VICTORIO H. MACASAET, JR.
Practice Areas General Corporate Work Foreign Investments Litigation Estate Settlement Admission to the Bar Admitted, 2000 Education Ateneo de Manila University School of Law (Juris Doctor, Second Honors) De La Salle University (BS Legal Management) La Salle Green Hills Professional Activities and Memberships Member, Integrated Bar of the Philippines Currently a member of the board or corporate secretary in various corporations, such as Acom Consumer Finance Corp., Enomoto Philippine Manufacturing, Inc., Kerry Manufacturing (Philippines), Inc., Kowa-Emori Philippines, Inc., Kapco Manufacturing, Inc., Philippine Women’s University, Sharp (Phils.) Corporation, TACT Home Global Design Corp., and Whitespace, Inc. Member, Philippine Taekwondo Association Mr. Victorio H. Macasaet is a partner in Siguion Reyna, Montecillo & Ongsiako. He joined the firm in 2003. Prior to joining the firm, he worked at Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan from 2000 until 2003. He took the Bar examinations in 1999, and was admitted to the Bar in 2000 after the results of the 1999 Bar Examinations were released. Currently, Mr. Macasaet mainly handles foreign investments. In the process, registration of corporations and inward remittances, advising on compliance with nationality restrictions, laws (including criminal laws), organizational and corporate structures, investment incentives, joint-venture agreements, and other related matters, involving a myriad of industries (such as food processing, computer-related, automotive parts and chemical manufacturing, telecommunications, energy, land development, financing, consulting, security, non-profit organization, overseas recruitment agency, language school, animation etc.). Mr. Macasaet also handles litigation and estate settlement, on a limited basis. Previously, he has also handled intra-corporate controversies, rehabilitation cases, civil and criminal litigation, and build-operate-transfer law-related matters. He took part in a major international arbitration case regarding an infrastructure project in the Philippines. Within this, he worked closely with European and American law firms, reviewed and analyzed thousands of pages of documents and contracts, drafted opinions and pleadings, and attended meetings and hearings in Washington, D.C. He also participated in criminal and civil proceedings, including expropriation and collection suits. Mr. Macasaet has also represented clients in criminal litigation and labor law matters. He was the National President (1991–1992) and Vice President for Exchange (1990–1991) of AIESEC Philippines Foundation, Inc. He was with the DLSU Tae Kwon Do Varsity Team and is a member of the Philippine Taekwondo Association and the Tae Kwon Do Blackbelt Brotherhood (TBB-10).
AUGUSTO LEON A. MACATANGAY
Practice Areas Civil litigation Commercial litigation Education Ateneo de Davao University Ateneo de Manila Law School Mr. Augusto Leon Araneta Macatangay is a Partner in Siguion Reyna, Montecillo & Ongsiako. He joined the firm in October 2009. Leo specializes in civil litigation and commercial litigation. He has tried a broad range of cases involving contract disputes, corporate rehabilitation, government bidding disputes, intra-corporate controversies, local government tax refund, medical malpractice, family law and settlement of estates, energy regulation, securities transactions, information technology, debt recovery, enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards, insurance claims, labor disputes, and disputes involving land, mining and natural resources. Leo has handled a variety of notable matters. He represented Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Co. of Manila to close a multi-jurisdictional Syndicated Loan in London, Central Azucarera de San Antonio and Central Azucarera de Bais to secure energy regulatory approvals, Stradcom Corporation in a complex multi-billion intra-corporate controversy involving several cascading companies where shareholdings are disputed on every level; Realtime Data Management Services, Inc. in a government bidding dispute involving the production of Driver’s Licenses for the Land Transportation Office; Philippine Investment Two (SPV-AMC), Inc. a multi-billion Special Purpose Vehicle Corporation for its successful rehabilitation; General Milling Corporation by successfully reducing the judgment award from hundreds of millions to less than a tenth of the award; Unilever Philippines, Inc. in a successful claim for refund of more than two hundred million local government taxes wrongfully imposed; Greenfield Development Corporation in opposing the application of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program; Dole Philippines, Inc. in opposing a multi-million labor claim; Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas in defending its actions against Banco Filipino; Republic Real Estate Corporation in its bid to recover payment from the Republic of the Philippines for the reclamation of a better part of Manila; and Holcim Philippines, Inc. in a multi-million intra-corporate controversy. Leo is a Member of the Board, Corporate Secretary and consultant to various companies engaged in land transactions, sugar production, logistics, information technology, retail distribution, and media. Before joining Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako and after passing the Bar, Leo joined The Bengzon Law Firm. While in Law School, Leo was connected with the Senate of the Philippines under the Office of Senator John H. Osmeña. Also during Law School, Leo was hired by the Office of then Supreme Court Justice Reynato Puno to draft a Treatise on Constitutional Law. Leo graduated from Ateneo de Davao University with a degree in Economics, cum laude, and with a law degree from Ateneo de Manila Law School, where he was, Juris Doctor, Silver Medalist, Second Honors. Hailing from Davao City, Leo is the first lawyer in his family. He loves to travel and to spend time with family and friends. While he is not traveling and catching up, Leo enjoys going to the beach, cooking, listening to the Beatles, watching episodes of The Walking Dead, Black Mirror, and reruns of Friends.
ARISS N. SANTOS
Practice Areas Labor and Litigation Trademark Litigation Appellate Practice Admission to the Bar Admitted, 2003 Education University of Perpetual Help of Rizal (Bachelor of Laws) University of Santo Tomas (Bachelor of Arts, Major in Political Science) Notable Clients Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. PLDT, Inc. Optodev, Inc. Professional Activities and Memberships Member, IBP PPLM Chapter Mr. Ariss N. Santos is a partner in Siguion Reyna, Montecillo & Ongsiako. He joined the firm in June 2010. Mr. Santos’ practice includes labor and litigation, trademark litigation and appellate practice In the labor practice group, Mr. Santos handled labor disputes, both collective and individual; represented Management in certification elections, collective negotiations and deadlocks, voluntary labor arbitration and illegal dismissal cases; drafted pleadings and appeared before the Labor Arbiters, the National Labor Relations Commission, voluntary arbitrators and the National Conciliation and Mediation Board. He has extensively advised various companies in industrial relations and personnel matters, formulation of Company policies and guidelines, personnel movement, administrative disciplinary cases, redundancy, retrenchment and closure programs, including various diverse issues as outsourcing and job contracting. He also handled corporate due diligence insofar as labor and litigation matters in various projects handled by the law firm. His litigation practice and experience includes handling of cases filed in courts involving land cases, criminal cases, tax refund cases, ordinary civil claims for collection and damages, preparing and drafting pleadings, appearing before the Office of the Prosecutors, the first level courts and the Regional Trial Courts. As trademark litigation attorney, he has handled contentious cases on trademark applications, i.e., Opposition Proceedings and Cancellation of Registration Proceedings, drafted and prepared pleadings and appeared before the Mediators, Hearing Officers and the Bureau of Legal Affairs of the Intellectual Property Office. As appellate law practice specialist, he drafted pleadings before the higher Courts, the Regional Trial Courts, the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. Other Relevant Work Experience / Training He also has considerable government experience and training. He was law clerk at the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. As Law Clerk, he did extensive research on law and jurisprudence on various fields of law; specifically, political and constitutional law, labor law, civil law, mercantile or commercial law, criminal law, remedial law and legal ethics. He drafted and prepared ponencias (decision in cases filed before the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals) and drafted Opinions (separate, concurring and dissenting opinions) assigned by the Associate Justice. As senior lawyer, he reviewed, edited and revised the work of junior court attorneys or law clerks. He also advised the Associate Justice on questions of policies and assisted him in the review of decisions of other Justices. He also had the opportunity to work with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and gained both policy and operational knowledge and perspective of the DOLE’s workings as a government regulatory agency. He once was Legal Adviser to the Secretary of Labor and Employment and in this capacity, he advised the Secretary on various employment law and recruitment matters, policies on employment and labor litigation, various contracts involving the DOLE. As technical and legal assistant to the Secretary, he drafted decisions on bargaining deadlocks, labor disputes over which the Secretary assumed jurisdiction on account of strike, and other voluntary arbitration cases handled by the Office of the Secretary of Labor. He was part of the Editorial and Revision Team that revised the Handbook on Workers’ Statutory Monetary Benefits, was a member of the Panel of Experts that reviewed the draft of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9841 or the Rights to Self Organization Law. He was also the DOLE’s focal Person on cases filed against the Philippine Government before the Committee on Freedom of Association and the Committee on Application of Standards and Recommendations of the International Labor Organization (ILO).
RANIEL L. DIMAYUGA
Practice Areas Tax Litigation Admission to the Bar Admitted, 1998 Education San Sebastian College-Recoletos Institute of Law Lyceum of the Philippines Professional Activities and Memberships Junior Chamber of the Philippines Juris Organization of San Sebastian College-Recoletos Alfonso ‘Siklab’ Jaycees People’s Law Enforcement Board Mr. Raniel L. Dimayuga is one of the tax lawyers in the firm. He has extensive experience in handling tax litigation cases both in the administrative level at the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the judicial level before the Court of Tax Appeals. He deals with queries of clients regarding Philippine taxation in relation to their trade and business, and also conducts researches and due diligence studies for multinational clients with regard to the tax and legal consequences of their business dealings in the Philippines. In 2002, Mr. Dimayuga was an Assistant Manager with the Tax and Corporate Services of C.L. Manabat and Company, an affiliate of Deloitte Touche Tomatsu. He served as Court Attorney with the Court of Tax Appeals from 1998 to 2002, and assisted Justices Vitug and Acosta in the revision of their book titled, “Tax Law and Jurisprudence.” He was a faculty member of the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Institute of Law from 1998 to 2005, where he taught Taxation, Introduction to Law, Legal Research, and Election Law. In 1998, he worked as an information aide, drafting resolutions and orders for the Regional Director of the Department of Labor and Employment – Region IV. He earned his Bachelor Laws from San Sebastian College-Recoletos Institute of Law in 1997, where he landed in the top ten of his class. He was subsequently admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1998. He took up Political Science at the Lyceum of the Philippines and graduated in 1989. He is a member of the Junior Chamber of the Philippines and the Juris Organization of San Sebastian College-Recoletos, and the legal counsel of Alfonso ‘Siklab’ Jaycees and People’s Law Enforcement Board. Mr. Dimayuga is also a professional photographer. He likes to travel with his family, play tennis and basketball, and take pictures.
MICHAEL FELIPE A. MERCADO
Practice Areas Litigation Contractual and Commercial Disputes Torts and Damages Estate Settlement Proceedings Property Disputes Criminal Prosecution and Defense Arbitration & Alternative Dispute Resolution Commercial Arbitration Construction Industry Arbitration Mediation and Other Alternative Modes of Dispute Resolution Admission to the Bar Admitted, 2001, 6th place Education San Beda College of Law (LLB, Ranked 2nd) Professional Activities and Memberships Member, IBP Nueva Vizcaya Member, Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. Member of the Board and President, One Central Condominium Association, Inc. Lecturer (San Beda College of Law, 2001 to 2003; Unibersidad de Manila, 2021 to present) Mr. Michael Felipe A. Mercado is a mid-level Partner in Siguion Reyna, Montecillo & Ongsiako. He is also currently one of the Deputy Heads of the Firm’s Litigation Department. He joined the Firm in 2001. Mr. Mercado’s practice areas involve litigation, labor law, commercial law, special proceedings and criminal disputes. He specializes in Alternative Dispute Resolution, specifically arbitration. His practice in litigation includes a comprehensive array of cases including violations of penal laws such as estafa and bouncing checks, civil disputes including personal injuries, property and family relations includes estate proceedings, and business tort or contractual controversies. In the field of alternative dispute resolution, he advice clients on the procedural and substantive laws aspects of alternative dispute resolution in the Philippines. He has likewise represented corporate clients in commercial and construction arbitration disputes before the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. and the Construction Industry Arbitration Commission. For his corporate practice, he participates in the conduct of legal audits and the preparation of due diligence reports for various corporate clients, with particular focus on labor and employment matters. He also represented clients in corporate rehabilitation cases. Mr. Mercado is the Data Privacy Office of the Law Firm and also advice clients regarding their data privacy concerns. Mr. Mercado was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2001, placing 6th among more than 5,000 examinees. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from San Beda College of Law in 2000, where he ranked 2nd. Before joining SRMO, Mr. Mercado worked extensively in the legislative and executive branches of the Philippine government. He was a Technical Assistant in the Congressional Commission on Health in 1992. He worked in the Department of Health Legislative Liaison Office from 1993 to 1995. He joined the Philippine Senate from 1995 to 2001, where he worked with various congressional committees. He was professorial lecturer in Legal Ethics and Research at the San Beda College of Law from 2001 to 2003. He is currently a lecturer in Unibersidad De Manila College of Law. He is a member of the Nueva Vizcaya Chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
ELITA JOY G. PINGA-QUICHO
Practice Areas Commercial law Corporate litigation Admission to the Bar Admitted, 2004 Education University of California at Berkeley (LLM with Certificate of Specialization in Law and Technology, Graduated with Distinction in the Dean’s List) University of the Philippines College of Law (LLB/Juris Doctor, Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence, Order of the Purple Feather, Top 8 of the Graduating Batch) Ateneo de Manila University (BS Legal Management, With Honors, Bronze Medal for Academic Excellence) Professional Activities and Memberships Member, UP Law Alumni Association Member, Ateneo Alumni Association Member, Berkeley Law Alumni Association Member, Integrated Bar of the Philippines Corporate Secretary, Warner Music Philippines, Inc. Director/Corporate Secretary, MullenLowe Treyna Corporate Secretary, GE Power Philippines, Inc. Corporate Secretary, Hongkong Land Philippines Development, Inc. Corporate Secretary, Transaction Network Services PHL, Inc. Corporate Secretary, Vikand Medical Solutions, Inc. Trustee/Corporate Secretary, Aawitan Kita Foundation, Inc. Professor, UP College of Law, Persons and Family Relations and Obligations and Contracts Professor, Universidad de Manila College of Law, Corporation Law and Persons and Family Relations Professor, University of Makati School of Law, Corporation Law and Law on Sales Professor, Manila Adventist College School of Law and Jurisprudence, Corporation Law Awards and Publications Public Policy Journal, Vol. X, No. 2 (July-December 2006 issue) The Child Witness and the Law: The Truth and Nothing But co-authored with Atty. Anna Victoria M. Veloso Ms. Elita Joy P. Quicho is a Partner in Siguion Reyna, Montecillo & Ongsiako. She joined the firm in December 2008. Ms. Quicho’s practice includes commercial law and corporate litigation. As a commercial law practitioner, Ms. Quicho has rendered legal advice and transactional assistance to both Philippine and foreign clients on a wide range of issues. She enjoys working on cross-border corporate and commercial transactions, project finance and mergers and acquisitions, involving such industries as telecommunications, energy and power, online gaming, banking, property development, media and advertising. She has advises clients on their data privacy, competition and anti-trust concerns. She has supervised major due diligence projects of the firm on key players in the pharmaceutical, cement, offshore banking, business process outsourcing, maritime tourism, real estate and online gaming industries. Ms. Quicho’s practice also includes dealings with Philippine regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, Philippine Stock Exchange, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, as well as being appointed as corporate secretary and director for various Philippine companies. Ms. Quicho’s extensive background in commercial law has also led to her participation in important corporate litigation matters handled by the firm involving shareholder disputes, corporate rehabilitation, debt recovery, corporate fraud government contracts, and commercial arbitration.
JOCELYN R. ESGUERRA-DEE
Practice Areas Corporate M&A Banking, Finance and Securities Competition & Antitrust. Admission to the Bar Admitted, 1999 Education University of the Philippines, Diliman (LLB) University of the Philippines, Diliman (A.B. Philosophy, Cum Laude) Professional Activities and Memberships Member, IBP Rizal Member, Philippines Bar Association Awards and Publications Recommended Lawyer, 2021, the Legal 500 Author, Country Comparative Guides for Secured Lending and Finance, 2019 and 2020 (the Legal 500) Ms. Jocelyn R. Esguerra-Dee is a partner in Siguion Reyna, Montecillo & Ongsiako. She joined the firm in 2000. Ms. Esguerra-Dee’s practice includes Corporate M&A, Banking, Finance and Securities, Competition & Antitrust. In Corporate M&A, Ms. Esguerra-Dee has extensive experience in local and cross-border mergers and acquisitions which are significant both in value and industry impact. She led the legal team that represented Nestlé S.A. in the Philippine aspect of two of its most notable transactions in the last decade: (a) the $11.85 billion acquisition of Pfizer’s infant nutrition business, and (b) the joint venture with R&R that created the $2.8 billion Froneri, a strong global ice cream and frozen food brand. She advised HSBC in the asset sale of its Philippine subsidiary in pursuit of the transfer of HSBC’s credit card unit to Capital One Financial Corp. She helps investors in building startups in the Philippines and advises parties to foreign investment projects from the conduct of the study and presentation of legal options to facilitating the implementation of such investment. As part of this practice, Ms. Esguerra-Dee also handles corporate housekeeping matters for clients, sitting as Director and Corporate Secretary in the Board of certain corporations, and assists companies in the creation and update of their corporate governance policies. Ms. Esguerra-Dee has significant experience in Banking, Finance and Securities. She assists clients in negotiating and entering into lending and financing arrangements including syndicated credit facilities and security agreements. She provides support and regulatory advice on both traditional and fintech financial services, helping clients navigate the legal and regulatory requirements of offering payments and e-money services. She was involved in advising the BAP Credit Bureau, Inc. in creating one the earliest credit information systems in the country. She handles the registration of foreign loans and investments with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas , and advises clients in respect of compliance with the AMLA and other banking laws and regulations. She has considerable involvement in aircraft lease and finance projects, assisting clients in the negotiation and implementation processes and representing them before the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and other government agencies. She handled an important transaction undertaken to implement the foreign aircraft operator’s contract with Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. in connection with its Malampaya project from its inception to its completion, and continues to advise the aircraft operator to date as a service provider in the project. Ms. Esguerra-Dee also advises on public offers and issues of debt and other types of securities. She handles securities registration and advises clients on compliance, listing and securitization. In Competition & Antitrust, Ms. Esguerra-Dee advises clients on competition laws and anti-trust issues. At the inception of the Philippine Competition Act in 2015, she represented a client before the newly created Philippine Competition Commission to clarify issues that helped in paving the way for the issuance of regulations which made the competition rules clearer. She helps parties to important deals overcome anti-trust issues to ensure compliance with competition laws and regulations.
ALVIN C. BATALLA
Practice Areas Civil Litigation Arbitration Corporate Rehabilitation Labor Law Admission to the Bar Admitted, 1990 Education University of the Philippines, LLB Professional Activities and Memberships Member, Integrated Bar of the Philippines Atty. Batalla’s fields of practice are in civil litigation/arbitration, corporate rehabilitation and labor law. He clerked for Justice Ricardo Pronove, Jr. of the Court of Appeals, while finishing his law degree. Subsequently, he worked for the Philippine Senate as a member of the technical staff of former Senator Santanina Rasul before joining the Firm. Mr. Batalla is a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law (1989), and took his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in the same university (1982). He is a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
GERMAN Q. LICHAUCO II
Practice Areas Heinous Crimes Medical Malpractice Construction and Commercial Arbitration Personal Injuries Business Tort Admission to the Bar Admitted, 1991 Education Ateneo Law School, Honors Professional Activities and Memberships Member, IBP Makati Chapter Aquila Legis Fraternity German Q. Lichauco II is an intra-corporate dispute litigator whose expertise includes hostile corporate take-over and control. He handles a wide array of cases that include heinous crimes, medical malpractice, construction and commercial arbitration, personal injuries and business tort or contractual controversies. Mr. Lichauco is a director and corporate secretary of Hereaus Electronic Materials Philippines, Inc., Casa Cebuana, Inc., Cebu Figueroa Estate Corporation and Coco Properties, Inc. He is also the compliance officer with a rank of vice president and corporate secretary of Medical Doctors, Inc., the company which controls and manages the Makati Medical Center Hospital. He is the corporate secretary of Orca Energy, Inc., a power corporation wholly owned by RollsRoyce Power Ventures Limited, and Island Power Corporation. He is a member of the Aquila Legis Fraternity and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Makati City Chapter Foundation, Inc. He graduated with honors from the Ateneo College of Law in 1991.
ALMA D. FERNANDEZ-MALLONGA
Practice Areas Litigation Labor Law International and Local Commercial Arbitration Corporate Law Admission to the Bar Admitted, 1987 Education University of the Philippines (LLB); Cum Laude, Valedictorian Professional Activities and Memberships Member, IBP Alma D. Fernandez-Mallonga is the Head of the Litigation Department. She is experienced in all phases of civil, criminal and corporate litigation. She handles a broad variety of cases that include corporate take-over, intra-corporate disputes, insolvency, medical malpractice, bouncing checks, libel, estate settlement, family relations, aviation liability, torts and damages, land titles and registration, and contractual interpretation and breach. She was involved in proceedings held in Sacramento, California to assist an American successfully resist extradition in a widely-publicized case, and has represented a prominent Philippine hospital and appeared in its behalf for the deposition of a medical expert from Johns Hopkins Hospital in a multi-million medical malpractice suit. Her field of practice also includes labor law, international and local commercial arbitration, and corporate law. Ms. Mallonga is presently the Corporate Secretary of ETSI Technologies, Inc. Ms. Mallonga received a Bachelor of Science degree, summa cum laude, in Sociology at the University of the Philippines in 1981 and obtained her law degree, cum laude, graduating valedictorian of her class, from the UP College of Law in 1986.