PRACTICE AREAS

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The Firm has successfully obtained a permanent License to Sell for a luxury, low-density condominium project situated in one of the Philippines' premier tourism destinations. This License, issued in early 2024, follows the Firm’s facilitation of prerequisite licenses, including the Development Permit and Temporary License to Sell. 

Typically, securing a condominium project requires various certificates and clearances from the LGU, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Agrarian Reform, PHIVOLCS, and CAAP, among others. 

Currently, we are providing legal services to the condominium corporation, managing the legal aspects of selling the condominium units and transferring titles to buyers.

In 2023, the Firm was engaged by a Premium Plant-Based Restaurant to draft a Franchise Agreement for a group of investors planning to open a branch in Siargao. The franchisee commenced operations in July 2024, marking the Restaurant’s third branch. Given the Restaurant’s premium offerings, the Firm anticipates the opening of several additional branches in the coming years. 

Currently, the Firm provides ongoing retainer services to the Premium Plant-Based Restaurant.

The Firm served as contract counsel for a Distribution Utility (DU) Entity concerning multiple Power Supply Agreements (PSAs) and Emergency Power Supply Agreements (EPSAs) which the DU entered into in 2023 and 2024. The PSAs and EPSAs are directed at addressing the looming power concerns in the applicable territory/ies, and as a result of the 2019 Alyansa Decision by the Supreme Court of the Philippines. 

The Firm has likewise represented the DU before the Energy Regulatory Commission for the approval of certain PSAs and EPSAs.

In early 2023, the Firm represented a client who was accused of committing a non-bailable crime. Naturally, there is substantial pressure on both the prosecution and defense in non-bailable cases, owing to the significant limitations on life and liberty involved. The Firm believed that the evidence did not meet the quantum required of the law to convict. After months of proceedings, the case was resolved in favor of the accused. 

In mid-2024, the Firm represented a major local contractor who was sued by a supplier with Estafa for alleged non-payment of construction supplies. The contractor is involved in multiple DPWH projects and is keen on protecting his public image. Moreover, DPWH requires contractors to guarantee that all suppliers had been paid in relation to any government projects. Ultimately, the criminal case against the contractor was dismissed. 

In 2023, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) resolved in favor of the Firm’s client a case for trademark infringement. A domestic hotel was sued for trademark infringement by a multi-national hotel conglomerate arguing that their marks are confusingly similar. The IPO case placed significant strain on the future of the domestic hotel which already has government licenses and even OTA postings using the said mark. The Firm represented the domestic hotel and the case was dismissed. 

In early 2023, the Firm was successful in facilitating a multi-decade lease of a prime beachfront resort in one of the top tourist destinations in the country. The beachfront resort is fully operational. Prior to the Firm’s involvement, the investor/lessee had multiple attempts at reaching out to the property’s owners but all talks have fallen through. 

The Firm has negotiated on behalf of the investor/lessee and offered reasonable terms to the property’s owners. Meetings were conducted in multiple cities. After months of negotiations, the resort was turned over early in 2023. 

In mid-2023, the Firm facilitated the sale of a prime beachfront property in one of the top tourist destinations in the country. The Firm counseled the group of investors / buyers. Considering there are foreign elements in the transaction, the Firm had to ensure that no property laws are violated and proper SPVs are put in place. The sale was concluded in Q1 of 2024. 

The Firm believes that this transaction turned out well for both parties. The seller was able to safely and efficiently liquidate a major asset and the buyer significantly increased its business potential. 

In mid-2024, the Firm facilitated and drafted all the documents pertaining to the settlement of the estate of a high-net worth individual who passed away some years ago. For personal reasons, the estate was never settled. The Firm was engaged by an investor who had interest in acquiring one of the properties left by the decedent. The property in question is a prime commercial lot with structures located in a chartered HUC. 

After several discussions pertaining to the commercial terms, the Firm was able to complete the transaction. The transaction was not straightforward as the decedent has a surviving spouse in a second marriage and one of the legitimate heirs had passed after the decedent. The transaction required a “double settlement” of estate, sale, and donation (to one of the surviving heirs). 

In early 2024, the Firm was engaged by multiple property investors who intended to initiate disputes against a particular developer. This triggered the Firm to file certain complaints before different fora in and out of Metro Manila. Upon initiation of the multiple initiatory complaints, a potential for settlement opened and the Firm considered reasonable terms. After several meetings in and out of Metro Manila, the cases were ultimately settled. 

The Firm considers this settlement as a major win for both parties. The parties were able to avoid further costs of litigation and significant stress. 

The Firm successfully defended a foreign individual accused of fraudulently acquiring an Alien Employment Permit (AEP). The foreign individual was not only facing potential blacklist / ban but likewise significant monetary penalty.