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Outstanding
Highly recommended
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Outstanding
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Outstanding
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
Recommended
Notable
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
Recommended
Notable
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
Recommended
Notable
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
Recommended
Notable
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
Recommended
Notable
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Outstanding
Recommended
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
Recommended
Notable
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
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Notable
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
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Tier 1
Tier 2
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
Recommended
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Client feedback
"The firm is arguably one of the most competent and pragmatic legal advisers that can be engaged. They give advice that is aligned to corporate objectives while managing the potential risks and exposures that may be encountered when dealing with innovative legal solutions, which is the key differentiator between one firm and another." – Dispute resolution
"They provide accurate and timely advice." – Intellectual property
"Immediate feedback." – Labour and employment
"The firm provides quick and practical advice on matters affecting our industry." – Labour and employment
Erwin Filio
"Immediate feedback."
Victor Leon
"He accurately understands our situation and needs and provides prompt and appropriate advice."
Emiterio Manibog
"Very responsive and provides practical advice."
Enrique Nitura
"He is a ruthless litigator but to clients has excellent client management skills and a pleasant personality. He is invested in his cases and is a true advocate — he relishes and celebrates victories with clients and mourns defeats with us as well."
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."
Formerly known as Zambrano Gruba Caganda and Advincula, Gruba Caganda Advincula Melo & de la Fuente is a full-service law firm representing a wide array of local and foreign clients in the Philippines. The firm is highly regarded for its tax practice, which includes both contentious and advisory work. The firm is also active in the banking and finance and corporate and M&A areas. Since its inception in 1993, the firm has continued to grow and has a respectable track record of servicing its clients, handling many landmark cases in the banking and financial services, aviation and real estate sectors. Lily Gruba, Jorge Alfonso C. Melo and Antero Jose Caganda are among the key contacts.
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."
Client feedback
"SyCipLaw is very solutions-oriented. Their legal expertise is already a given, but what truly makes them stand out is their ability to provide advice that achieves a client's goal." – Competition/antitrust
"Provider of excellent legal advice grounded in practical realities. Partners are very experienced and reliable in providing honest assessments on difficult issues." – Corporate and M&A
"Responds in reasonable time, giving options and recommendations based on best practices." – Corporate and M&A
"The SyCip team provided necessary inputs for the lenders to be able to decide on certain issues. Their due diligence report was detailed and helpful to the lenders." – Energy
"Very patient. Very thorough." – Intellectual property
"We felt that SyCip is responsive and authentically engaged in protecting their client's interests. Their in-depth analysis of different issues integrates both the best interest of the client but also makes place for the client's culture, sensitivities and managerial discretion." – Labour and employment
"Responsive and able to provide legal advice from a practical perspective." – Labour and employment
"Faster turnaround time and professional handling compared to other law firms of similar size, able to conduct meetings virtually, and provides billing reductions in consideration of the length of the relationship and work referred." – Labour and employment
"They are very organised, diligent and their knowledge of the matter is remarkable." – Tax
"Precision-driven, proactive and clear solutions." – Tax
Leslie Dy
"Fantastic listening skills, empathy and client-orientation."
Vicente IV Gerochi
"Atty Teng manages his team so well that he would respond on behalf of the team on matters that are very important and urgent."
"He is proactive in providing guidance and advice on issues to be tackled."
Arlene Maneja
"Arlene is not just a legal expert — she provides practical, business-centric advice. She is undoubtedly one of the best lawyers in the country today."
Mark Kevin Dellosa
"Responsive and able to provide legal advice from a practical perspective. Very courteous and polite when handling clients."
Mark Xavier Oyales
"Very patient in explaining complex matters."
Maria Patricia Paz Jacoba
"Sharp. Quick. Correct."
Russel Rodriguez
"Professional, courteous, knowledgeable and reasonable. Able to assuage management concerns and responds to urgent matters."
James Patrick Urquiola
"Gives feedback extensively explaining the response and what next steps to take."
Philbert Varona
"Very experienced and practical. Exudes quiet confidence."