Firm Profile > Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) > Manila, Philippines
Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) Offices
22/F-26/F ACCRALAW TOWER, 2ND AVENUE, CORNER 30TH STREET
CRESCENT PARK WEST, BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY
1635 TAGUIG, METRO MANILA
Philippines
Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) > The Legal 500 Rankings
Banking and finance Tier 1
Led by Judy Hao, Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw)'s sizeable banking and finance team advises lenders and borrowers on transactions. The firm's client base includes banks and companies, including some of the most prominent Filipino financial institutions. Andre Navato is another key contact.
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Key clients
Philippine National Bank
ASA Philippines Foundation, Inc
Polymer Link Sdn Bhd.
BDO Capital & Investment Corporation
Standard Chartered Bank
Capital markets Tier 1
Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) is involved in a range of debt and equity raising transactions, advising underwriters, issuers, lead managers, and arrangers. The team is particularly active in IPOs and is currently advising the issuer on the first real estate investment trust (REIT) IPO in this market. Judy Hao leads the team, which also includes the experienced Francisco Lim and Everlene Lee.
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Key clients
The Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp.
BDO Capital & investment Corporation
China Bank Capital Corporation
Philippine National Bank
Ayala Land, Inc.
First Metro Investment Corporation
Fruitas Holdings, Inc.
Standard Chartered Bank
Corporate and M&A Tier 1
Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) operates a very broad corporate practice, assisting its household-name clients with the establishment of complex business ventures, in addition to structuring corporate vehicles to facilitate foreign investments. The group's M&A offering is particularly strong with regards to the manufacturing sector and the team has advised on numerous high-profile matters, such as Anhui Conch Cement Company Limited's purchase of 85.7% of Holcim Phils., Inc. Practice head Judy Hao has expertise that includes assisting with the establishment of branch offices and regional operating headquarters of foreign enterprises. Joselito Bautista is experienced in the regulatory issues related to business process outsourcing entities. Everlene Lee combines corporate work with her securities and capital markets practice.
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Testimonials
‘They have a good understanding of the needs of a US company operating in Philippines. They are also very good and responsive on general areas of corporate work as secretarial, IP, commercial contracts, etc. They have provided strong support to us on M&A related matters in the recent past.‘
‘Judy Hao and Everlene Less have been very good in serving us.‘
‘Very responsive, flexible and prompt in reverting. Also, accommodating in terms of work connects given need for operating in different time zones, on occasions.‘
Key clients
Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation
Johnsonville Sausage LLC
Sealed Air Corporation
Anhui Conch Cement Company Limited
C&U Group Co., Ltd.
WPP 2005 Limited and WPP Plc
ISGEC Heavy Engineering Ltd. (ISGEC)
Chemical Industries of the Philippines
Jebsen & Jebsen Pte Ltd.
Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company
Dispute resolution Tier 1
One of the major disputes firms in the Philippines, Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw)'s extensive and wide-ranging practice encompasses complex commercial disputes, crime, competition and environmental issues. Bringing claims against public bodies, often in the Supreme Court, is an area of particular specialism and in 2019 the firm represented Manila Electric Company in a dispute relating to issuances by the Energy Regulatory Commission. The group also has a strong arbitration practice; Jose Martin R Tensuan handles disputes before the Construction Industry Arbitration Commission regarding airports and expressways. Arnold M Corporal is particularly active in disputes in the energy, telecoms and media sectors. Leland R Villadolid, Jr. handles technology-related issues including cybercrime and cyber security. Victor Lazatin is also noted.
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Key clients
Manila Electric Company
Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation
Chevron Philippines, Inc.
Petron Corporation
The Philippine Star
Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company
PLDT, Inc.
Banco de Oro Unibank, Inc.
TV5 Network Inc.
Smart Communications, Inc.
Iglesia Ni Cristo
CoStar Group, Inc.
SM Prime Holdings, Inc.
D.M. Consunji, Inc.
Sanofi Pasteur, Inc.
Immigration Tier 1
Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw)'s immigration practice covers applications for alien employment visas and special work permits, as well as more specialist work such as challenging denials of naturalisation petitions and deportations. The practice is led by Maria Khristina Garcia-Angel, who acts for clients including multinationals and large Filipino companies. Associate Napoleon Gonzales is also noted.
Intellectual property Tier 1
One of the largest full-service firms in the Philippines, Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) provides 'detailed, clear advice' to high-profile, international clients on the registration and protection of their intellectual property. The firm is a popular choice for high-profile brands, and frequently engages in trade mark enforcement, including conducting raids to seize counterfeit goods. Alex Ferdinand Fider leads the department and assists clients from the pharmaceutical, broadcasting, food and engineering industries with the protection of their rights; in 2019, Fider, alongside Richmond Lee, represented Monde Nissin in filing an opposition against the registration of a mark that is similar to its “NAMNAM” mark used on a food seasoning product. John Paul M Gaba handles intellectual property matters in the context of technology.
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Testimonials
‘They are knowledgeable and prompt. They give you a sense that your matters are being handled very professionally‘
‘Detailed, clear advice, consistent, timely.‘
Key clients
Bayer AG
Energizer Holdings, Inc.
BP
Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
The Estee Lauder Group of Companies
Jardine Matheson Group of Companies
San Miguel Group of Companies
Hershey’s Chocolate & Confectionery Corporation
Asics Corporation
CoStar Group, Inc.
PLDT, Inc.
iNova Pharmaceuticals
Monde Nissin Corporation
Labour and employment Tier 1
Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) advises a client base of local Filipino companies and multinationals on labour issues, with a particular strength handling employers and unions. The practice also advises on redundancies and restructurings, as well as advising foreign companies on compliance with Filipino laws relating to contracting. The team is led by Clarence Darrow C Valdecantos, Neptali B Salvanera and managing partner Emerico De Guzman. Of counsel Emiterio C Manibog, Jr., Joy Leong-Pambid and Franchesca Abigail Gesmundo are also key figures in the practice.
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Key clients
Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc.
Wells Fargo Enterprise Global Services, LLC-Philippines
PMFTC Inc.
Suzuki Philippines, Inc.
Fisher Rosemount Systems, Inc. (Phil. Branch)
ING Business Shared Services B.V. Branch Office
24-7 Intouch PH Inc.
Procter & Gamble Philippines
Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation
Sony Philippines, Inc.
Asahi Glass Company Ltd.
J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. Manila Branch/J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.-Philippine Global Service Center
General Motors Automobiles Philippines, Inc.
Sun Life Financial Asia Services Limited
ePerformax Contact Centers & BPO
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals (Phils), Inc.
LizardBear Tasking, Inc.
Proview Global Administration, Inc.
Inspiro Relia, Inc.
TRP, Inc.
SC Reservations, Inc. (doing business under the name and style of IHG)
Denso Philippines Corporation
Chevron Philippines, Inc.
Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation
Unilever Philippines, Inc.
Glaxo SmithKline Philippines, Inc.
Masuma Food Industry, Inc.<p
Real estate and construction Tier 1
Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) specialises in advising developers based both locally and abroad on significant horizontal and vertical development projects. Such projects include malls, hotels, resorts and factories. Judy Hao and Victor Lazatin are the key practitioners.
Tax Tier 1
Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) stands out for its experience in advising prominent clients on tax litigation. A stand-out case for the practice is its representation of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Filipino central bank, in its dispute with the tax authority, a rare tax case involving a government entity. The team also advises clients on the tax implications of investments, as well as on succession and estate planning. The team is led by Ruby Rose Yusi, Eric Recalde, and Oliver Pantaleon.
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Key clients
Banco De Oro Unibank, Inc.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
Citibank N.A.
Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company
Philippine National Bank
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Union Bank of the Philippines
Allegro Microsystems Philippines, Inc.
Araneta Group of Companies
Beiersdorf Philippines, Inc.
Campaigns and Grey, Inc.
Del Monte Phillipines, Inc.
Hershey Philippines, Inc.
Light Rail Manila Corporation
Procter & Gamble Philippines, Inc.
Rappler, Inc.
Smartmatic Philippines
SM Prime Holdings, Inc.
Subic Water and Sewerage Co., Inc.
Sumisetsu Philippines, Inc.
Tetra Pak (Philippines), Inc.
Projects and energy Tier 2
Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) advises on various issues relating to power projects, including the creation of joint ventures, power purchase agreements, operating and management agreements, financing agreements, and construction contracts. Aison Velasco is heavily involved in energy matters; he maintains a close relationship with Manila Electric Company, which is the largest energy distribution company in the city. In 2019, Velasco advised the Company as part of a consortium on a joint venture to finance and construct an electric power distribution system in New Clark City. Melissa Velarde advises government agencies and private entities on bidding processes, particularly with regards to renewable energy projects.
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Key clients
ISGEC Heavy Engineering Ltd. (ISGEC)
Manila Electric Company
Gemalto Pte Ltd.
Philcox (Phils.), Inc.
SM Prime Holdings, Inc.
PT Waskita Karya (Persoro) Tbk
Law firms in Cebu
One of the largest firms in the country, the Cebu office of Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) provides a full service to local clients, advising on matters ranging from civil and criminal litigation to intellectual property and environmental matters. The firm has been particularly active in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, advising prestigious clients including JP Morgan on issuances and protocols required to resume operation. Eduardo Soleng Jr. was appointed monitor of the Cebu office in 2020; his varied practice includes advising on all types of litigation and acting as counsel for foreign corporations in the mining, cement and construction sectors. Jefferson Marquez handles labour disputes and arbitration proceedings, while Maria Iolanda Abella specialises in corporate compliance and employment law.
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Key clients
Cemex Holdings Philippines, Inc./Apo Land and Quarry Corporation
Taiheiyo Cement Philippines
SM Prime Holdings Inc.
Ayala Land, Inc.
The Philippine American Life & General Insurance Company
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A
EPerformax Contact Centers (Cebu) Corp.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation
Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc.
Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu
Lexmark Research & Development Corporation
Dupont Nutrition Philippines, Inc
Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation
Chevron Philippines, Inc.
Petron Corporation
GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation
VICSAL Development Corporation
Federal Land Inc.
LH Paragon, Inc.
University of St. La Salle, Inc.
Colorado Shipyard Corporation
SSI Philippines, Inc.
Law firms in Davao
Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw), which has had a presence in Davao for over 20 years, has a strong track record of advising both individuals and companies on a broad range of issues. Dispute resolution is an area of particular specialism and the group advises extensively on criminal and civil cases. On the non-contentious side, the team handles employment, corporate, tax and intellectual property issues. Myra Montecalvo-Quilatan and senior partner Maria Iolanda Abella lead the Davao practice; the former has a diverse and wide-ranging practice covering dispute resolution, corporate, tax and real estate, while the latter specialises in large M&A transactions.
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Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) > Firm Profile
The firm: Founded in 1972 by Senator Edgardo J Angara, Attys. Manuel G Abello, Teodoro D Regala, Jose C Concepcion and Avelino V Cruz, ACCRALAW is a cohesive multi-disciplinary team of legal professionals with in-depth knowledge of specialized legal fields. Backed by almost fifty (50) years of experience in Philippine law, the firm has grown to a prestigious service organization of 170 lawyers and 178 non-legal personnel.
A top-tier institutional firm, ACCRALAW is based at the ACCRALAW Tower in the Bonifacio Global City, Metro Manila, and has full-service branches in Cebu City and Davao City – thriving commercial and business centers in the southern islands of the Philippines. The firm is linked to a global network of correspondent lawyers, law firms and Bar associations.
To enhance the delivery of services to clients, the firm has computerized its operations since the early 1980s. It was the first law firm in the Philippines to utilize a widely used, comprehensive and integrated computer system for law offices.
Areas of practice: The firm has a track record in handling diverse, significant and complex business projects and joint ventures involving multinational clients, and has handled a great number of landmark litigation cases.
ACCRALAW’s clientele represents the full spectrum of business and industry, as well as professional organizations and individuals. Serving the firm’s clients are seven practice departments and its two branches that offer timely, creative and strategic legal solutions alongside cost-effective administration and expert handling of clients’ requirements.
The retainer department provides legal services required by the firm’s general retainer clients in the ordinary course of business, such as consultation and advice on simple operational issues, preparation of ordinary contracts and legal documents and their rendition of ordinary legal opinions.
The intellectual property department represents clients in all aspects of IP protection, including registration and post-registration, enforcement of IP rights and in prosecuting or defending any litigation matter involving IP issues.
The corporate and special projects department performs legal services in connection with the establishment of business enterprises, mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance (including project finance), securities issues, public/private partnership projects, and energy/utilities projects, among others.
The labour and employment department renders assistance in the formulation of employment policies, and in the handling of administrative cases including employees, the litigation of cases involving their dismissal and suspension, money claims and damages arising from employer-employee relations, petitions for certification elections, intra- and inter-union disputes, negotiations for collective bargaining agreements, unfair labour practice, preventive mediation/conciliation of labour disputes, strikes and walkouts, grievance handling and labour arbitration, labour-related cases and other related matters.
The litigation and dispute resolution department supervises and monitors all litigation matters before regular courts of law, administrative agencies, quasi-judicial tribunals and arbitral bodies (both international and domestic).
The tax department offers services covering the entire field of national and local taxation, customs and anti-dumping laws.
The immigration department represents clients before government agencies involved in defining the terms and conditions of a non-resident’s authorized stay in the Philippines.
The firm’s managing partner is Emerico O De Guzman, and the co-managing partner is Salvador L. Peña.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor and Employment Department | Emerico O. De Guzman | eodeguzman@accralaw.com | +632 8830-8000 |
| Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department | Salvador L. Pena | slpena@accralaw.com | +632 8830-8000 |
| Retainer Department | Josephine Alessandra G. Cochico | jgcochico@accralaw.com | +632 8830-8000 |
| Retainer Department | Aison Benedict C. Velasco | acvelasco@accralaw.com | +632 8830-8000 |
| Intellectual Property Department | Alex Ferdinand S. Fider | asfider@accralaw.com | +632 8830-8000 |
| Intellectual Property Department | Richmond K. Lee | rklee@accralaw.com | +632 8830-8000 |
| Corporate and Special Projects Department | Judy Hao | jhao@accralaw.com | +632 8830-8000 |
| Corporate and Special Projects Department | Joselito M. Bautista | jmbautista@acrralaw.com | +632 8830-8000 |
| Corporate Services Group | Elaine Patricia S. Reyes-Rodolfo | esreyes@accralaw.com | +632 8830-8000 |
| Labor and Employment Department | Clarence Darrow C. Valdecantos | ccvaldecantos@accralaw.com | +632 8830-8000 |
| Labor and Employment Department | Neptali B. Salvanera | nbsalvanera@accralaw.com | +632 8830-8000 |
| Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department | Leland R. Villadolid, Jr. | lrvilladolidjr@accralaw.com | +632 8830-8000 |
| Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department | Jose Martin R. Tensuan | mrtensuan@accralaw.com | +632 8830-8000 |
| Tax Department | Eric R. Recalde | errecalde@accralaw.com | +632 8830-8000 |
| Immigration Department | Maria Khristina Z. Garcia-Angel | kzgarcia@accralaw.com | +632 8830-8000 |
| Cebu City Branch | Jefferson M. Marquez | jmmarquez@accralaw.com | (6332) 231-1449; (6332) 231-4223 |
| Cebu City Branch | Eduardo V. Soleng, Jr. | evsolengjr@accralaw.com | (6332) 231-1449; (6332) 231-4223 |
| Davao City Branch | Ma. Iolanda B. Abella | ibabella@accralaw.com | (6382) 224-0996; (6382) 224-0998 |
| Davao City Branch | Myra S. Montecalvo | msmontecalvo@accralaw.com | (6382) 224-0996; (6382) 224-0998 |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ms Ana Lourdes Teresa Arnaldo-Oracion | Senior Partner Admiralty & Maritime | Anti-Bribery, Corruption and Anti- Money Laundering… | View Profile |
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Ms Creselda G. Baldonado | Partner Criminal Law | Environment and Natural Resources | Family and Matrimonial… | View Profile |
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Ms Josephine Alessandra G. Cochico | Senior Partner Contracts | Corporate | Insurance | Investment, Mergers and Acquisitions… | View Profile |
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Mr Reynaldo J. Concepcion | Partner Environment and Natural Resources | Investment, Mergers and Acquisitions | Real… | View Profile |
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Mr Arnold M. Corporal | Partner Advertising and Mass Media | Antitrust & Trade Regulation | Arbitration… | View Profile |
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Mr Avelino V. Cruz | Founding Partner Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice | Appellate Practice | Corporate… | View Profile |
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Mr Emerico O. De Guzman | Senior Partner Appellate Practice | Business Process Outsourcing | Labor and Employment… | View Profile |
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Mr Alex Ferdinand S. Fider | Senior Partner Copyright and Related Rights | Internet, Technology and Science |… | View Profile |
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Mr Gilberto D. Gallos | Senior Partner Arbitration and Mediation | Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Corporate Rehabilitation |… | View Profile |
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Ms Rowena L. Garcia-Flores | Senior Partner Anti-Bribery, Corruption and Anti- Money Laundering | Contracts | Criminal… | View Profile |
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Ms Judy Hao | Senior Partner Banking and Finance | Construction | Investment, Mergers and Acquisitions… | View Profile |
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Mr Francisco Ed. Lim | Senior Partner Antitrust & Trade Regulation | Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Corporate Rehabilitation… | View Profile |
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Mr Andre B. Navato, Jr. | Partner Banking and Finance | Energy | Investment, Mergers and Acquisitions |… | View Profile |
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Mr Oliver L. Pantaleon | Senior Partner Contracts | Energy | Environment and Natural Resources | Litigation… | View Profile |
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Salvador L. Peña | Senior Partner Appellate Practice | Arbitration and Mediation | Construction | Litigation… | View Profile |
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Ms Patricia-Ann T. Prodigalidad | Senior Partner Antitrust & Trade Regulation | Arbitration and Mediation | Bankruptcy,… | View Profile |
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Mr Teodoro L. Regala, Jr. | Senior Partner Agricultural Law and Agrarian Reform | Arbitration and Mediation |… | View Profile |
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Ms Elaine Patricia S. Reyes-Rodolfo | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Eduardo V. Soleng, Jr. | Partner | View Profile |
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Ms Melissa Angela G. Velarde | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Leland R. Villadolid, Jr. | Senior Partner Arbitration and Mediation | Environment and Natural Resources | Internet,… | View Profile |
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Ms Ruby Rose J. Yusi | Senior Partner Investment, Mergers and Acquisitions | Public Bidding and Procurement |… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers at this office : 175Languages
English PilipinoMemberships
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