Global Arbitration Review (GAR) has released the 2026 edition ofKnow How: Construction Arbitration. The Philippine chapter was authored byRicardo Ma. P.G. Ongkiko, Senior Partner and Head of the Litigation and Arbitration Department, PartnersMa. Patricia B. Paz-JacobaandRamon I. Rocha IV, and Senior AssociateRaymond Joseph S. Garcia, with contributions from AssociatesJose Lorenzo C. Dave,John Oliver T. Real, andJarel Simon K. Uy...
SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (SyCipLaw)
Legal Services | Philippines
tel: +63289823500 | fax: +63288482030
SyCipLaw Center | 105 Paseo de Roxas, 1226 Makati City | Metro Manila | 1229 | Philippines
Main Contacts
Offices
Metro Manila, Philippines | Cebu City, Philippines | Davao City, Philippines | Olongapo City, Philippines
Overview
SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (SyCipLaw) is one of the largest law firms in the Philippines with branch offices in Cebu City, Davao City, and the Subic Freeport Zone. It is a full-service law firm and was founded in 1945.
We offer a broad and integrated range of legal services, including those in the following fields:
* M&A and Special Projects
* Banking, finance and securities
* Corporate services and general commercial law
* Employment law and immigration
* Litigation and dispute resolution
* Tax
* Intellectual property
SyCipLaw has specialists in key practice areas such as anti-trust and competition, energy, infrastructure, real estate, data privacy, natural resources, government contracts, insurance, international arbitration, and TMT.
We represent clients from almost every industry and enterprise, and the firm’s client portfolio includes local and global business leaders. We also act for governmental agencies, international organizations, and non-profit institutions.
SyCipLaw is ranked as a top-tier firm by Chambers Asia-Pacific, Chambers Global, Asia-Pacific Legal 500, asialaw, IFLR1000, and the ALB M&A rankings.
We maintain links with established and leading firms based in other jurisdictions, including the United States, and countries in Europe and Asia.
Year this Office was Founded: 1945
Lawyers Worldwide: 152
Notable
Areas of Practice
Representative Clients
Professionals
Partners
Jan Celine C. Abano-Ranada
Partner
Leah C. Abutan
Partner
Roshni V. Balani
Partner
Melyjane G. Bertillo-Ancheta
Partner
Rodelle B. Bolante
Partner
Easter Princess U. Castro
Partner
John Paul V. de Leon
Partner
Anthony W. Dee
Partner
Leslie C. Dy
Partner
Rafael L. Encarnacion
Partner
Alan C. Fontanosa
Partner in Charge
Vicente D. Gerochi IV
Partner
Joanna Marie O. Joson
Partner
Rose Marie M. King-Dominguez
Partner
Carina C. Laforteza
Partner
Hiyasmin H. Lapitan
Partner
Franco Aristotle G. Larcina
Partner
Ronald Mark C. Lleno
Partner
Carlos Roberto Z. Lopez
Partner
Amer Hussein N. Mambuay
Partner in Charge
Arlene M. Maneja
Partner
Enrique T. Manuel
Head, Intellectual Property Department
Rolando V. Medalla, Jr.
Head, Tax Department
Maria Teresa D. Mercado-Ferrer
Partner
Marianne M. Miguel
Partner
Ricardo Maria P.G. Ongkiko
Head of the Litigation Department
Jose Florante M. Pamfilo
Partner
Dante T. Pamintuan
Partner
Benedicto P. Panigbatan
Partner
Ma. Patricia B. Paz-Jacoba
Partner
Rocky Alejandro L. Reyes
Head of Special Projects Department
Aaron Roi B. Riturban
Partner
Russel L. Rodriguez
Partner
Angel M. Salita, Jr.
Partner
Ramon G. Songco
Partner
Lozano A. Tan
Of Counsel
Marietta A. Tibayan
Partner
Philbert E. Varona
PartnerAssociates
Austin Claude S. Alcantara
Senior Associate
Il Young Choi
Associate
Mark Kevin U Dellosa
Associate
Camille Angela M. Espeleta
Associate
Kristina Paola P Frias
Associate
Ricardo Jesus E. Gutierrez
Associate
Eugenio M Leynes
Associate
Christian B. Llido
Partner
Bhong Paulo A. Macasaet
Senior Associate
Anne Katherine P. Navarrete
Associate
Danielle Mae D. Navarro
Associate
Maria Christina C. Ortua
Senior Associate
Mark Xavier D. Oyales
Associate
Emmar Benjoe B. Panahon
Senior Associate
Rosevee R. Paylip-Guiang
Senior Associate
Javierose M Ramirez
Associate
Loubelle L Razon
Associate
John Christian Joy A. Regalado
Senior Associate
Ramon I Rocha IV
Associate
Renz Jeffrey A Ruiz
Associate
Nikko Emmanuel D Silva
Associate
Tania Stephanie T Telow
Associate
Joan Mae S. To Conejos
Senior Associate
Maria Viola B. Vista
Senior AssociateOf Counsel
Emmanuel M. Lombos
Of Counsel
Imelda A. Manguiat
Of CounselOther
Marie Antoinette Ingcoco
Business Development ManagerArticles
BSP Circular No. 1238: Fairer Fees and Stronger Safeguards in Digital Payments
On June 17, 2026, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (“BSP”) issued Memorandum No. M-2026-025 (the “Memorandum”) and BSP Circular No. 1238 (the “Circular”) lifting the moratorium on increase of fees for Instapay and PESONet Transactions and amending the rules to regulate payment charges to be more fair, transparent, and commensurate with underlying expenses of delivery of operations. The moratorium was lifted to support fairer pricing in digital payments and a structured approach to person‑to‑person transfers...
Press releases
SyCipLaw Recognized at Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific Awards 2026
SyCipLaw was recognized as the Philippine Firm of the Year as well as the Client Choice Awardee at the Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific Awards 2026 (inaugural live awards) ceremony held on July 2, 2026, in Beijing, China.The Philippine Firm of the Year recognition marks SyCipLaw’s fourth win in the category, the Firm having previously received the award in 2021, 2023, and 2024.Senior Partner Ramon G. Songco was named Philippine Lawyer of the Year.Partner Russel L. Rodriguez received the Client Choice Award, in recognition of his outstanding client service and excellence in litigation practice...
Lexology Index Southeast Asia Guide 2026 Recognizes 13 SyCipLaw Lawyers
Lexology Index recognized 13 SyCipLaw lawyers in its 2026 Southeast Asia Guide across a range of practice areas:Thought LeaderHector M. de Leon, Jr. – Firm Management Recommended LawyersHector M. de Leon, Jr. – M&ARose Marie M. King-Dominguez – Data, Fintech & Blockchain, M&ARicardo Ma. P.G. Ongkiko – Arbitration, Commercial LitigationLeslie C. Dy – Labour, Employment & BenefitsCarlos Roberto Z...