Legal Updates

The Society of Construction Law Philippines (SCLP) held its National Conference at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on October 17, 2024 with the theme: “Global Trends in Construction Law and Contracts.

SRMO was represented in the National Conference by partners actively engaged in construction arbitration, namely: Attys. Michael Felipe A. Mercado, Broderick C. Arcilla, Eileen E. Medina-Garcia and Mariana R. Lopa.

The National Conference covered the following topics: Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Building Codes; Collaborative Contracting versus Typical EPC; Dispute Avoidance and Adjudication; and Foreign Contractors in Philippines Government Projects and Fair and Equitable Treatment in Philippine Bilateral Investment Treaties.

SCLP is an organization composed of construction law practitioners, lawyers, engineers, academics and industry professionals. Its aim is to promote for the public benefit, education, study and research in the field of construction law.

Atty. Michael Felipe A. Mercado, Deputy Head of Litigation and Deputy Managing Partner of Siguion Reyna Montecillo Ongsiako Law Offices, is an active member of the PDRC since 2015. He completed the commercial arbitration training seminar conducted by PDRC in the same year. PDRC is a non-stock, non-profit organization incorporated in 1996 out of the Arbitration Committee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).  Atty. Mercado was recently accepted as a regular member of the Philippines Institute of Arbitrators (PIArb).

Atty. Broderick C. Arcilla has actively participated in construction arbitration cases administered by the Construction Industry Arbitration Commission (CIAC). He has extensive experience in civil and criminal litigation and intra-corporate disputes, appearing before the Sandiganbayan, various First Level Courts, Offices of City Prosecutors, and other quasi-judicial bodies. He also specializes in medical malpractice cases.

Atty. Eileen E. Medina-Garcia also has participated in construction arbitration cases. Her major practice areas are Labor, Intellectual Property, Immigration, Arbitration, Civil and Criminal Law. She specializes in trademark and labor litigation, and practices Philippine Immigration Law as well.

Atty. Mariana R. Lopa has been involved in construction arbitrations. Her practice also involves Labor and Employment Law where she assists clients in collective bargaining negotiations, administrative investigations and hearings, labor inspections, certification elections, and optimizing labor forces. She also handles labor litigation cases involving claims for illegal dismissal, unfair labor practices, and labor-only contracting, among others. Likewise, she revises and drafts company policies and employment contracts to ensure effective implementation and compliance with Philippine labor laws. 

SRMO is committed to being at the forefront of providing excellent legal services in alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration. SRMO actively encourages its lawyers to participate in training activities and join alternative dispute resolution organizations.  SRMO and its lawyers participate in various conferences to ensure that the firm is well-informed and well-versed in the recent developments in alternative dispute resolution, both in the Philippines and at the international level.