Chambers Asia Pacific (2022)

Banking & Finance - Band 3
Corporate/M&A - Band 2
Corporate/M&A: Real Estate - Band 2
Dispute Resolution - Band 2
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration - Band 2
Employment - Band 3
Projects, Infrastructure & Energy - Band 3
Tax - Band 3
Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) - Spotlight

Ranked Lawyers:
Anthony Mark A Gutierrez - Tax (Band 2)
Ben Dominic R Yap - Dispute Resolution (Band 3), Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (Spotlight)
Cesar E. Santamaria, Jr. - Employment (Band 3)
Jaime Renato B Gatmaytan - Corporate/M&A (Band 3), Projects, Infrastructure & Energy (Band 3)
Jesus Paolo Protacio - Dispute Resolution (Band 3)
Norma Margarita B Patacsil - Corporate/M&A (Band 2)

Banking & Finance

What the team is known for
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio is a Philippines-based legal team that is noted for its project finance and general loan facilities work. Assists various foreign and domestic banks and corporate borrowers with transactions in the Philippines. Also active on fintech matters. Examples of the firm's clientele include Standard Chartered Bank and SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet.

Strengths
One source says that they "are very satisfied with the quality of service rendered by Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio."

Work highlights
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio assisted Lendable SPC and Lendable Asset Management with a USD15 million term loan to Uploan Asia.

Notable practitioners
Annalisa Carlota and Jaime Renato Gatmaytan are key points of contact for clients.

Corporate/M&A

What the team is known for
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio provides extensive advice on foreign investments, share and asset acquisitions, as well as regulatory and compliance issues and divestments in the Philippines. Also experienced in assisting clients with the establishment of local businesses. Frequently advises on a range of corporate matters in the energy, aviation and technology industries. Clients benefit from its wide regional coverage and its experience handling cross-border matters. Additionally proficient in the real estate sector, often handling related disputes and tax matters, as well as M&A. Examples of the firms clientele include Stellar and TeaM Energy.

Strengths
One interviewee comments that Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio "stands out for its ability to communicate in a practical and commercial manner."

Another source appreciates the firm's "quick response times."

Work highlights
Assisted Stellar with the Philippines aspects of its merger with Probe.

Represented TeaM Energy in defence of executive orders imposed by the President of the Philippines relating to the reduction in real property tax of independent power producers.

Notable practitioners
Jaime Renato Gatmaytan heads the department and is experienced in equity investments and transactions. He often advises on matters in the projects and energy sector.

Norma Margarita Patacsil is known to be active on corporate work, whilst also being recognised for expertise in competition matters. One client describes her as "extremely practical and commercial in providing all services."

Dispute Resolution

What the team is known for
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio has a robust team of lawyers in the Philippines, able to advise on the full life-cycle of a dispute. Noted for arbitration expertise, assisting particularly frequently with international arbitration, and recognised for its representation of leading conglomerates. Well equipped to handle the full range of litigation matters, including contractual, medical malpractice, taxation and environment disputes, before local courts and the Supreme Court. Also experienced in conducting audits for compliance checks and leading internal investigations. Particularly active on energy-related disputes. Clients include Metro Rail Transit, TeaM Energy and STEAG State Power.

Strengths
A source values Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio's service, reporting: "Their advice is practical, well researched and aligned with the company's goals."

"Their pleadings are well drafted and the lawyers handling the case are always available for urgent and important calls and meetings," says an interviewee.

Work highlights
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio acted for Standard Chartered Bank on a PHP1.12 billion claim against a government-owned corporation, in relation to a guarantee agreement linked to a loan facility from the client and three other banks.

Notable practitioners
Ben Dominic Yap is active on international arbitration and Philippines litigation mandates, including for energy clients. An impressed source effuses: "Ben Yap is extremely switched on and a very strong technical lawyer."

Jesus Paolo Protacio is active on a range of commercial and employment disputes and has expertise in cases related to the energy and infrastructure sectors. A source comments: "He givesvery practical advice from both a business and legal perspective, and always looks out for the company’s best interests."

Employment

What the team is known for
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio's well-known team of lawyers in Manila regularly advises on employee misconduct, employee termination and the defence of discrimination cases. Well versed in advising on the employment implications of M&A transactions as well as collective bargaining agreements. Also handles employment matters for multinational corporates setting up business operations in Philippines. Acts for multinational clients in a range of sectors including technology, energy and finance.

Strengths
A source praises Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio's "ability to provide strategic advice and reliable risk assessments throughout."

Work highlights
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio advised an agro-industrial and food conglomerate on collective bargaining negotiations with a union representing 200 employees.

Notable practitioners
Cesar Santamaria is well versed in advising multinational corporations on a range of employment law issues in the Philippines, from advisory matters and collective bargaining negotiations to illegal dismissal complaints. One source praises him as "responsive and client-centric."

Projects, Infrastructure & Energy

What the team is known for
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio is recognised and respected in the legal market for its activity in the Philippines infrastructure and energy arenas. Well versed in project finance, including in the LNG and renewable energy sectors. Strong knowledge of the regulatory framework and contractual issues, including in relation to disputes work. It advises both public and private sector clients, including government bodies, significant financial institutions and major corporates, including STEAG State Power and Retail Electricity Suppliers Association.

Strengths
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio is commended by an interviewee for its "prompt and high-quality legal services in tune with business needs."

Another source says: "Their quality of service is excellent and they have solid knowledge of the rules and regulations in the power industry."

Work highlights
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio advised FGEN LNG on an onshore and offshore LNG infrastructure development project in the Philippines, worth over USD1 billion.

Notable practitioners
Jaime Renato Gatmaytan is acknowledged for his expertise in projects in the Philippines. His work includes project-related financings in the power sector.

Tax

What the team is known for
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio continues to be prominent in tax disputes in the Philippines, with notable experience in challenging tax assessments. Offers considerable expertise in advising clients from the energy sector, such as TeaM Energy and STEAG State Power, as well as the manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries. Significant activity on advisory matters, assisting clients with the tax aspects of transactional matters, including on cross-border aspects.

Strengths
An interviewee says: "Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio's work output is timely, accurate and responsive to our needs and requirements. Clients can take great comfort in their in-depth legal opinions."

"They are able to anticipate issues that we were not able to consider," appreciates another source.

Work highlights
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio represented TeaM Sual in court proceedings to cancel a USD7 million local business tax assessment by a local government unit.

Notable practitioners
Anthony Mark Gutierrez is highly active on tax work advising on a wide range of matters from tax disputes to tax restructuring. According to an interviewee, "he gives timely and well-considered legal advice that is relevant to business."

Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT)

What the team is known for
Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio is a well-respected law firm in the Philippines for work in TMT. Advises international clients across the full scope of matters, particularly data privacy, OTT content, cloud services and telecoms infrastructure. Regularly seen on matters in such industries as media, e-commerce and IT.

Strengths
One interviewee states that Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio is "a top-tier firm in the Philippines, and one upon which I would rely for advice in the Philippines market."

A source indicates: "A key strength is their responsiveness and good working knowledge of the local law."

Notable practitioners
Mary Thel Mundin is the leader of the firm's TMT practice, and is a key contact for clients.