The practice at Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw) has a strong reputation for its capabilities in handling the array of corporate transactions for its roster of clients, including advising on the structuring of foreign equity investments, on proposed large-scale development and investment projects, and on the range of competition matters. It has expertise in advising on high-value M&A in both domestic and international contexts, and handling the complex due diligence aspects therein. Judy Hao is at the helm of the team. Key practitioners include Everlene Lee, who leads on some of the group’s highest value mergers, and Maria Angeline L. Tayag, who is equipped to handle M&A. James Patrick O. Alojado is also noteworthy and experienced acting as counsel to key clients on transactional issues.

Quisumbing Torres’ group ‘always goes the extra mile’ when assisting its roster of clients, which features listed companies and multinational corporations. The team handles work ranging from the structuring of foreign investments and the creation of preparatory and ancillary agreements, to advising on sale and purchase agreements. Further, it advises on transactions including corporate reorganisations, joint ventures and M&A. Team head Maria Christina Macasaet-Acaban has expertise in handling matters in the healthcare and life sciences industry sectors in particular. Dennis Quintero harnesses experience in projects, EMI and corporate and M&A matters, while Julius Cervantes is noteworthy for his handling of corporate maintenance services-related cases. Diane Maxima Singayan-Mallillin left the firm.

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan’s practice is broad ranging, advising on matters spanning sectors from insurance and construction, to consumer goods and services. Its workload includes advising well-known domestic and international clients on all aspects of acquisitions, sales, investments and joint ventures, frequently in cross-jurisdictional contexts where ultra-high-values are involved. Rocky Alejandro L. Reyes helms the group, key practitioners in which include Arlene M. Maneja who ‘is very experienced in cross-border M&A’ and is also well regarded for her regulatory experience. Hector De Leon, Jr. is also noteworthy and specialises in the remit of corporate and M&A work across the range of industries, while Imelda A. Manguiat specialises in M&A, power, projects and foreign investments.

Noted for its ‘commendable commitment’ to its clientele, the team at Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) is well equipped to handle the broad range of complex work. Such work includes assisting with significant joint ventures, the development and construction projects of considerable scale, and with divestments and sales of high-value. Raoul Angangco has significant experience handling work in the real estate, energy and construction sectors, Sylvette Y. Tankiang’s areas of specialism include taxation, and power and energy, while Kristin Charisse C. Siao provides end-to-end support across the array of complex and high-value transactions. The three lead the practice alongside Juanito L. Sañosa, who joined in April 2024, following the January 2024 departure of former co-lead Franchette Acosta.

Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia has a reputation for its capabilities in providing its clientele with end-to-end support on the broad range of transactions. The team’s client portfolio covers a diverse range of industry sectors, and its transactional work includes due diligence aspects, and the drafting and negotiation of various related key contracts and agreements. Advising on due diligence and compliance are areas of specialism of Aida Araceli Roxas-Rivera who heads up the practice. Manuel L. Manaligod, Jr. has PPP and infrastructure-related experience in particular; the ‘very skillful’ Rosa Michele Bagtas is noteworthy; as is regulatory, corporate and commercial expert Pancho Umali.

The ‘excellent team’ at Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) is headed up by Norma Margarita Patacsil, who is considered ‘a top practitioner in the Philippines’ by clients; Patacsil harnesses expertise in M&A, corporate and commercial matters. The group has well-established expertise advising on all aspects of the broad range of complex transactions, including joint ventures, acquisitions and sales of considerable value, often with cross-jurisdictional scope. Andrea E. Katipunan-Leido handles energy-related work, while Katrine Paula Suyat-Antonio has expertise in due diligence aspects of transactions.

The ‘experienced and professional’ team at Martinez Vergara & Gonzalez Sociedad has noteworthy experience representing its roster of clients, which spans sectors from industrials and manufacturing to tech and telecoms, on the remit of high-value transactions. Advising on the due diligence, regulatory and transactional aspects of mergers, acquisitions, sales and joint ventures are all areas of expertise of the practice. Rosalia Bartolome-Alejo oversees the team and is well equipped to assist clients with complex M&A, business formation and foreign investment work. Manuel Gonzalez and Janice Co are both well placed to advise on key acquisitions. Gwyneth S. Ong is also noteworthy.

Disini & Disini Law Office houses a cohort which is equipped to handle the remit of transactional work for its clients, including advising on an ongoing basis on investments; assisting with key, high-value acquisitions; and assisting with foreign investments. It advises on the regulatory and compliance aspects therein in large part, and has cross-jurisdictional capabilities. JJ Disini has experience assisting on corporate, project finance, securities and foreign investment matters and leads the team alongside fintech specialist Lars Serzo.

Gruba Caganda Advincula Melo & de la Fuente's collective is well equipped to advise on high-value, multi-jurisdictional transactions, including sales and M&A, wherein it handles complex regulatory and due diligence aspects. The practice is co-led by M&A specialist Antero Jose Caganda alongside Juan Miguel Victor De La Fuente. Theresa G. dela Rosa was promoted to partnership in January 2024 and Michael Stephen Lao is a name to note.

Gulapa & Lim (Gulapa Law)'s practice handles a range of high-value acquisitions, including advising on securities and exchange approval, and assisting with corporate restructuring. Aris L. Gulapa, who splits his time between the firm’s New York City and Philippines offices, helms the practice and has experience advising companies across the range of sectors in complex mergers. Gulapa leads alongside Melissa Chavez-Dee, who has expertise in handling corporate due diligence, particularly in renewable energy contexts.

Serrano Law’s ‘dynamic and collaborative’ practice is headed up by Elmer B. Serrano, who has particular expertise advising on M&A for clients in the banking and financial services industry sectors, assisting with acquisitions which involve equity purchases and sales of assets is a frequent feature of the team’s workload. Both Serrano and Phil Ivan Chan are noted for their ‘exemplary performance and outstanding qualities and skills’, while Tephanie Gandia is regarded as ‘very experienced, practical and resourceful’ by clients.

The group at Sarmiento Loriega Law Firm advises its roster of clients on the array of transactional matters, including onshore and offshore acquisitions, atop providing ongoing guidance post-acquisition. Julito R. Sarmiento helms the practice alongside M&A and energy specialist Maria Elizabeth Peralta-Loriega, Bryan A. San Juan, and corporate and tax expert Recolito Ferdinand N. Cantre.

The ‘dynamic team’ at Tolosa Javier Lim & Chua Law Firm has a reputation for its ‘extensive background and experience in corporation laws’. The team is led by Dyan Danika G. Lim-Ong and is experienced in handling the due diligence and regulatory aspects of high-value corporate matters for its growing roster of clients. The team was bolstered in October 2023 with the arrival of Sopfia R. Guira from private practice.

The cohort at Del Rosario & Del Rosario is experienced in handling cross-jurisdictional M&A, particularly the due diligence aspects; it also advises on corporate establishment and reorganisation. The team’s clients are in the shipping sector and it is co-headed by Ruben Del Rosario and Arturo Del Rosario Jr.

The practice at Subido Pagente Certeza Mendoza & Binay (SPCMB Law Offices) is well placed to assist its clientele in high-value transactions including joint ventures, share acquisitions and equity investments, as well as in transaction review matters. Martin Subido oversees the team alongside Jennifer T. Ong, Paula Katrina L. Nora and Princesita Pasana-Turgano.