Professional Background
Atty. Galacio’s expertise in Dispute Resolution, both domestic and international, traverses the entire spectrum, from mainstream litigation to alternative dispute resolution (ADR), for 25 years now. He heads the ADR and Arbitration Practice of the Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia Law Offices.
As an ADR practitioner, he is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and of the Philippine Institute of Arbitrators (PIArb). He is a Certified Mediator and a Mediation Trainor/Assessor and a Certified Negotiator and Negotiation Trainor/Assessor as well. He is also an Arbitration, Mediation, and Negotiation Counsel.
He obtained an Oxford-UK CIArb Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration, and Certificates in: (1) International Investment Arbitration, (2) Maritime Arbitration and Dispute Resolution, and (3) International Air Law. He is also a Faculty Tutor of the CIArb East Asia Branch. He obtained various international and local trainings including Project Management and Dispute Boards.
As a senior litigator, he has been spearheading high-profile and complex criminal, civil, commercial, administrative, regulatory and labor cases. With sterling record, he has practiced before all court levels in the Philippines as well as administrative and investigatory agencies.
He has a keen understanding and expertise on commercial and civil contracts, joint venture, government procurement, infrastructure and construction projects (including Federation of Consulting Engineers [FIDIC] contracts), information technology, intellectual property, maritime and aviation contracts. Demonstrating a deep appreciation of the client’s interests and considerations, he channels his extraordinary leadership in case strategies, calculated to obtain optimum benefits and expand opportunities.
Elmar is a Professor and Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Lecturer, arbitration counsel, mediator, negotiator, and arbitrator accredited with the Singapore International Arbitration Center (SIAC), Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR), Philippine Construction Industry Arbitration Commission (CIAC), Philippine International Center for Conflict Resolution (PICCR), Philippine Dispute Resolution Center (PDRC), and the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB). He was then Deputy General Counsel of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).
He obtained: (1) Master in Public Policy (MPP), Graduate Research Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS): Japan (2000) under Monbusho Scholarship; (2) Bachelor of Laws (LlB), University of the Philippines (1997): Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence; Philippine Law Journal Student Editorial Board); and (3) Bachelor of Arts, Holy Name University: Bohol, Philippines (1992), Summa Cum Laude.
Elmar is proficient in English, Filipino, Nihongo, and Cebuano.
Elmar Galacio – Curriculum Vitae