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This profile reflects asialaw research. The “(asialaw)” label indicates the source of this content.

Del Rosario & Del Rosario (asialaw)

Philippines (asialaw)

2026_asialaw Outstanding Firm.svg
Quick facts
Contact

Ruben T. Del Rosario

Number of lawyers

30

Number of partners

10

Languages

English, Filipino, Spanish

Key practice areas
Labour and employment (asialaw)
Dispute resolution (asialaw)
Shipping (asialaw)
Firm overview

The Philippine maritime industry is a dynamic and ever-growing business in which DelRosarioLaw has played, and continues to play, a major part. The firm acts for multinational shipping clients on controversies involving labour, personal injury, vessel arrest, collisions, salvage, oil pollution, damage/loss of cargoes, bunker claims, charter party/bill of lading disputes, protection & indemnity (P&I)/hull & machinery (H&M) and freight demurrage & defence (FD&D) work, ship finance, sale and purchase documentation, registrations, management and crewing.

Co-managing partner, Ruben T Del Rosario, former charter president of the Philippine Maritime Voluntary Arbitrators’ Association, is regularly invited to speak at national and international fora on issues related to amendments to the standard terms and conditions of the POEA contract and other matters relating to Filipino crew claims.

DelRosarioLaw’s labour practice acts on a full range of matters involving Filipino seafarers’ claims and industrial relations disputes. With Filipinos making up over 25% of all seafarers worldwide, labour claims and suits for death, disability, illness, illegal dismissal and other related claims make up a large part of our practice.

DelRosarioLaw represents, among others, the International Group of P&I Clubs, as well as insurance companies and cruise lines.

In response to the growing needs of the clients, Del Rosario Pandiphil, the firm’s paralegal affiliate, handles all seafarers’ medical claims. Del Rosario Pandiphil is also now the Philippine network partner of the Through Transport Club, the largest club for ship, terminal, and depot operators, container lessors, and freight forwarders, and is a member of, and insured with, the ITIC Club.

The firm continues to evolve

The firm’s corporate practice has grown substantially in recent years to accommodate increased business and the outsourcing activities of its clients in the Philippines. These business activities include direct foreign investments, company formations such as RO/ROHQ, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and general corporate work.

The firm’s tax and immigration practices have likewise grown to support the growing corporate clientele, to ensure their compliance with the ever developing local regulatory environment.

Major international law firms regularly refer cases to DelRosarioLaw, trusting them to ably handle their representation in the Philippines. The litigation and dispute resolution practice of the firm continually expands to various fields of law to cope with the ever expanding business concerns of its clients.

In recent years there has been a large increase in matters pertaining to intellectual property. The firm’s IP clients include international giants Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Sony.

Co-managing partner Arturo T del Rosario Jr, besides specialising in maritime law, also holds the position of president of the International Property Association of the Philippines and spearheads DelRosarioLaw‘s work covering trademark and patent applications and disputes.

Practice areas & sector specialisations
  • Labour & personal injury
  • Litigation and dispute resolution
  • Corporate and commercial
  • Shipping and admiralty
  • Intellectual property
  • Cargo claims and charter party
  • Transport
  • Insurance and reinsurance
  • Arbitration and ADR
  • Immigration
Address:
DelRosarioLaw Centre, 14th Floor
21st Drive Corner 20th Drive
Manila Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro
Philippines
Tel:+63 2 5317 7888 / +63 2 8810 1791 Fax:+63 2 5317 7890 Email:Contact Us Web Address:http://www.delrosariolaw.com/
2026 Edition
Dispute resolution (asialaw)
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Industry Sector: Shipping (asialaw)
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Esguerra & Blanco (asialaw)
1 practice area
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Intellectual property (asialaw)
22 firms ranked
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Outstanding

ACCRALAW (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View full profile
Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia (asialaw)
12 practice areas
View profile
Quisumbing Torres (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View profile
SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View full profile

Recommended

Del Rosario & Del Rosario (asialaw)
3 practice areas
View full profile
Esguerra & Blanco (asialaw)
1 practice area
View profile
Federis & Associates (asialaw)
1 practice area
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Poblador Bautista & Reyes (asialaw)
7 practice areas
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Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra (asialaw)
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Ortega Bacorro Odulio Calma & Carbonell (asialaw)
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de Guzman Mayuga (asialaw)
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Labour and employment (asialaw)
21 firms ranked
View full list

Outstanding

ACCRALAW (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View full profile
Quisumbing Torres (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View profile
SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View full profile

Recommended

Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia (asialaw)
12 practice areas
View profile
Del Rosario & Del Rosario (asialaw)
3 practice areas
View full profile
Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View profile
Poblador Bautista & Reyes (asialaw)
7 practice areas
View full profile
Tolosa Javier Lim & Chua Law Firm (asialaw)
3 practice areas
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Villaraza & Angangco (asialaw)
15 practice areas
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Notable

Disini Law Offices (asialaw)
9 practice areas
View full profile
DivinaLaw (asialaw)
2 practice areas
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Gulapa Law (asialaw)
16 practice areas
View full profile
Puyat Jacinto & Santos (PJS Law) (asialaw)
10 practice areas
View profile
Overview
Shipping boutique Del Rosario & Del Rosario is regularly sought out by international protection and indemnity (P&I) clubs as well as insurance companies and cruise lines. The firm has expertise in all aspects of shipping matters including labour, personal injury, vessel arrest, collisions, salvage, oil pollution, damage of cargoes, bunker claims, protection and indemnity, and ship finance. Its well-regarded IP group has also been engaged by global giants such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Sony. Recently, the firm has been expanding to handle matters of corporate and M&A, labour and employment, dispute resolution, and more. Key partners include Ruben Del Rosario, Arturo Del Rosario Jr, Charles Jay Dela Cruz, Joseph Manolo Rebano and Herbert Tria.

Client feedback

"They are very responsive and give clear legal advice." – Insurance

"Del Rosario & Del Rosario provides proper, to-the-point legal advice as well as various options and recommendations." – Labour and employment

"A key strength of the firm is its proactive and solution-oriented approach. The team consistently demonstrates a can-do attitude, serving as a valuable practical guide in navigating the business environment in the Philippines. While individual partners maintain responsibility for their respective matters, there is clear collaboration across the firm — cases are openly discussed and well-coordinated, ensuring that advice is both comprehensive and aligned. Senior partners are also highly accessible and actively engaged; during meetings on shipping court matters, senior partners Arturo del Rosario and Charles Dela Cruz have contributed valuable insights and leveraged their professional networks to support case strategy. Additionally, the firm fosters strong client relationships by organising industry-focused gatherings, which provide opportunities for clients within the same sector to connect and exchange perspectives." – Labour and employment

"The firm is very responsive — I can ask a question during my working day and anticipate a response overnight. The firm knows their way around arbitration and seafarer claims." – Shipping

"All work requirements are well coordinated and updated with timeliness." – Shipping

Florencio Aquino

"He consistently demonstrates a proactive, can-do attitude and maintains a high level of accessibility, remaining available on a 24/7 basis. He is responsive to urgent matters and ensures that issues are directed to the appropriate partner, facilitating efficient and effective handling."

Saben Loyola

"Knowledgeable. Listens."

Catherine Mangahas

"Catherine is very responsive and always gives clear advice."

Herbert Tria

"Quick responses and direct legal advice."

"Herbert is incredibly responsive and provides detailed analysis of any issue we send him."
Linked Reviews
Labour and employment (asialaw)
Work highlights

Advising Columbia Shipmanagement following the arrest of four Filipino seafarers in Brazil in connection with the seizure of one ton of cocaine, with the crew subsequently charged with international drug trafficking. The firm coordinated notifications to the relevant Philippine government authorities, advised on managing the crew's employment, and worked closely with local Brazilian counsel and diplomatic channels to navigate the situation. The case highlights a significant gap in Philippine regulations, which offer no clear framework for shipowners and manning agencies when crew members are detained abroad for criminal acts of their own making, yet employers remain exposed to sanctions if perceived to have abandoned their responsibilities to the accused.
Shipping (asialaw)
Work highlights

Advising SMC Shipping and Lighterage and its insurer Steamship Mutual following the grounding of the KATAPATAN 2 in October 2024, which resulted in the dispersal of 11,000 metric tons of coal within a protected marine area in Zambales, Philippines. Local government officials and environmental regulators demanded compensation, with total claim exposure exceeding $100 million. The firm led negotiations with affected fishing communities, local authorities, and regulators, and through strategic intervention has already succeeded in significantly reducing the claim exposure to more reasonable levels - all while managing the broader environmental and reputational sensitivities of the matter.
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