Received her Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1995 where she graduated in the top 15 of her class. She received her Bachelor of Science (Legal Management) degree with honors from the same University in 1991. Formerly an associate lawyer with Quisumbing Torres (Baker & McKenzie), she was a member of the Editorial Board of the Ateneo Law Journal. She was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1996.

• Currently serves as corporate secretary and general counsel for Philippine corporations and is a fellow of the Institute of Corporate Directors.

• Handles legal requirements for the establishment of local business presence with the necessary corporate structures that addresses the investors’, shareholders’ and lenders’ requirements.  Incorporated services include accreditation for incentives under PEZA and EO 226, approvals for establishment of Regional Headquarters and contract documentation.

• Extensive experience in corporate structuring, due diligence and contract drafting related to acquisitions, joint ventures and mergers.

• Acting as counsel to several project companies.  Stakeholders include equity funding from local shareholders and business entities, government owned and controlled corporations and international funding institutions.  Areas of concerns involve the energy industry from development and operation of cogeneration power plants using biomass fuels, production facilities for ethanol and the exploration of natural resources inclusive of coal, crude oil and natural gas.  Work involves legal advice through the phases of developmental, financing and commercial operations of the project companies, including processing of government approvals and clearances.

• Oversee projects involving the review of government contracts, from the sell or buy side, and the participation in the provision of products or services under a public bidding requirements.

• Oversee projects involving government Service Contracts for offshore development, ranging from single area to multiple blocks and sub-areas.  Areas of concern includes reconciliation of records of the prior years’ transfers of participation interests, allotment of historical cost recovery accounts, advice on petroleum exploration and production issues, coordination with the Department of Energy (Department) in relation to rights and obligations, and transfers thereof, of the party contractor under the Service Contract.

• Oversee in the legal review, drafting and interpretation of industry contracts, including but not limited to Service Contracts, Farm-in Agreements, Facility Agreements in relation to the financing components of exploration and production, Gas Sale and Purchase Agreements and Terms of Reference, and advice on the exploration, production, corporate and fiscal issues relating to Service Contract operations.

• Served as local counsel to PSALM Corporation for the privatization of the assets of National Power Corporation (NPC) that is estimated to generate privatization proceeds of US$ 4-6 billion. Work involved review and negotiations of power purchase agreements (PPA) and discussions with independent power producers (IPP), including negotiations and consultations with local and foreign counsels.

• Served as legal counsel in structuring and packaging government assets for privatization that dealt with issues on franchise for the transportation and delivery of natural gas, parameters and interpretation of service contract provisions, and revisiting of procedural requirements of relevant agencies.

• Acted as legal advisor to the Philippine Department of Energy in the establishment of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) including the promotion of the institution to the industry participants.

• Acted as legal advisor to the Philippine Department of Energy for projects covered by World Bank and International Finance Corporation grants.

• Assisted in the development and implementation of Private Sector Participation (PSP) program for rural electrification. Work involved preparation of the bidding procedure and documents; coordination with regulatory authorities in the formulation of regulatory framework and policies; attending public hearings and consultations; conducting of information dissemination and public awareness campaigns; coordination with government agencies regarding compliance with public bidding procedures, government auditing standards and other appropriate laws and regulations; briefings and consultations with potential investors.

• Participated as legal advisor in the Rural Electrification System Loss Reduction Project-Investment Management Contracts. Work included review of all local laws related to electric cooperatives, liaison with pertinent government agencies, such as the Department of Energy, the National Electrification Administration, and the Cooperative Development Authority, legal advice on the proposed bidding process for the competitive selection of the investor or contractor under the Investment Management Contract, and drafting of bidding documents.

• Continue to act as resource person to the Government of the Philippines (GOP) in relation to the assessment by the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERs)of the performance and reform efforts of the GOP for the inclusion of the Philippines in CalPERS’ Emerging Markets Investments List.