Founded in 2015, Gulapa Law is a leading boutique firm with offices in Manila, Cebu, New York, San Francisco and Ho Chi Minh City. Through its affiliations with prestigious organisations like One Asia Legal and IR Global, the firm is highly active and recognised in key practice areas including projects and infrastructure, energy, corporate M&A, construction and real estate, and banking and finance, with a strong focus on public-private partnership (PPP) projects.
Recent examples of the firm’s deal work include advising First Balfour in preparing one of the first unsolicited proposals under the new Philippine PPP Code for a high-capacity bus system in Iloilo City.
The firm also advised Infracorp Development on its unsolicited proposal for the Fort Bonifacio-Makati Skytrain – a complex 1.87km cable-propelled transit system designed to alleviate severe congestion between Guadalupe station and uptown Bonifacio.
In restructuring, the firm guided Philphos through a US$236 million financial rehabilitation, one of the largest under the new Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency Act (FRIA). This highly complex matter involved negotiations with over 30 creditor law firms and required innovative legal strategies to secure insurance proceeds for the client.
CCL Label Industries Philippines, Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Corporation, Aboitiz Solar Power, ACEN Corporation, MetPower Venture Partners Holdings, Ayala Land, and Asian Development Bank.
“Promptness in providing feedback. Flexibility in making our positions work.”
“The team is very responsive and knowledgeable about the specific areas we are working on.”
“The team showed strong expertise in Philippine regulatory and land law. Their analysis was clear and practical, and they were responsive throughout the due diligence process. We appreciated their ability to identify key risks and provide actionable recommendations.”
“They are expert in government contracts.”
“They have a deep understanding of the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law and the Philippine public-private partnership (PPP) process.”
Restructuring and insolvency
“Their team demonstrates deep expertise in the Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency Act (FRIA), its implementing rules, and their interplay with other laws. This mastery is evident in their high-quality pleadings, which are always thoroughly researched, legally sound, and strategically precise.”
“Aris is fantastic! One of the Philippines' best PPP lawyers.”
“Finds support for the positions that we want to further.”
“He consistently protects the best interests of the company. He knows the rehabilitation case thoroughly, including the various claims involved. In court, he comes well-prepared, not only with strong legal expertise but with a deep understanding of financial rehabilitation laws and procedures. He is also very familiar with the company’s status and the overall rehabilitation proceedings, both before the Rehabilitation Court and in related cases before other courts.”
“He is the expertise on government contracts.”
“Responsive and attentive to details, works fast, cares about the deal.”
“Dake is highly responsive and provides clear, well-structured legal advice. He demonstrates strong knowledge of local regulations and is able to explain complex issues in a practical and concise way.”
