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

Quick facts
Contact

Aris L. Gulapa

Languages

English, Filipino, Japanese, Hokkien, Spanish

Number of partners

5

Number of lawyers

21

Key practice areas
Intellectual property (asialaw)
Corporate and M&A (asialaw)
Dispute resolution (asialaw)
Labour and employment (asialaw)
Energy (asialaw)
Infrastructure (asialaw)
Real estate (asialaw)
M&A (asialaw)
Banking (asialaw)
Construction (asialaw)
Banking and finance (asialaw)
Competition/antitrust (asialaw)
Industry Sector: Technology and telecommunications (asialaw)
Industry Sector: Energy (asialaw)
Industry Sector: Infrastructure (asialaw)
Industry Sector: Banking and financial services (asialaw)
Firm overview

After practicing in Manila, Singapore, Vietnam, Tokyo, and New York for 12 years, Aris Gulapa set up Gulapa Law in 2015. Since 2017, the firm admitted four new partners.

Gulapa Law is the first Philippine firm to set up an office in New York (2017), and in San Francisco (2018). It also established an office in Cebu in 2020.

Practice areas & sector specialisations
  • Infrastructure & construction
  • Projects & energy
  • Real estate
  • Government contracts
  • Corporate/M&A
  • Innovation & competition
  • I-tech & intellectual property
  • Human resources & immigration
  • Data privacy
  • Fashion
  • Entertainment & media
  • ASEAN trade
  • Dispute resolution
  • International law
Address:
Unit 12A, 12th Floor Marco Polo Ortigas
Sapphire Road, Ortigas Center
Pasig City
1605
Philippines
Tel:+63 2 960 2845 - 47 Fax:+63 2 857 2240 Email:Contact Us Web Address:http://www.gulapalaw.com/
2026 Edition
Banking - in collaboration with IFLR (asialaw)
18 firms ranked
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Tier 1

Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos (asialaw)
3 practice areas
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SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (asialaw)
15 practice areas
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Tier 2

Puyat Jacinto & Santos (PJS Law) (asialaw)
10 practice areas
View profile

Tier 3

Abuda Asis & Associates (asialaw)
5 practice areas
View profile
Gruba Caganda Advincula Melo & de la Fuente (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View full profile
PunoLaw (asialaw)
7 practice areas
View profile
Quisumbing Torres (asialaw)
8 practice areas
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Villaraza & Angangco (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View profile

Tier 4

Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra (asialaw)
8 practice areas
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Gulapa Law (asialaw)
16 practice areas
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Serrano Law (asialaw)
8 practice areas
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Notable

Sarmiento Loriega Law Office (asialaw)
9 practice areas
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Competition/antitrust (asialaw)
12 firms ranked
View full list

Outstanding

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View full profile

Highly recommended

Recommended

ACCRALAW (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View full profile
Gulapa Law (asialaw)
16 practice areas
View full profile
Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos (asialaw)
3 practice areas
View profile
Puyat Jacinto & Santos (PJS Law) (asialaw)
10 practice areas
View profile
Quisumbing Torres (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View profile
Villaraza & Angangco (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View profile

Notable

Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia (asialaw)
12 practice areas
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Tayag Ngochua & Chu (asialaw)
2 practice areas
View full profile
Construction (asialaw)
14 firms ranked
View full list

Outstanding

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View full profile

Highly recommended

ACCRALAW (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View full profile
Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia (asialaw)
12 practice areas
View profile
Gulapa Law (asialaw)
16 practice areas
View full profile
Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos (asialaw)
3 practice areas
View profile
PunoLaw (asialaw)
7 practice areas
View profile
Puyat Jacinto & Santos (PJS Law) (asialaw)
10 practice areas
View profile

Recommended

Villaraza & Angangco (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View profile

Notable

Poblador Bautista & Reyes (asialaw)
7 practice areas
View full profile
Quisumbing Torres (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View profile
Sarmiento Loriega Law Office (asialaw)
9 practice areas
View profile
Dispute resolution (asialaw)
25 firms ranked
View full list

Outstanding

ACCRALAW (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View full profile
Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia (asialaw)
12 practice areas
View profile
Poblador Bautista & Reyes (asialaw)
7 practice areas
View full profile
SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View full profile
Villaraza & Angangco (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View profile

Highly recommended

Quisumbing Torres (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View profile

Recommended

DivinaLaw (asialaw)
2 practice areas
View profile
Esguerra & Blanco (asialaw)
1 practice area
View profile
Puyat Jacinto & Santos (PJS Law) (asialaw)
10 practice areas
View profile
Tolosa Javier Lim & Chua Law Firm (asialaw)
3 practice areas
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Notable

Del Rosario & Del Rosario (asialaw)
3 practice areas
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Disini Law Offices (asialaw)
9 practice areas
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Fortun Narvasa & Salazar (asialaw)
2 practice areas
View profile
Gruba Caganda Advincula Melo & de la Fuente (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View full profile
Gulapa Law (asialaw)
16 practice areas
View full profile
Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos (asialaw)
3 practice areas
View profile
PunoLaw (asialaw)
7 practice areas
View profile
Sy & Partner (asialaw)
2 practice areas
View profile
Industry Sector: Banking and financial services (asialaw)
15 firms ranked
View full list

Outstanding

ACCRALAW (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View full profile
Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos (asialaw)
3 practice areas
View profile
SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View full profile

Highly recommended

Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia (asialaw)
12 practice areas
View profile
Villaraza & Angangco (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View profile

Recommended

Abuda Asis & Associates (asialaw)
5 practice areas
View profile
PunoLaw (asialaw)
7 practice areas
View profile
Puyat Jacinto & Santos (PJS Law) (asialaw)
10 practice areas
View profile

Notable

DivinaLaw (asialaw)
2 practice areas
View profile
Gulapa Law (asialaw)
16 practice areas
View full profile
Quisumbing Torres (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View profile
Industry Sector: Energy (asialaw)
18 firms ranked
View full list

Outstanding

Puyat Jacinto & Santos (PJS Law) (asialaw)
10 practice areas
View profile
SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View full profile

Highly recommended

Gulapa Law (asialaw)
16 practice areas
View full profile
Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos (asialaw)
3 practice areas
View profile
Quisumbing Torres (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View profile

Recommended

ACCRALAW (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View full profile
Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia (asialaw)
12 practice areas
View profile
PunoLaw (asialaw)
7 practice areas
View profile
Villaraza & Angangco (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View profile

Notable

Abuda Asis & Associates (asialaw)
5 practice areas
View profile
Fortun Narvasa & Salazar (asialaw)
2 practice areas
View profile
Insights Philippines Legal Advisors (asialaw)
2 practice areas
View profile
Sarmiento Loriega Law Office (asialaw)
9 practice areas
View profile
Tolosa Javier Lim & Chua Law Firm (asialaw)
3 practice areas
View profile
Industry Sector: Infrastructure (asialaw)
15 firms ranked
View full list

Outstanding

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View full profile

Highly recommended

Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia (asialaw)
12 practice areas
View profile
Gulapa Law (asialaw)
16 practice areas
View full profile
Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos (asialaw)
3 practice areas
View profile
Puyat Jacinto & Santos (PJS Law) (asialaw)
10 practice areas
View profile

Recommended

ACCRALAW (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View full profile
Abuda Asis & Associates (asialaw)
5 practice areas
View profile
PunoLaw (asialaw)
7 practice areas
View profile
Quisumbing Torres (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View profile
Villaraza & Angangco (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View profile

Notable

Goricetta Africa Cauton & Saavedra (asialaw)
1 practice area
View profile
Poblador Bautista & Reyes (asialaw)
7 practice areas
View full profile
Industry Sector: Real estate (asialaw)
13 firms ranked
View full list

Outstanding

Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos (asialaw)
3 practice areas
View profile
SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View full profile

Highly recommended

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

Recommended

Gulapa Law (asialaw)
16 practice areas
View full profile
PunoLaw (asialaw)
7 practice areas
View profile
Puyat Jacinto & Santos (PJS Law) (asialaw)
10 practice areas
View profile
Villaraza & Angangco (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View profile

Notable

Industry Sector: Technology and telecommunications (asialaw)
14 firms ranked
View full list

Outstanding

Disini Law Offices (asialaw)
9 practice areas
View full profile
SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View full profile

Highly recommended

ACCRALAW (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View full profile
Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View profile
Quisumbing Torres (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View profile
Villaraza & Angangco (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View profile

Recommended

Notable

Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia (asialaw)
12 practice areas
View profile
Gulapa Law (asialaw)
16 practice areas
View full profile
Poblador Bautista & Reyes (asialaw)
7 practice areas
View full profile
Puyat Jacinto & Santos (PJS Law) (asialaw)
10 practice areas
View profile
Intellectual property (asialaw)
22 firms ranked
View full list

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
View profile
Poblador Bautista & Reyes (asialaw)
7 practice areas
View full profile

Notable

Disini Law Offices (asialaw)
9 practice areas
View full profile
Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View profile
Gulapa Law (asialaw)
16 practice areas
View full profile
Ortega Bacorro Odulio Calma & Carbonell (asialaw)
2 practice areas
View full profile
de Guzman Mayuga (asialaw)
1 practice area
View profile
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
View profile
Villaraza & Angangco (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View profile

Notable

Disini Law Offices (asialaw)
9 practice areas
View full profile
DivinaLaw (asialaw)
2 practice areas
View profile
Gulapa Law (asialaw)
16 practice areas
View full profile
Puyat Jacinto & Santos (PJS Law) (asialaw)
10 practice areas
View profile
M&A - in collaboration with IFLR (asialaw)
24 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos (asialaw)
3 practice areas
View profile
SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View full profile
Villaraza & Angangco (asialaw)
15 practice areas
View profile

Tier 2

PunoLaw (asialaw)
7 practice areas
View profile
Puyat Jacinto & Santos (PJS Law) (asialaw)
10 practice areas
View profile
Quisumbing Torres (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View profile

Tier 3

Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia (asialaw)
12 practice areas
View profile
Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View profile
Gulapa Law (asialaw)
16 practice areas
View full profile
Serrano Law (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View profile

Tier 4

Abuda Asis & Associates (asialaw)
5 practice areas
View profile
Meer Meer & Meer (asialaw)
1 practice area
View profile
Sarmiento Loriega Law Office (asialaw)
9 practice areas
View profile
Tayag Ngochua & Chu (asialaw)
2 practice areas
View full profile

Notable

Disini Law Offices (asialaw)
9 practice areas
View full profile
Gruba Caganda Advincula Melo & de la Fuente (asialaw)
8 practice areas
View full profile
MOSVELDTT Law (asialaw)
1 practice area
View profile
Sy & Partner (asialaw)
2 practice areas
View profile
Overview
Established in 2015, boutique law firm Gulapa Law is recognised for its expertise in construction, energy and infrastructure. Its market-leading infrastructure group continues to advise both the government and private bidders in various public-private partnership (PPP) projects and has a stellar track record in advising on major flagship infrastructure projects. In addition, the firm also provides expert legal advice in the areas of corporate and M&A, banking and finance, competition/antitrust, intellectual property, dispute resolution and more. With eight partners and 40 legal professionals, Gulapa Law continues to expand by servicing more international clients. Infrastructure specialist Aris Gulapa is the main contact.

Client feedback

"As always, Gulapa Law is very client-focused — looking out for the client's interests while helping the client achieve its goals." – Energy

"Extremely competent, very pleasant to work with — not arrogant like some law firms — and very professional." – Infrastructure

"Deep grasp of relevant laws supported by thorough research." – Insurance

"Gulapa Law's positive attributes are reflected not only in the quality of its legal work but also in the results it has achieved over the years. The firm is led by Atty. Aris L. Gulapa, whose leadership and expertise have been instrumental in guiding both the firm's work and the rehabilitation efforts of Philphos. The firm's lawyers are highly reliable, diligent, and responsive, consistently providing well-researched and thoughtful advice, particularly on matters involving corporate rehabilitation, insolvency, and the various areas of law that intersect with rehabilitation proceedings. Their recommendations are not only legally sound but also mindful of the practical and commercial realities facing a company under rehabilitation. Gulapa Law has likewise played a significant role in the pursuit of Philphos' insurance claims — notably, through the efforts of the Rehabilitation Receiver, the firm successfully secured a favourable ruling from the Supreme Court affirming the Rehabilitation Court's order compelling Philphos' insurers to proceed to arbitration, an outcome that supported the company's efforts to recover substantial insurance proceeds to preserve assets and further its rehabilitation." – Restructuring and insolvency

Aris Gulapa

"You always want Aris on your side — he is not just a legal expert, more importantly, he is always dependable."

"He is the embodiment of his firm for competence, professionalism and being easy to deal with. He has never failed me in all the work we have done together and has not embarrassed me when I recommend him."
"Very competent, approachable, dependable."

"What stands out is his ability to explain complex issues in a clear and practical manner while maintaining a comprehensive view of the rehabilitation process. He has a deep understanding of the legal, financial, and operational considerations affecting the company and is able to evaluate issues within the broader context of the rehabilitation. As Rehabilitation Receiver, Atty. Gulapa is also able to balance the interests of the various stakeholders involved in the proceedings — while remaining focused on the objectives of rehabilitation, he is mindful of the interests of creditors, employees, and other stakeholders, as well as the broader impact of the company's continued operations. Given Philphos' role as a major fertiliser manufacturer, the company's rehabilitation extends beyond the interests of any single stakeholder and has implications for the communities it serves and the industries that depend on its continued operations. Atty. Gulapa has consistently demonstrated an appreciation of these considerations in the discharge of his duties as Receiver."
Linked Reviews
Competition/antitrust (asialaw)
Work highlights

Advising Aboitiz Renewables, Electric Power Development, and Sumitomo on the establishment of a special purpose vehicle to hold water rights over the Caliraya Botocan Kalaayan Hydroelectric Power Plant, the largest hydroelectric power plant in the Philippines, valued at approximately PHP 32 billion. The transaction involved restructuring Sumitomo's participation in Cleanergy 9, the entity that won the privatisation bid for the plant, in a manner that achieves the clients' commercial objectives while ensuring compliance with the Philippines' Anti-Dummy Law. The deal reflects the complexity of structuring foreign participation in strategically significant Philippine energy infrastructure within the constraints of applicable ownership regulations.
Construction (asialaw)
Work highlights

Advising the Thunder Consortium - comprising Aboitiz Renewables, Electric Power Development, and Sumitomo - in connection with the acquisition and rehabilitation of the Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan Hydroelectric Power Plant Complex in Laguna, the largest hydroelectric power plant owned by the Philippine government, valued at approximately PHP 36 billion. The firm assisted the consortium through the bidding process and conducted legal due diligence on the acquisition, assessing the legal and contractual framework governing the rehabilitation and potential upgrade of the aging facility. The matter required a careful, risk-adjusted approach to capital expenditure and project structuring given the complexity of the asset and limited technical visibility - ultimately enabling the consortium to submit a competitive bid in one of the most significant government privatisation exercises in the Philippine energy sector in recent years.
Corporate and M&A (asialaw)
Work highlights

Acting as local counsel to Skye Renewables in connection with its investment in Kairos Renewables through a Series B financing round, and the concurrent establishment of a Singapore joint venture company in which Skye holds a 51% majority stake. The firm conducted legal due diligence on the Philippine subsidiary of Kairos Renewables, navigating the challenges posed by the limited availability of centralised public records in the Philippines to deliver a focused risk assessment on share ownership, capitalisation, and regulatory compliance. The transaction supports the development of a scalable regional renewable energy platform and reflects the cross-border structuring complexities that are characteristic of emerging market transactions in the sector.
Dispute resolution (asialaw)
Work highlights

Representing Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines in a criminal complaint against a former Human Resources Operations Associate who manipulated and falsified payroll documents to include non-existent and resigned individuals, resulting in significant monetary losses to the company. The matter is notable as the scheme was carried out single-handedly by the former employee, and the successful prosecution of the case is expected to serve as a meaningful deterrent against similar internal fraud in the future.
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