Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia (CMT) Partner Ramon Manolo A. Alcasabas, the head of the firm’s Data Privacy practice, moderated the Data Privacy Panel during the Asian Legal Business (ALB) Philippine In-House Legal Summit 2025, held in Manila on 08 October 2025.
The session, titled “Era of Surveillance, Consent & Cyber Threats,” brought together legal and compliance experts from leading corporations to discuss the latest challenges and best practices in data protection, cybersecurity, and digital governance.
The panel explored key issues shaping data privacy compliance in the Philippines and across the Asia-Pacific region, including:
- Updates from the National Privacy Commission (NPC) on enforcement priorities for 2025;
- Best practices in data governance, security frameworks, and cross-border data transfers;
- Incident management protocols for data breach containment and notification;
- Emerging risks associated with AI, cookies, and biometric data; and
- Lessons from global privacy enforcement, including recent GDPR cases.
Joining Mr. Alcasabas on the panel were distinguished privacy leaders from the country’s top institutions:
- Mr. Francis Euston R. Acero, Data Protection Officer, Meralco
- Mr. Ryan N. Espiritu, Regional Data Protection Officer & Legal Counsel, Western Union
As moderator, Mr. Alcasabas steered the discussion toward practical insights and emerging regulatory expectations, emphasizing the critical role of in-house counsel in strengthening corporate data protection frameworks amid increasing digital transformation.
Mr. Alcasabas is highly regarded for his work in technology law, data privacy, and corporate governance, advising multinational clients on compliance, digital transactions, and risk management. His participation in the ALB Summit underscores CMT’s ongoing commitment to shaping conversations on the evolving regulatory landscape and supporting the business community in navigating complex legal challenges.
The ALB Philippine In-House Legal Summit 2025, organized by Thomson Reuters, gathered more than 200 legal professionals from across industries to exchange insights on governance, ESG, artificial intelligence, dispute resolution, and the evolving role of in-house counsel.
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