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United by common ideals and shared values

As Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia continues to respond to the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the health and safety of our employees and the business needs of our clients remain our top priority.

In this regard, we would like to inform you that our firm is continuing its work-from-home policy for all its legal and non-legal personnel until there is an official declaration from the Office of the President of the Philippines that the COVID-19 pandemic has been contained. In the meantime, we are also maintaining a skeleton staff of non-legal personnel at our offices.

Notwithstanding our work-from-home policy, our lawyers and non-legal staff shall be accessible by phone and email and shall continue to serve all the needs of our clients during this time. Our firm is also equipped to arrange video or telephone conferences with you using our technology Infrastructure (i.e., Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business, Zoom, among others) to enable our legal and non-legal personnel to effectively and promptly service the needs of our clients while remaining safe at home.

We look forward to the resolution of the COVID-19 crisis and hope that all of you remain safe and in good health.

Thank you.

COMPILATION OF GOVERNMENT ISSUANCES RELATING TO THE COVID-19 INFECTION

Jon Anton Daryl Y. Chua

Partner

Areas of Practice

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Our Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice is best known for delivering results in must-win high stakes disputes. Our practice is characterized by Creative solutions, Mastery of the legal terrain, and unwavering Tenacity — from “bare-knuckle” litigation, to coordinated and multi-pronged campaigns that meet the client’s needs.

Corporate and Special Projects

Beyond providing in-depth legal solutions to complex legal and business issues and transactions that protect and add value to each client’s interests and business objectives, we ensure that we provide quality and timely service according to each client’s needs.

Intellectual Property

Our Intellectual Property practice encompasses the whole spectrum of IP from rights identification and prosecution to IP enforcement, litigation and commercialization of trademarks, patents (inventions, utility models, industrial designs) and copyrights. Our IP Department is also the rare practice with the in-house capability to directly provide value-added services, such as patent drafting, IP litigation, IP audit and valuation, all rendered by our IP lawyers with experience and niche expertise. This unique capability is what enables our IP Department to render prompt, responsive and effective legal services to our clients.

Mining & Natural Resources/Energy

We counsel leading mining and energy companies on a broad range of matters, including capitalization requirements, government approvals, licenses and registrations required for all stages of mining and energy development, including the preparation and review of applications for mineral agreements, exploration permits and service contracts.

Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution

The alternative dispute resolution practice of the firm provides efficient and effective professional assistance to our clients through arbitration, mediation, or conciliation of disputes that encompass different sectors of the economy and by harnessing the statutory policy of party autonomy, confidentiality of proceedings and the speedy resolution of disputes.

Infrastructure, Transportation and Public Utilities

Among our roster of lawyers are partners who have served in senior government positions, whose experience lends a unique perspective and proves invaluable in providing insights in the workings of the public infrastructure sector. This allows us to better counsel and advise clients on the legal, regulatory and policy aspects of dealings with the government and its various instrumentalities.

Taxation

Our expert team of taxation lawyers can help design innovative solutions for the efficient management of tax burdens for individuals and corporations alike. Our team is well versed in the latest developments in tax laws and regulations, to provide our clients with up-to-date and comprehensive legal advice.

Labor and Employment

The firm’s lawyers are expertly trained practitioners with proficiency in providing legal, practical and effective solutions to complex labor-related issues and concerns.

Trade

Our trade practice is founded on the diverse experience of our lawyers who have advised or represented international associations, multi-national manufacturers, domestic producers and exporters in various trade remedies, from the Department of Trade and Industry to the Tariff Commission and the Supreme Court.

Telecommunications, Media and Technology

In response to developments in the FINTECH and start-up industries, the accelerating changes to the commercial and business environment, and the increasing role of advancements in technology in driving future growth of traditional industries, the firm provides legal advice and assistance to TMT businesses in relation to investments, corporate structuring and setup, M&As, and regulatory/permitting applications.

Family Law

Our firm’s family law practice provides counsel on all aspects of family relations, such as pre-nuptial agreements and property relations, adoption and child custody, annulment of marriage, legal separation, wills and succession planning, and even the most difficult and delicate issues such as paternity disputes and domestic violence.

Competition

Our firm offers a wide spectrum of competition law services, such as representation in anti-trust investigations and disputes, assistance with merger and acquisition mandates, review of commercial agreements and policies, development of compliance strategies, programs, and audits, and formulation of opinions on complex competition issues, as well as attendance as competition lawyers during Board and committee meetings.

Data Privacy

Our firm assists clients in navigating through the ever-evolving and complex requirements of privacy and data security laws. It provides comprehensive data privacy and security services, such as: legal structuring and maintenance of data protection systems, formulation of security measures and procedures, compliance with registration and other requirements of the National Privacy Commission, and representation in privacy litigation.

Financial Technology

FinTech in many ways has progressed tremendously in recent years. It is expected that FinTech will further adapt to the changing needs and circumstances of Filipinos as it is expected to further disrupt legacy financial services and bring about financial inclusion. Our firm has developed expertise on the new legal regulations for the FinTech industry. Our goal is not simply to provide legal services but to grow with FinTech startups who are led by those who have the entrepreneurial spirit and passion to develop their FinTech business, as we assist them to navigate this new legal landscape and to grow their respective businesses.