The Legal 500 - Asia Pacific (2019)
Banking and Finance - Tier 3
Corporate and M&A - Tier 3
Dispute Resolution - Tier 2
Labour and Employment - Tier 2
Projects and Energy - Tier 1
Real Estate and Construction - Tier 1
Tax - Tier 1
Leading Lawyers:
Anthony Gutierrez - Tax
Ben Yap - Dispute Resolution
Cesar Santamaria, Jr - Labour and Employment
Jaime Gatmaytan - Projects and Energy, Real Estate and Construction
Next Generation Lawyer:
Katrine Paula Suyat - Labour and Employment
Roxanne Tadique - Tax
Banking and Finance
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) advises clients on regulatory, compliance and operational requirements. It also advises lenders and borrowers on structuring, documenting, lending, security, and other financial transaction matters. The firm recently advised DBS Bank, Mizuho Bank, MUFG Bank and Standard Chartered Bank in relation to a $338m loan to AEV International to finance the purchase of 75% of Golden Springs Group in Vietnam. Jaime Gatmaytan and Norma Patacsil head the team.
Corporate and M&A
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) is experienced in handling matters of incorporation, closure, governance, compliance, and mergers and acquisitions. Key sectors include energy, finance, healthcare, logistics, oil and gas, real estate and infrastructure. The team recently advised on the merger of two publicly-listed corporations in a deal worth PHP25bn. Jaime Gatmaytan and Norma Patacsil jointly head the team, with support from Mary Mundin and Albert Yu Chang. Katrine Suyat was promoted to senior associate.
Dispute Resolution
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) advises on international and domestic arbitrations. Areas of expertise include contractual disputes, product liability, torts, tax, banking and securities law. The firm recently represented Sanofi Pasteur in a $40m tax dispute with the Philippine tax authorities. Other clients include Metro Rail Transit, Standard Chartered Bank, Ayala Land and Lombard Investments. Key practitioners include Ben Yap, Anthony Gutierrez, Jess Lopez and Jesus Protacio. Vladi Lazaro was promoted to partner.
Labour and Employment
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) advises on labour standards, employee benefits, compliance, terminations, investigations, misconduct, transfers, reorganisations, redundancy and overseas deployments. The firm recently acted for HP in relation to its acquisition of Samsung’s printer business, advising it on the matters around the transfer of employees including terminations, transfers and hiring. Other clients include American Express International, AXA Life Insurance, Canon Marketing and Facebook. Cesar Santamaria, Jr heads the team. Vladi Lazaro was promoted to partner; senior associate Katrine Paula Suyat is also recommended.
Projects and Energy
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) advises clients internationally on major energy projects including coal, geothermal, wind and solar energies. The firm continue to act for Dole Philippines in relation to the proposed development of a biogas facility. Other clients include Filinvest Development, JG Summit Holdings, Changi Airports International and First Gen. Key practitioners include Jaime Gatmaytan, Ben Yap, Norma Patacsil and Albert Yu Chang.
Real Estate and Construction
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) deals with various real estate and construction matters including land acquisitions, real estate transactions, and construction and infrastructure projects. The firm recently acted for Republic Cement and CRH in relation to the drafting and negotiation of a contract with a contractor for the construction and commissioning of a new coal mill. Other clients include Ayala Land, Aboitiz Power and Parkway Group Healthcare. Jaime Gatmaytan and Norma Patacsil head the team with support from Mary Mundin, Albert Yu Chang and Ben Yap.
Tax
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) advises clients in a range of sectors including power generation, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and mining. The firm continues to act for Metro Rail Transit in court proceedings to dispute an alleged deficiency tax assessment for income tax, value-added tax, withholding tax, improperly accumulated earnings tax (IAET) and documentary stamp tax; this case is estimated to be worth around $195m. Other clients include Sanofi Pasteur, Hyder Consulting Middle East, Pagbilao Energy and Green Cross. Anthony Gutierrez heads the team with support from Jesus Protacio, senior associate Roxanne Tadique and associate Cler Gonzales.