Agenda

8.30am-9.00am Arrival & registrations 

9.00am-9.05am Opening remarks

9.05am-9.10am Keynote speaker

    • Millicent Joie Desiderio-Dime, managing director, global counsel ethics and compliance, Accenture

9.10am-10.05am You prompt it, you own it? Intellectual property in the AI era, in association with SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan

As artificial intelligence technologies rapidly transform business operations across sectors, intellectual property frameworks are being tested in unprecedented ways. This panel will examine some of the ways in which AI is reshaping the creation, ownership, protection, and enforcement of IP rights in the Philippines and beyond. From questions surrounding the ownership of AI-generated works to the IP treatment of emerging asset classes such as datasets, large languages models (LLMs), and other AI software, the IP implications of prompt engineering and training AI agents, and liability for infringement and other IP rights violations in the use of generative AI tools, the discussion will address some practical and strategic implications for corporate legal teams. Panelists will also explore regulatory developments, contractual safeguards, and governance and enforcement strategies that organisations can adopt to protect innovation while managing legal and reputational risk in the AI era.

    • Anthony W. Dee, senior partner and head of intellectual property department, SyCipLaw
    • Ma. Patricia B. Paz-Jacoba, partner, SyCipLaw
    • Leo Francis F. Abot, senior associate, SyCipLaw
    • Christine V. Pangilinan-Canlapan, director, bureau of legal affairs, intellectual property office of the Philippines
    • Kristian Nico Calugay Acosta, CLO & general counsel, CTI Group
    • William Chino T. Adasa, enterprise account director, Amazon Web Services

10.05am-10.55am The intersection of labour and data privacy, in association with Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia

As employers increasingly rely on digital systems to manage performance, monitor productivity, and safeguard corporate assets, labour law and data privacy considerations are becoming deeply intertwined. This panel will explore how Philippine employers can balance workplace oversight with employee data protection obligations under evolving privacy regulations. Panellists will examine issues such as employee monitoring, investigations, cross-border data transfers, and disciplinary action involving personal data. The discussion will provide practical guidance for GCs navigating the legal and reputational risks that arise at the intersection of workforce management and data governance.

    • Jerome D. Canlas, partner, Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
    • Rogelio D. Torres, Jr, partner, Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
    • Ramon Manolo A. Alcasabas, partner, Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia
    • Francis Euston R. Acer, data protection officer, Meralco
    • Cecilio Alejandro C. Villanueva, comissioner, National Labor Relations Commission
    • Caroline P. Lagos, legal executive, Nestle Philippines

10.55am-11.15am Coffee break

11.15am-11.25am The state of AI in the Philippines & ASEAN: navigating legal frameworks, business risks, and economic opportunities, in association with Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra

This keynote dives into the current and emerging legal landscape for AI in the Philippines and ASEAN, focusing on how pending bills and regulatory initiatives could reshape risks, compliance profiles, and economic opportunities for businesses. This session will cover Philippine Congress’ risk-based AI legislations, the core principles governing the legislation of AI – such as the need for safe and effective AI systems, strong privacy and human rights protections, transparency and explainability, fairness and accountability, and the right of citizens to contest automated decisions – and their implications for governance, labor practices, and corporate accountability. The keynote will also introduce a snapshot on ASEAN’s developing approach to AI regulation, offering comparative insights and practical guidance for general counsels on cross-border compliance, corporate policy, and proactive risk mitigation.

    • Mark S. Gorriceta, chairman and managing partner, Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra

11.25am-12.05pm Adopting AI at scale: enterprise strategy, governance, and legal readiness, in association with Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
This panel examines how Philippine businesses can explore AI and scale it into enterprise-level adoption while preparing for emerging governance and compliance expectations. It will cover factors unique to the Philippine narrative on AI adoption, including developing regulations, upgrading legacy systems, and upskilling the labor sector, and where legal and governance policies should step in to manage these factors and risks. The discussion will also focus on how companies evaluate AI solutions and use cases, assess data readiness and ownership, set procurement and vendor standards, and establish clear accountability in managing AI risks across the organization.

Framed against the trajectory of AI bills in Congress, including proposals for national AI councils, labor protections against automation, and ethical standards for AI systems, the panel will translate regulatory intent into actionable corporate policies such as AI use frameworks, procurement standards, and workforce transition programs. Drawing on ASEAN trends and the Philippine government’s broader digital strategy, the panel will share practical guidance for in-house lawyers and business leaders on advising boards and management on AI risk, data protection, and strategic compliance in a shifting legal frontier.

Prior to the panel session, there will be a ten-minute presentation which will cover Philippine Congress’ risk-based AI legislations, the core principles governing the legislation of AI – such as the need for safe and effective AI systems, strong privacy and human rights protections, transparency and explainability, fairness and accountability, and the right of citizens to contest automated decisions – and their implications for governance, labor practices, and corporate accountability.

    • Mark S. Gorriceta, chairman and managing partner, Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    • Kristine T. Torres, partner, Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    • Edsel F. Tupaz, senior partner, Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra
    • Ambe C. Tierro, country managing director and lead for advanced technology centers, Accenture
    • Maria Rosell S. Gomez – partner for risk services and co-lead of AI practice, PwC Philippines

12.05pm-12.35pm Labour and employment law update: what every Philippine GC needs to know, in association with Villaraza & Angangco

Labour and employment issues remain among the most immediate and high-risk areas for in-house counsel. This panel will provide a practical update on recent jurisprudence, regulatory developments, and enforcement trends affecting employers in the Philippines. Senior practitioners will discuss how GCs can ensure compliance with evolving legal standards, manage workforce disputes, and mitigate reputational and operational risk. The session will focus on actionable insights to help legal leaders navigate complex employment challenges while supporting business continuity and organisational stability.

    • Rashel Ann C. Pomoy, senior partner, deputy co-managing partner, deputy head – labor and employment department, Villaraza & Angangco
    • Rhys Alexei Y. Murillo, CPA, JD, CCO, general manager and corporate secretary –compliance, legal, external and gov’t affairs division, Nissan Philippines
    • Thea Marie B. Jimenez, head, labor relations division–legal affairs and corporate secretariat group, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation
    • Cielo Marjorie A. Goño, senior legal counsel, Huawei Technologies Philippines

12.35pm-1.35pm Lunch

1.35pm-2.25pm The PPSA transition period is over: understanding the Current Landscape of the PPSA and the Registry, in association with ACCRA Law

This session will provide an overview of the Personal Property Security Act and the operation of the Personal Property Security Registry in the Philippines. The discussion will examine the legal framework governing security interests in movable property, the process for registration and notice, and the role of the registry in supporting secured lending. Panellists will also consider practical issues for lenders, businesses, and legal practitioners using the system.

    • Joseph Anthony I. Malaya, partner, ACCRA Law
    • Shiree Amor P. Roma, partner, ACCRA Law
    • Gwendolynn S. Padilla, first vice president – head, legal documentation division, legal affairs group and corporate secretariat, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation
    • Gerardo Panga Sirios, administrator, Land Registration Authority

2.25pm-2.55pm Emerging trends and challenges, and the developing role of GCs in finance, in association with Tiaoqui Sese-Relucio & Mendoza
This panel will explore emerging trends and challenges brought about by recent legislation and burgeoning market practice in financing deals (project, syndicated, acquisition finance and/or leveraged buyouts), and the critical and evolving role of GCs in these transactions, from initial contracting at the term sheet level, the negotiation of financing and security documents and all the way to financial close. Seasoned practitioners will discuss how GCs can manage the process and ensure readiness and capability to assist decision makers at the sponsor side or at the lender side on how to identify, prevent, manage or mitigate risks arising from the transaction, from documentation, conditions compliance to financial close. It will include a candid discussion between in-house counsel and external counsel, to a certain extent, determine the likelihood of implementing and closing financing arrangements between corporate borrowers and institutional lenders in a manner consistent with the parties’ expectations.

    • Mark Tiaoqui, partner, Tiaoqui Sese-Relucio & Mendoza
    • Andrea Antonette A. Sese-Relucio, partner, Tiaoqui Sese-Relucio & Mendoza
    • Timothy Joseph Mendoza, partner, Tiaoqui Sese-Relucio & Mendoza
    • Juan Paolo Colet, managing director, Chinabank Capital
    • Philip Miguel I. Ranada, chief legal officer, Prime infra
    • Cristina G. Ngo, senior vice president and head of lending services department, BDO Unibank

2.55pm-3.25pm AI and the GC’s Evolving Role: From Oversight to Impact in association with Weave Solutions
As AI adoption accelerates, legal teams are shifting from reactive oversight to a more strategic role — setting guardrails, strengthening governance, and enabling responsible innovation.

This session explores how legal leaders can stay ahead by building capability, shaping AI strategy, and turning adoption into real business value. It will also touch on how AI is improving legal and GRC functions, from risk detection to compliance monitoring.

As a result, the General Counsel is evolving into a strategic advisor, helping the business navigate risk while unlocking AI-driven opportunities.

    • Rosario M. Gruet, managing director, Weave Solutions
    • Freedom Ianfe M. Navidad, assistant vice president and head of subsidiaries & affiliates, corporate legal services, Meralco
    • Dodjie Lagazo, group general counsel, group compliance officer & assistant corporate secretary, ACEN
    • Joan A. De Venecia-Fabul, chief legal counsel and first vice president, PLDT Inc.

3.45pm-4.00pm Coffee break

4.00pm-4.30pm Discussing the GC-law firm relationship, in association with Editorial

The relationship between in-house legal teams and external counsel is changing. In this discussion, leading in-house and external counsels share their perspectives on how general counsel can get the most from outside counsel while navigating a fast-evolving legal environment. Expect practical insights on collaboration, expectations, and how the GC role continues to expand.

    • Millicent Joie Desiderio-Dime, managing director, global counsel ethics and compliance, Accenture
    • Lorna Patajo-Kapunan, owner, Kapunan & Castillo Law Offices

4.30pm-4.40pm Closing remarks

    • Kristian Nico Calugay Acosta, CLO & general counsel, CTI Group

4.45pm-6.30pm Drinks and canapes