Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) > Manila, Philippines > Firm Profile

Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) > The Legal 500 Rankings

Philippines > Antitrust and competition Tier 1

Led by Norma Margarita Patacsil, the practice at Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) acts for major clients on the Philippine Competition Act and a myriad of regulatory matters. It is adept at advising on investigations that are conducted by the Philippine Competition Commission into issues concerning anti-competitive behaviour and compliance matters. The group is particularly skilled at handling major M&As and obtaining merger clearances for these transactions. Andrea Katipunan is another known name for her work on corporate deals for local and international clients, as well as PPPs and government procurement mandates.

Philippines > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law)’s strong team handles a broad range of high-value disputes, in addition to domestic and international arbitrations. The practice, which is spearheaded by ‘seasoned leaders’ Ben Yap and Jesus Paolo Protacio, advises on the full spectrum of contentious matters, from contractual disputes and product liability claims to intra-corporate issues, tax litigation, banking cases and securities issues. Praised as a ‘talented strategist and tenacious advocate’, Yap acts for leading domestic energy companies, while Protacio specialises in civil and commercial litigation, with experience in arbitrations, employment and criminal law disputes. Head of the firm’s tax group, Anthony Gutierrez focuses on tax and commercial litigation.

Philippines > Labour and employment Tier 1

The first-rate team at Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) covers the full spectrum of labour law and employee benefits compliance issues. It regularly advises on matters concerning employment terminations through to internal investigations involving employee fraud or negligence. The team also has an strong track record in labour disputes and related proceedings, successfully representing clients across various industry sectors before the National Labor Relations Commission, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other tribunals, all the way to the Supreme Court. Practice leader Cesar Santamaria specialises in employment litigation, while Vladi Miguel S. Lazaro handles labour disputes. Katrine Paula Suyat acts for clients on a broad range of matters, from employment termination and the local employment of foreigners to employment contracts and employment policy handbooks.

Philippines > Projects and energy Tier 1

The highly regarded team at Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) has a wealth of experience in a range of projects and has particular strength in the energy and infrastructure sectors, regularly acting for project sponsors, commercial lenders and international financial institutions on power supply agreements. Under the direction of Ben Dominic Yap and Jaime Renato Gatmaytan, the team is well-equipped to handle all aspects of major deals from advising on the financing aspects of projects to various regulatory and contractual matters. Yap works with many local energy companies on a wide array of contentious and non-contentious matters, while Gatmaytan advises developers and sponsors on tenders for generation projects overseas. Annalisa Carlota is another notable member of the group who frequently advises on private and public sector infrastructure projects, and assists foreign and local companies with the implementation of independent power projects in the Philippines.

Philippines > Real estate and construction Tier 1

Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) covers the full spectrum of real estate and construction matters. The team advises on land and real estate developments, in addition to large-scale construction and infrastructure projects, including power plants, airports, rail systems and telecoms towers. The group also has demonstrable experience advising on real estate and construction-related disputes at all levels of the local courts and administrative tribunals, as well as domestic and international arbitrations. Jaime Gatmaytan has a vast array of expertise in energy, construction and infrastructure, while Ben Yap focuses on corporate and commercial transactions in the construction, energy and infrastructure sectors. Norma Margarita Patacsil is another key contact in the team.

Philippines > Tax Tier 1

The excellent team at Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) regularly advises several leading local conglomerates and international corporations on a diverse range of tax matters. Key areas of focus include helping clients challenge assessments for various internal revenue taxes as well as claiming tax refunds before the various authorities all the way to the Supreme Court. The group also excels at advising on how to implement tax structures in high-value mergers and acquisitions as well as on large-scale projects. Department head Anthony Gutierrez leads on various tax and customs matters with considerable strength on a broad array of contentious issues. Roxanne Tadique is another notable member of the department who has extensive experience in tax litigation and advising on transactional tax mandates.

Philippines > Banking and finance Tier 2

With Jaime Renato B. Gatmaytan at the helm, Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law)'s banking and finance practice focuses on transactional work. The skilled team regularly acts for local and international borrowers and lenders on major financing transactions and regulatory issues, and is recommended for its work on the financing aspects of energy and infrastructure projects as well for its work on green financing mandates. The group also has considerable experience in assisting technology companies. Annalisa J. Carlota is a project and finance lawyer who is experienced in energy and infrastructure developments in the Philippines and Asia.

Philippines > TMT Tier 2

Mary Thel Mundin heads up the department at Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law), which has particular strength in advising on all aspects of compliance with data privacy laws. It is also well-placed to advise on many other issues relating to the provision of telecoms services and network infrastructure. Deborah Sobrepena-Lacson is another key member of the firm’s TMT and fintech sector group, while Vladi Miguel S. Lazaro  is adept at advising on data protection matters. Associate Dwight Tan has sector expertise in the technology, media and telecoms industries as well as experience in financial technology and data privacy matters.

Philippines > Capital markets Tier 3

Under the leadership of Norma Margarita B. Patacsil, the corporate team at Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) frequently assists with IPOs, private placements and other capital building exercises. It also regularly advises on market entry and regulatory compliance issues spanning various industries.

Philippines > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

The corporate and M&A practice at Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) is led by Norma Margarita Patacsil. It is regularly instructed on corporate and commercial transactions across the real estate, energy, manufacturing and logistics sectors. The team has also assisted clients in obtaining Philippine Competition Commission approvals for numerous M&As. Other names to note include Andrea Katipunan, who specialises in corporate and commercial transactions, as well as PPPs and government procurements, and Katrine Paula Suyat-Antonio.

Philippines > Immigration Tier 3

Cesar Santamaria is a key contact at Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) and advises on a variety of issues, involving work permits and visas, as well as other special permits required by regulatory agencies for a foreign national to validly work in the Philippines. Other key areas of focus include advising on special non-immigrant visas for foreign investors and the review of employment contracts for expatriates to ensure compliance with local laws.