SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan We represent clients from almost every industry and enterprise, and the firm’s client portfolio includes local and global business leaders.

We offer a broad and integrated range of legal services, with departments in the following fields:

• Banking, finance and securities
• Special projects
• Corporate services
• General business law
• Tax
• Intellectual property
• Employment law and immigration
• Dispute resolution

Within this structure, we have specialists in key practice areas such as mergers and acquisitions, energy, power, in

frastructure, natural resources, government contracts, real estate, insurance, international arbitration, mediation, media, business process outsourcing, and technology. We also act for governmental agencies, international organizations, and non-profit institutions. We maintain links with established and leading firms based in other jurisdictions, including the United States, and countries in Europe and Asia. We are an active member of various international lawyers’ associations, such as the Employment Law Alliance, the Interlex Group, the Multinational Association of Law Firms, the Pacific Rim Advisory Council, the World Law Group, and the World Services Group. We are ranked as a top-tier firm by Chambers Asia-Pacific, Chambers Global, Asia-Pacific Legal 500, Asialaw Profiles, and IFLR1000 rankings.

SyCipLaw has contributed the Philippine section of the Thomson Reuters Country Update on Anti-Money Laundering ( ). The ...
07/08/2026

SyCipLaw has contributed the Philippine section of the Thomson Reuters Country Update on Anti-Money Laundering ( ). The chapter was authored by Partners 𝐁𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐨 𝐀. 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐞𝐭 and 𝐌𝐚. 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚 𝐁. 𝐏𝐚𝐳-𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐛𝐚, with assistance from Associates 𝐀𝐥𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐀. 𝐒𝐡𝐢 and 𝐀𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐲𝐚𝐡 𝐓. 𝐘𝐛𝐚ñ𝐞𝐳.

The country update provides an overview of the Philippine legal and regulatory framework for addressing money laundering activities, including the application of key provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001. It also discusses the covered persons subject to reporting obligations and outlines the functions and powers of the Anti-Money Laundering Council, including investigating suspicious transactions, conducting inquiries into bank deposits and investments, pursuing civil forfeiture, preserving and disposing assets, and imposing administrative sanctions and penalties.

Continue reading on our website: https://syciplaw.com/syciplaw-shares-insights-on-philippine-anti-money-laundering-framework-and-enforcement/

SyCipLaw announces the appointment of retired Senior Partner 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 “𝐉𝐮𝐧” 𝐌. 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚, 𝐉𝐫. as Of Counsel to the Firm, effec...
03/08/2026

SyCipLaw announces the appointment of retired Senior Partner 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 “𝐉𝐮𝐧” 𝐌. 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚, 𝐉𝐫. as Of Counsel to the Firm, effective August 1, 2026.

In his distinguished career with the Firm, Jun has built an exceptional practice focused on corporate and commercial law, with particular expertise in energy, power, infrastructure, project finance, banking, and investment. For over three decades, he advised clients on many of the Philippines’s most significant infrastructure, energy, and investment projects, earning the trust of leading local and international companies.

Jun obtained his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of the Philippines in 1982, placing first in the 1984 Mechanical Engineering Board Examinations. He later earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the same university in 1989 and placed 11th in the 1991 Bar Examinations. Jun later added an MBA in International Management from the International University of Japan, on a full scholarship, to his impressive academic credentials. He also spent time as an exchange student at the University of Washington, adding a global dimension to his already diverse background.

Before joining SyCipLaw, Jun held engineering and planning positions at the National Power Corporation, San Miguel Corporation, and PNOC-Coal Corporation, bringing a unique technical perspective to his legal practice. He joined the Firm in August 1994 and was admitted to the partnership in January 2001.

Jun has been consistently recognized by leading legal publications as a notable practitioner in project development in the energy, technology and telecommunications, utilities, and oil and gas sectors.

Jun played an important role in strengthening the Firm’s projects, infrastructure and energy practice, while mentoring generations of younger lawyers. He generously shared his time and expertise through the Committees he served on over the years, including as Chair of the Firm’s Asset Management Committee and as a member of the Hiring Committee. He also served as a member of the Executive Committee from 2017 to 2018. Jun is widely respected by his colleagues for his professionalism, integrity, technical expertise, and steady leadership.

The Firm is proud and pleased that Jun’s distinguished service to SyCipLaw will continue in his new role as Of Counsel.

Lexology Index recognized 13 SyCipLaw lawyers in its 2026 Southeast Asia Guide across a range of practice areas:Thought ...
22/07/2026

Lexology Index recognized 13 SyCipLaw lawyers in its 2026 Southeast Asia Guide across a range of practice areas:

Thought Leader

𝐇𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐌. 𝐝𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧, 𝐉𝐫. – Firm Management

Recommended Lawyers

𝐇𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐌. 𝐝𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧, 𝐉𝐫. – M&A
𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐌. 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠-𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐳 – Data, Fintech & Blockchain, M&A
𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐨 𝐌𝐚. 𝐏.𝐆. 𝐎𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐢𝐤𝐨 – Arbitration, Commercial Litigation
𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐂. 𝐃𝐲 – Labour, Employment & Benefits
𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨 𝐙. 𝐋𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐳 – Commercial Litigation
𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐆. 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐜𝐨 – Commercial Litigation
𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 𝐌. 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚, 𝐉𝐫. – Project Finance
𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐂. 𝐋𝐚𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐳𝐚 – Corporate Tax
𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐢𝐧 𝐍. 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐮𝐚𝐲 – Labour, Employment & Benefits
𝐑𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐁. 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞 – Labour, Employment & Benefits
𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞 𝐌. 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐥 – Labour, Employment & Benefits
𝐀𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐌. 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐣𝐚 – Competition
𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐨 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐆. 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚 – Competition

Continue reading on our website: https://syciplaw.com/lexology-index-southeast-asia-guide-2026-recognizes-13-syciplaw-lawyers/

Global Arbitration Review (GAR) has released the 2026 edition of Know How: Construction Arbitration. The Philippine chap...
20/07/2026

Global Arbitration Review (GAR) has released the 2026 edition of Know How: Construction Arbitration. The Philippine chapter was authored by 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐨 𝐌𝐚. 𝐏.𝐆. 𝐎𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐢𝐤𝐨, Senior Partner and Head of the Litigation and Arbitration Department, Partners 𝐌𝐚. 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚 𝐁. 𝐏𝐚𝐳-𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐛𝐚 and 𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐈. 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐚 𝐈𝐕, and Senior Associate 𝐑𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐡 𝐒. 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐚, with contributions from Associates 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐳𝐨 𝐂. 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐞, 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐎𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐓. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥, and 𝐉𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐊. 𝐔𝐲.

The chapter presents an overview of the legal and regulatory framework for construction in the Philippines. It examines key aspects of contracts and arbitral proceedings, including contract formation, governing law, arbitral seat selection, and the appointment of arbitrators. The chapter also addresses common issues in construction disputes, such as delays and disruption, suspension and termination, and project completion. In addition, it discusses the enforcement of arbitral awards and the respective roles of Philippine courts and arbitral tribunals in resolving construction disputes.

Continue reading on our website: https://syciplaw.com/syciplaw-authors-philippine-chapter-of-gar-know-how-construction-arbitration-2026/

The latest edition of our Banking Bulletin is out now!The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ( ) recently issued Memorandum No....
16/07/2026

The latest edition of our Banking Bulletin is out now!

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ( ) recently issued Memorandum No. M-2026-025 and BSP Circular No. 1238, lifting the moratorium on increases in InstaPay and PESONet transaction fees and introducing amendments to ensure payment charges are fair, transparent, and aligned with the cost of delivery of operations.

The reforms seek to promote responsible market practices and advance the BSP’s digital finance and financial inclusion objectives, while maintaining strong safeguards for regulatory oversight and consumer protection.

Continue reading on our website: https://syciplaw.com/bsp-circular-no-1238-fairer-fees-and-stronger-safeguards-in-digital-payments/

At present, the Philippines faces critical transmission infrastructure backlogs that delay the integration and commercia...
15/07/2026

At present, the Philippines faces critical transmission infrastructure backlogs that delay the integration and commercial operation of new power projects. While generation companies may construct dedicated point-to-point transmission facilities with the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission, this narrow exception has not addressed broader grid capacity and infrastructure constraints.

To help meet the country's energy transition and economic growth objectives, regulators have introduced measures to liberalize the financing and construction of critical grid infrastructure.

Learn more about these developments in the latest edition of our Special Projects Bulletin: https://syciplaw.com/fast-tracking-grid-connectivity-through-third-party-development-and-construction-of-transmission-facilities/

SyCipLaw has contributed the Philippine chapter to the latest edition of the Chambers Corporate Immigration Global Pract...
14/07/2026

SyCipLaw has contributed the Philippine chapter to the latest edition of the Chambers Corporate Immigration Global Practice Guide. The chapter was authored by Senior Partner and Head of the Employment and Immigration Department 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐂. 𝐃𝐲, and Senior Partner 𝐑𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐁. 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞.

The chapter offers a comprehensive overview of Philippine policies, covering visa categories and requirements, immigration processes and enforcement, and rules governing accompanying family members.

Read the Philippine chapter here: https://practiceguides.chambers.com/practice-guides/corporate-immigration-2026/philippines

For more of SyCipLaw's publications, visit: https://syciplaw.com/resources/publications/

Following a series of public consultations, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued SEC Memorandum Circu...
10/07/2026

Following a series of public consultations, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued SEC Memorandum Circular No. 20, Series of 2026, entitled “Guidelines Prescribing Prudential, Disclosure, and Market Conduct Requirements for Financing and Lending Companies and Lifting the Moratorium on Online Lending Platforms” (Circular). The Circular formally lifts the moratorium on the establishment of new Online Lending Platforms (OLPs), effective 1 August 2026, after almost five years.

The Circular establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework governing the establishment and operation of OLPs and also confirms the prudential, disclosure, operational, and consumer protection requirements applicable to financing companies (FCs) and lending companies (LCs).

Delve into the details in our Banking & Finance and Special Projects Bulletin: https://syciplaw.com/sec-lifts-five-year-moratorium-on-online-lending-platforms-and-issues-new-regulatory-framework/

The latest edition of our Tax Issues and Practical Solutions (T.I.P.S.) provides insights into key tax questions, includ...
10/07/2026

The latest edition of our Tax Issues and Practical Solutions (T.I.P.S.) provides insights into key tax questions, including:

1. Can a local government unit ( ) refuse to accept a taxpayer’s tender of local business payments on the ground that the taxpayer has not yet paid its real property taxes?
2. Does the CTA have jurisdiction over a case challenging an LGU imposition if it is in the nature of a regulatory fee, and not in the nature of a tax?
3. How may a taxpayer avail of fiscal incentives under Section 38 of the Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act or Republic Act No. 12120?
4. How may taxpayers prove that a cross-border service is not subject to income tax?
5. What is the local tax treatment of Registered Business Enterprises enjoying incentives under the Tax Code as amended by the CREATE Act and CREATE MORE Act?

Continue reading on our website: https://syciplaw.com/tax-updates-april-2026-syciplaw-tax-issues-and-practical-solutions-t-i-p-s-vol-44/

SyCipLaw was recognized as the Philippine Firm of the Year as well as the Client Choice Awardee at the Benchmark Litigat...
08/07/2026

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.

In addition, SyCipLaw Senior Partner and Employment and Immigration Department Head 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐂. 𝐃𝐲 was cited among the region’s leading women litigators in Benchmark Litigation’s Asia Pacific Top 100 Women in Litigation 2026 list.

Continue reading on our website: https://syciplaw.com/syciplaw-recognized-at-benchmark-litigation-asia-pacific-awards-2026/

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SyCipLaw Center, 105 Paseo De Roxas
Makati
1229

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Thursday 8am - 6pm
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