PHILIPPINES: Open Horizons

BY Nimitt Dixit |

The increased liberalisation of markets in the Philippines is driving more international business and law firms to its shores, as the legal market prepares for increased billing, growing in-house capabilities and a talent war.

MHM becomes 2nd large Japan firm to enter into Philippines alliance

BY Mari Iwata |

Leading Japanese law firm Mori Hamada & Matsumoto has expanded its presence to the Philippines after announcing a strategic alliance with local firm Tayag Ngochua & Chu in Manila.

CC, Romulo, Shearman, V&A guide $3.9 bln Philippine network financing

BY Mari Iwata |

Clifford Chance and Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles have advised the lenders on the $3.9 billion financing of Dito Telecommunity’s 4G and 5G telecommunications network in the Philippines, with Shearman and Sterling and Villaraza & Angangco advising Dito.

Slaughters, Skadden guide $1.8 bln acquisition of Coke Philippines

BY Mari Iwata |

Slaughter and May, Villaraza & Angangco, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan have advised the buyers on a $1.8 billion acquisition of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines (CCBPI) from Coca-Cola.

Latham, Skadden lead on J&T Global Express’ $501 mln HK IPO

BY Nimitt Dixit |

U.S. law firm Latham & Watkins and the PRC’s DaHui Lawyers have advised Asian courier service group J&T Global Express on its $501 million initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX),  the second-largest listing on the bourse this year.

KPMG Law grows ASEAN presence with Philippine association

BY Mari Iwata |

KPMG Law has expanded its ASEAN network to the Philippines after entering into an association with the newly launched firm Inicio Law.

Pinsents, PJS advise ADB on $3 bln Manila airport upgrade

BY Mari Iwata |

Pinsent Masons MPillay and PJS Law have advised the Asian Development Bank in its role supporting the Philippines Department of Transportation (DOTr) on the 170.6-billion-peso ($3 billion) refurbishment and expansion of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.

BRIEFS: Malaysia Secures Key Arbitration Win in Rebuke To Alleged Sulu Heirs

BY Sarah Wong |

In July, a court in France issued a verdict that was hailed by the Malaysian government as a “decisive victory” in its decades-long dispute with a group of alleged Filipino heirs of a 19th-century sultanate over claims to Malaysian state assets overseas.

Nishimura enters into association with Philippines’ Sy & Partners

BY Mari Iwata |

Japan’s largest law firm, Nishimura & Asahi, has entered into an association with Sy & Partners in the Philippines in order to closely support Japanese clients making investments in the Southeast Asian country.

EXPLAINER: Can the Philippines' most recent liberalisation push revive FDI?

BY Sarah Wong |

In a bid to revitalise its economy by boosting market competition, the Philippines has taken a major step towards granting full foreign ownership in certain public infrastructure sectors, including airports, railways, expressways, and telecommunications.

IP firm Spruson opens 10th office in Manila

BY Mari Iwata |

Australian IP law firm Spruson & Ferguson has opened an office in Manila, its 10th, to better tap into the rising demand from the evolving IP market in Asia.

Philippines’ DivinaLaw nabs 2 senior energy partners from Puno & Puno

BY Mari Iwata |

Philippine law firm DivinaLaw has recruited energy specialists Jose M. Layug, Jr. and Richie Avigale Ramos-Pilares as senior partners from Puno & Puno Law Office.