COMMERCIAL & TAXATION

The firm provides competent industry-specific advice on broad commercial and tax issues involving mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, property development and condominium projects, loan and financing transactions, power and energy-related projects, establishment and registration of new business including foreign investments (whether as corporation, partnership, branch, representative office or regional headquarters), applications for investment incentives, capital/equity structuring and restructuring, quasi-reorganization, regulatory compliance and corporate dissolutions and liquidations. 

For transactional work, our lawyers go beyond the traditional legal role of document preparation and due diligence. Our lawyers are dealmakers with business acumen who listen to the clients. They are innovators and skilled negotiators whose goal is to partner with clients from the outset of each transaction to add value and obtain the best results.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Whether representing the buyer or the seller, our lawyers give candid legal advice supported by business savvy. This competency displays itself not only in the planning of these transactions, but also in the Firm's ability to work closely with other professionals enthusiastically and regardless of the size of business involved.

Our lawyers provide strategic advice to directors in the negotiation, perform due diligence, prepare documentation, and advise on all legal issues associated with the transaction which result in the prompt and effective execution of the merger or acquisition.

Taxation

Our tax services are both preventive and remedial. Our lawyers help clients avoid tax pitfalls, as well as assist in the efficient structuring of transactions to avoid overpayment of tax obligations. Our lawyers also provide advice on tax benefits of different business vehicles in the country, the various tax incentives offered by different government offices such as the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the Board of Investments (BOI), the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and other similar entities. 

Our lawyers assist clients in evaluating corporate tax positions for their viability to avail of government tax amnesty programs, compromise of internal revenue taxes, and abatement of penalties and surcharges.

Our lawyers also advance clients’ interests in contested tax proceedings. Our team is well experienced in defending clients against tax assessments both at the local and national level. Our lawyers have a comprehensive understanding of complex local and national taxes. Our lawyers handle contentious tax proceedings at all levels from the filing of a formal protest to representation in appealed cases at the regular courts, the Court of Tax Appeals and in the Supreme Court.

Energy

The firm has a growing energy practice representing key industry players. Our lawyers deal with energy regulatory issues combining legal and regulatory expertise with a thorough understanding of the technical, strategic and financial issues affecting the industry. Our lawyers have represented clients in proceedings before the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in applications for fixing rates, direct grid connection and other regulatory issues.

Our lawyers also closely monitor developments within the industry making them intimately familiar with the competitive issues relating to the electricity market, power supply and transmission.

Real Estate Transactions

The real estate law capabilities of the Firm span a range of commercial real estate transactions including acquisition and disposition, registration and titling, leasing, development, financing, construction, land use regulation and management of various types of properties.

Our lawyers have significant involvement in the planning, acquisition, financing, construction, leasing, and management of properties.  Our lawyers are capable of acting for either the lender or borrower side of the transaction in relation to mortgage and financing, joint ventures, and similar arrangements.