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
Corporate and M&A Tier 1
Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law)'s 'strong, efficient' and 'reliable' team provides a 'comprehensive' service to both established multinationals and innovative new start-up companies. Complex and large-scale acquisitions are a speciality, and the firm is especially active in the telecoms, infrastructure, construction, technology and e-commerce sectors. The group has forged strong relationships with some of the largest conglomerates in the country, including Ayala Land, Inc. and Aboitiz Land, Inc., for which it handles a full range of corporate work. Raoul Angangco advises on real estate and construction issues in addition to corporate matters, while Sylvette Tankiang specialises in M&A, tax and energy and Kristin Charisse Siao is also noted.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Capable partners are fully involved in matters.‘
‘Sylvette and Kristin. Vast experience in M&A and also flexible to client’s needs.‘
‘V&A has a very strong, efficient, reliable team. Highly recommend the service of Sylvette and Franchette on M&A – they can always provide clear and concrete advice to guide you in the right way to go when you’re in a dilemma or difficult position. Their legal analysis is comprehensive, they think ahead for clients such that the answer is already in your inbox even before you raise the question.‘
‘V&A team is also very attentive and always in a standby mode, the deal I worked with them was very intensive, complicated and challenging, the situation changes every second but V&A gave great and timely support throughout.‘
‘V&A Partner Maria Simundac is comprehensive, responsive, and a pleasure to deal with.‘
Key clients
China Telecommunications Corporation
Dito Telecommunity Corporation
Udenna Corporation No
Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.
ISOC Group.
Taihu Holdings Pte Ltd.
Ayala Group, Bank of the Philippine Islands
Aboitiz Land, Inc
Fountel (Medical City)
Dispute resolution Tier 1
One of the key firms in the Philippines for litigation work, Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) represents clients in complex disputes before courts, government agencies and arbitral tribunals, many of which have a multi-jurisdictional element. Joseph Anthony Lopez leads the team and draws on his previous experience working in-house at a major bank to handle financial disputes, securities fraud and insolvency. Co-managing partners Augusto San Pedro Jr and Alejandro Alfonso Navarro are key members of the team; the former specialises in commercial disputes, advising on matters related to joint ventures, banking and finance, product liability and competition law, while the latter is an arbitration specialist having previously represented clients before the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. Thea Daep specialises in fraud and anti-money laundering investigations,
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Consortium of Philippine Banks (Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, BDO Unibank, Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands)
Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation
Globe Telecommunications, Inc.
BDO Unibank, Inc.
Manila Water Company, Inc.
Makati Development Corporation
Bank of the Philippine Islands
Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc.
China Telecommunications Corporation (Chinatel)
The Directors of Professional Services, Inc.
Intellectual property Tier 1
Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law)'s 'very responsive and capable' group has expertise on the full range of intellectual property matters, advising on all aspects of trade marks and patents in addition to border control measures and regulatory advice. Disputes are an area of particular activity, and the firm acts on behalf of, as well as opposite, high-profile international companies; in 2019, the team represented ABS-CBN Corporation in a trade mark opposition case against Apple Inc relating to ABS-CBN’s “Three-Circle Device' mark. 'Extremely knowledgeable' Bienvenido Somera Jr leads the team and has vast expertise in trade marks and patents. Qualified patent agent Sophia Editha Cruz-Abrenica is able to draw on her background in biochemistry and molecular biology to advise on the patentability of innovate new products. Katrina Doble is noted for contentious issues.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is very responsive and capable. They are very knowledgeable in corporate matters as well as in healthcare and life sciences regulatory and transactional matters.‘
‘Senior lawyer Bienvenido Somera Jnr stands out as being experienced and extremely knowledgeable. The team is always reliable and dependable and will always deliver.‘
‘What makes the V&A IP practice unique is the personalized and high level of service that they provide. V&A has a vast knowledge base and connections when it comes to dealing with IP issues. Further, V&A’s dedicated IP team has always been able to provide practical resolutions to the various queries spanning inter-related items concerning IP rights and has always welcomed further dialogues and/or clarifications on contentious topics.‘
‘Atty. Bienvenido I. Somera, Jr. and Katrina V. Doble: vast experience in the field of IP practice. They have always provided practical and timely advice. Finally, their personal attention to detail sets them apart from other competitors as they not only provide legal solutions, but ensure that they take into consideration the business realities and implications of that advice.‘
Key clients
Petron Corporation
Innogen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Getz Pharma (Phils.), Inc.
AIMA Technology Group Co.
BDO Unibank, Inc.
F&CO Co., Ltd.
UCC Holdings Co., Ltd.
ABS-CBN Corporation
Penguin Books Limited
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
LKK Health Products Group Limited
Hugo Boss AG
Opus One Winery LLC
Wavee Group Inc.
BigHit Entertainment Co., Ltd.
Paris Croissant Co., Ltd.
Tencent Holdings Limited
HBO Asia
Franck Muller Group
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
Real estate and construction Tier 1
Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law)'s practice is supplemented by its strong projects and energy group, and therefore is heavily active in the construction sphere, advising on the acquisition of development land, financing and joint venture issues. The team is also instructed to advise on a range of real estate transactions and was involved in matters relating to residential property, office buildings and factories in 2019. Sylvette Tankiang advises on all aspects of construction projects in the energy sphere, including financial structuring, supply agreements and tax issues. Franchette Acosta is well versed in the bidding process for government infrastructure projects.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto for Hankyu Hanshin Express Philippines, Inc.
NAPPCO Land Development Corporation
Bricolage Holding Inc.
Ayala Land Inc. and its affiliates
Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.
ISOC Asia Telecom Towers, Inc.
Aboitiz Land, Inc.
Haskell Philippines
Tax Tier 1
Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) advises companies on the tax implications of restructurings, investments and joint ventures. Additionally, the team represents clients in challenging tax and custom assessments. The practice is led by Raoul Angangco, Sylvette Tankiang and Franchette Acosta, and frequently acts alongside partners from the firm's corporate department. Maria Concepcion Simundac and Kristin Charisse Siao are also key contacts in the team.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
China Telecommunications Corporation
Emperador Distillers, Inc.
Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
China Telecom Fufu Information Technology Co., Ltd.
EWP Philippines, Inc.
Abundance Providers and Entrepreneurs Corporation
InfinitusHealth Products (Philippines) Inc.
Blackpanda Philippines, Inc.
Banking and finance Tier 2
Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) is active in advising on the financing of projects in the energy and telecoms sectors, as well as providing regulatory advice to financial institutions. The practice also handles bank loan restructurings and insolvencies. Recently, the team has been involved in advising banks and non-bank financial institutions on the implications of the Philippines' Data Privacy Law. The practice is led by Raoul Angangco, Sylvette Tankiang and Franchette Acosta.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Alternergy Mini Hydro Holdings Corporation (“Alternergy”)
Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd., Swiss Re International S.E., Swiss Re. Corporate Solutions Ltd., and Swiss Re Asia Pte. Ltd.
Capital markets Tier 2
Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) is active in advising on listings and IPOs, including cross-border work. The team's client base is varied, including companies in sectors such as real estate, manufacturing, healthcare, and construction. Franchette Acosta leads on much of this work, alongside Kristin Charisse Siao and Paul Rodulfo Imperial.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd.
Swiss Re International S.E.
Swiss Re. Corporate Solutions Ltd.
Swiss Re Asia Pte. Ltd
Immigration Tier 2
Led by Raoul Angangco, Sylvette Tankiang, and Paul Rodulfo Imperial, Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) provides corporate immigration advice to major multinationals. In addition to assisting firms with securing work visas and permits, during the COVID-19 pandemic it has also advised clients on the rapidly changing immigration situation in the Philippines.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘A fantastic and well informed team. Very very professional in terms of interaction.’
‘I have worked with various legal firm on visa processing. This has been the best so far in my last 10 years in the Philippines.’
Key clients
Tata Consultancy Services (Philippines) Inc.
PayPal Philippines, Inc.
Remitly, Inc.
Twitter Philippines, Inc.
Spinalcare Chiropractic, Inc.
AirBnb Philippines, Inc.
Labour and employment Tier 2
Led by Alejandro Alfonso Navarro, Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law)'s labour practice represents multinationals and local companies in sectors including technology, law and logistics. The team acts as sole counsel to prominent international companies including Amazon, handling contentious and non-contentious work including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to Navarro, associate Rashel Ann Pomoy is also a key figure in the team.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Amazon Operation Services Philippines, Inc.
Autodesk Asia PTE. LTD. (Philippines Representative Office)
Twitter, Inc.
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
LF Philippines, Inc.
Tata Consultancy Services, (Philippines), Inc.
CommSec Inc.
Tropical Focus Philippines, Inc.
Projects and energy Tier 2
Led by Raoul Angangco, Sylvette Tankiang and Franchette Acosta, Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law)'s projects department focuses on energy matters, particularly those involving renewable energy. The firm advises on all aspects of project development and maintenance, including structuring investments, bidding processes and the negotiation of concession agreements. Telecoms is another area of activity; the firm was recently instructed by ISOC Asia Telecom Towers, Inc to assist with a joint venture to construct a telecoms tower, the first approved by the Philippine government in line with new regulations. Maria Concepcion Simundac is a key contact, and advises on the drafting of various contracts such as power supply agreements and service agreements.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
China Telecommunications Corporation Consortium
Panhua Group Ltd.
ISOC Asia Telecom Towers, Inc.
ISOC Holdings, Inc
Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.
Taihu Holding Pte Ltd.
BayWa R.E. Solar Pte Ltd.
TMT Tier 2
Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) acts as local counsel for large international telecoms companies and advises on the corporate, regulatory and financial elements of transactions involving entry into the Philippine market. The group also assists domestic clients with issues such as the creation of new companies, joint ventures and anti-money laundering legislation. Sylvette Tankiang operates a broad practice that includes advising technology companies on tax and corporate issues. Kristin Charisse Siao advises on M&A transactions in the telecom sector.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Stripe, Inc.
Lalamove Philippines, Inc.
Ninja Express Tech Philippines, Inc.
SEA Group
Tata Consultancy Services Philippines, Inc.
China Telecommunications Corporation
ISOC Infrastructure, Inc.
Innove Communications, Inc.
Antitrust and competition Tier 3
Working alongside the firm's main corporate practice, Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law)'s competition group advises national and international clients on the requirements of the PCC's merger notification regime. Sectors of particular activity include energy, shipping and manufacturing. Key practitioners Sylvette Tankiang and Franchette Acosta advise on competition as part of their broad commercial practices.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
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 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Ms Mandy Therese Anderson | Junior Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Mark Leo Bejemino | Junior Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Richard Henrick Beltran | Senior Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Leon Maria Angel Caguioa | Junior Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Ms Kimberly Castañeda | Junior Partner | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Paolo Miguel Consignado | Junior Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Ms Ma. Sophia Editha Cruz-Abrenica | Junior Partner | View Profile |
![]() |
Ms Katrina Doble | Junior Partner | View Profile |
![]() |
Ms Fritzzie Lyn Español | Junior Partner | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Jose Florinio Farcon | Junior Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Ms Pauline Marie Gairanod | Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Ernesto Herrera III | Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Noel Kris Illescas | Junior Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Paul Rodulfo Imperial | Senior Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Juan Paolo Miguel Leido | Junior Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Joseph Anthony Lopez | Junior Partner | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Antonio Miguel Lu | Mr. Lu is a Senior Associate of the Firm with over six… | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Ken Xavier Lucban | Junior Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Ms Ma. Carla Mapalo | Junior Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Ivan Viktor Mendez | Junior Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Alejandro Alfonso Navarro | Managing Partner | View Profile |
![]() |
Ms Rashel Ann Pomoy | Junior Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Ms Leah Glenda Quesada | As a Junior Partner, Ms. Quesada specializes primarily in family law and… | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Efren II Resurreccion | Associate. As a member of the Corporate & Commercial law department, Mr.… | View Profile |
![]() |
Ms Dianne Marie Roa-Oarde | Ms. Roa is a Senior Associate of the Firm, focusing in the… | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Leo Bernard Samaco | Senior Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Ms Danielle Francesca San Pedro | Junior Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Augusto San Pedro | Co-Managing Partner | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Ronald Sarcaoga | Junior Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Ms Kristin Charisse Siao | Partner | View Profile |
![]() |
Ms Maria Concepcion Simundac | Partner | View Profile |
![]() |
Leonardo Singson | Junior Partner | View Profile |
![]() |
Ms Monica Leonila Siron | Senior Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Bienvenido Somera | IP Department Head, Partner | View Profile |
![]() |
Ms Raquel Wealth Taguian | Ms. Taguian is a Partner of the Litigation Department of Villaraza &… | View Profile |
![]() |
Ms Via Monina Valdepeñas | Junior Associate | View Profile |
![]() |
Mr Mark Benjamin Yam | Junior Associate | View Profile |