Firm Profile > Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) > Manila , Philippines
Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) Offices
V&A LAW CENTRE, 11TH AVENUE CORNER 39TH STREET
BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY 1634
METRO MANILA, MANILA
Philippines
Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) > The Legal 500 Rankings
Dispute resolution Tier 1
The dispute resolution team at Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) is often instructed in complex and high-profile cases. Recently, this included acting as counsel to Globe Telecommunications (Globe) in a petition filed before the Supreme Court against Globe, PLDT, Liberty Broadcasting Network (Liberty), Bell Telecommunications (Bell), the Philippine Competition Commission and the National Telecommunications Commission, seeking to invalidate the 3G and 4G frequencies assigned to Globe and PLDT pursuant to their acquisition of Vega Telecommunications, the parent company of Liberty and Bell. Aside from its renown in the telecoms sector, the team is also well versed in disputes in the financial services, agriculture, logistics and construction sectors, among others. In 2019, the team made a number of promotions at the associate levels; new senior associates include Via Monina Valdepeñas, Juan Paolo Miguel Leido and Ivan Victor Mendez. Joseph Anthony Lopez, Thea Daep, Augusto San Pedro Jr and Alejandro Alfonso Navarro are leading partners in the department.
Intellectual property Tier 1
Bienvenido Somera Jr heads the department at Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law), which has the size and experience to handle all aspects of IP, from trade mark and patent prosecution to border control measures to copyright registration. Recent areas of growth include IP commercialisation and over-the-top (OTT) regulatory advice, among others, and the team also expanded its already sizeable client base with new client wins in the healthcare and media sectors. The department has specialised IP litigation lawyers, and a number of members of the team have technical backgrounds. Junior partner Katrina Doble draws on over 14 years' experience in IP, with a special focus on trade mark law and IP litigation.
Real estate and construction Tier 1
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.
Tax Tier 1
Noted for its 'high level of professionalism', Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) provides contentious and non-contentious tax services to its clients, which range from multinational and domestic companies to high-net-worth individuals. This includes advising on the tax elements of corporate transactions. In recent work, Franchette Acosta and a team have been advising China Telecommunications Corporation with the tax consequences of various transactions and structures, including on the tax treatment of entities operating within Freeport Zones, the determination of customs duties and taxes on imported goods. Sylvette Tankiang has experience representing clients in tax litigation before the Court of Tax Appeals and the Supreme Court.
Banking and finance Tier 2
Under the leadership of Sylvette Tankiang and Franchette Acosta, Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law)'s banking and finance team assists clients in all stages of a financing transaction, from initial negotiations to closing to compliance with regulatory requirements. In recent team changes, capital markets, banking and securities law expert Paul Rodulfo Imperial was promoted to junior partner in 2019. Among the firm's varied workload was its advice to Snapcash Lending on its entrance to the financing and lending market of the Philippines by the incorporation of a Philippine lending company; the team also provided guidance on the minimum capitalisation requirements and applicable regulatory matters.
Capital markets Tier 2
The capital markets team at Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) has recently been instructed by several international companies to advise on IPOs in foreign jurisdictions. It often advises financial institutions and listed companies on transactions and regulatory compliance. In team news, Paul Rodulfo Imperial made partner in 2019; his practice spans capital markets, M&A, banking and securities law, and he has recently taken a role on several of the team's key transactions. Co-heads Sylvette Tankiang and Franchette Acosta complement their capital markets expertise with knowledge of corporate and M&A, commercial law and banking.
Corporate and M&A Tier 2
The corporate team at Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) is noted for its 'good teamwork'; it is 'easy to deal with and can explain complicated matters surrounding any legal concerns'. Sector strengths include TMT, infrastructure, construction, renewable energy, healthcare and insurance. The firm maintains a busy corporate and M&A practice, which is also well versed in real estate projects and competition law. Recent work includes advising manufacturing company Fortune Packaging Corporation on a tri-party joint venture agreement between NP International (S) Pte., Fortune Packaging Corporation and GD International Co, which involves the incorporation, investment in and operation of an extrusion lamination and cup formation manufacturing plant. Raoul Angangco is well versed in corporate law and real estate; Sylvette Tankiang specialises in corporate, tax and banking; and Franchette Acosta advises public and private companies in various industries on M&A.
Immigration Tier 2
Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law)'s immigration department has the size and resources to handle a high volume of immigration applications, where it advises on all stages, from extensions of tourist visas to issuances of visas in favour of dependents. It acts as counsel to a number of household name companies. Examples include PayPal, which the team assists with a range of labour and immigration issues, including work permits, visas and coordination between the local subsidiary, the foreign company and the individual employees. Other significant clients include Tata Consultancy Services, Twitter and Netflix. Mark Benjamin Yam is a key contact at the associate level.
Labour and employment Tier 2
The 'approachable' team at Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) stands out in labour litigation, where it boasts a notable track record. Recent work includes assisting e-sports company Garena in complaints filed before the National Labor Relations Commission by two former employees for illegal dismissal, the payment of back wages, monetary benefits and damages. The firm also maintains a busy immigration practice. Senior associate Ma. Carla Mapalo and junior associates Ernesto Herrera and Efren Resurreccion often take key roles on the firm's employment engagements and are recommended.
Projects and energy Tier 2
Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) advises on energy, infrastructure, telecoms and real estate projects, with a particular specialism in renewable energy. In cross-border projects, the firm benefits from its membership of the Asean Plus Group, which comprises firms in nine jurisdictions. Raoul Angangco and Paul Rodulfo Imperial - who was recently promoted to partner - advised Alpha Southstar General Construction Corporation on an unsolicited proposal to be submitted to the National Housing Authority for the development of a new township to be located in an eleven-hectare lot in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. Maria Concepcion Simundac devotes a significant portion of her practice to renewable energy projects, where she advises clients on regulatory matters, risk assessment, project development and project financing.
TMT Tier 2
Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) advises tech, financial services, logistics and telecoms companies on a range of corporate, commercial and regulatory matters, and the firm is particularly active in the start-ups segment. It often assists clients looking to enter the Philippine market; recently, Sylvette Tankiang and Kristin Charisse Siao advised Lalamove on its move into the Philippines and provided regulatory advice on compliance with government regulations on application-based mobile delivery services. Franchette Acosta is a key contact.
Antitrust and competition Tier 3
Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) is able to advise clients on corporate, commercial, regulatory and competition law and processes. It represents companies from various sectors - including but not limited to real estate, financial services and telecoms - in their interactions with the PCC in the context of corporate transactions. Sylvette Tankiang and Maria Concepcion Simundac are key contacts.
Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) > Firm Profile
The firm: Villaraza & Angangco Law (V&A Law) was founded in 1980. With approximately 60 lawyers recognised by their peers to be at the top of the legal profession, and 100 highly trained non-legal staff, the firm offers professional services of the highest calibre. With decades of experience in serving a full spectrum of clients’ interests, its lawyers are equipped to skilfully handle the most intricate problems and provide comprehensive solutions that deliver results. The firm has been at the forefront of the Philippine legal landscape and has gained the trust and confidence of leading multinational corporations, financial institutions and conglomerates. V&A Law is a full-service law firm with specialisation in the areas of litigation, corporate and intellectual property law.
Areas of practice: Litigation: the firm is involved in commercial, civil, tax and criminal representation and trial advocacy in every forum. V&A Law provides efficient and effective strategies capitalising on alternative methods of dispute resolution. Its litigators have successfully handled cases in all appellate levels of the judicial system and routinely handle appeals from quasi-judicial agencies. The firm represents a wide array of banks and financial institutions, both local and foreign. V&A Law has been involved in almost all major corporate recovery projects in the country, both litigated and non-litigated. The lawyers of V&A Law have extensive exposure and a high level of competence in handling matters involving labour standards and labour relations law. Moreover, the firm also handles labour litigation before the regular courts and quasi-judicial bodies, such as the National Labour Relations Commission (NLRC).
Corporate: the firm is involved in major mergers and acquisitions in strategic industries, including banking and finance, telecommunications, transportation, manufacturing, food retail, business process outsourcing, insurance, entertainment, and pharmaceuticals. V&A lawyers are experts in the field of power and energy. The firm provides transactional advice on capital markets, securities regulations and finance and serves as counsel on major foreign investments in the country. The corporate lawyers in the firm are equipped with experience in giving comprehensive legal assistance in various property development and real estate transaction projects at all stages. The firm is counsel to leading mining and exploration companies on a broad range of matters, including compliance with nationality and capitalisation requirements and obtaining government licences. V&A lawyers are known for providing innovative solutions to efficiently manage the taxation burden of individuals and entities doing business in the Philippines. The firm plays an active role in the country’s leading public utilities and infrastructure projects under public-private partnership projects, build-operate-transfer, joint venture, and procurement projects.
Intellectual property: the intellectual property lawyers of V&A assist in trade mark and patent prosecution, particularly the filing and maintenance of both Philippine and foreign trade mark, patent, utility model and industrial design registrations. The firm also represents clients in the registration and deposit of copyrights and other related rights. It assists clients to ensure that full commercial value is realised through intellectual property commercialisation, licensing and franchising. V&A lawyers are experienced litigators who have extensive practice in intellectual property litigation. The firm provides efficient and responsive programmes for the enforcement of intellectual property rights in the Philippines. The lawyers are equipped with competence in advising media, entertainment and broadcasting entities in the promotion and protection of their intellectual property rights consistent with their strategic business objectives. The firm also gives advice in border control measures and in the product registration of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. The clientele of V&A includes domestic generic drug corporations, which the lawyers assist in freedom to operate searches and patent cancellation.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banking and finance | F Arthur L Villaraza | ||
| Banking and finance | Franchette M Acosta | ||
| Capital markets | Sylvette Y Tankiang | ||
| Capital markets | Franchette M Acosta | ||
| Corporate and M&A | Raoul R Angangco | ||
| Corporate and M&A | Sylvette Y Tankiang | ||
| Employment | Alejandro Alfonso E Navarro | ||
| Employment | Raquel Wealth A Taguian | ||
| Estate planning | F Arthur L Villaraza | ||
| Estate planning | Sylvette Y Tankiang | ||
| Immigration | Raoul R Angangco | ||
| Immigration | Leonardo A Singson | ||
| Infrastructure and energy | Raoul R Angangco | ||
| Infrastructure and energy | Sylvette Y Tankiang | ||
| Intellectual property | Bienvenido I Somera Jr | ||
| Mining and natural resources | F Arthur L Villaraza | ||
| Mining and natural resources | Raoul R Angangco | ||
| Real estate and construction | Sylvette Y Tankiang | ||
| Restructuring and insolvency | Augusto A San Pedro Jr | ||
| Restructuring and insolvency | Thea T Daep | ||
| Litigation and ADR | Alejandro Alfonso E Navarro | ||
| Litigation and ADR | Augusto A San Pedro Jr | ||
| Taxation | Sylvette Y Tankiang | ||
| Telecommunications/media/technology | F Arthur L Villaraza | ||
| Telecommunications/media/technology | Augusto A San Pedro |