Angelo Patrick Advincula are also key members of the team.
Other key lawyers:
Antero Jose Caganda; Angelo Patrick Advincula
Key clients
Wise Philippines Inc.
HitPay Payment Solutions Inc.
Magpie Inc.
Several Commodities and Forex Companies
Work highlights
- Assisted Wise Philippines Inc. in acquiring an acknowledgement certificate for a component of the Computerized Accounting system.
- Acquired an Operator of Payment (OPS) license from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the national central bank for the client, HitPay Payment Solutions Inc.
- Advised several commodities and foreign exchange companies in the Philippines on expanding operations in the country.