Erika co-heads the Firm’s Projects and Energy practice group, and heads the Firm’s Restructuring and Insolvency, and Data Privacy and Security practice groups.
Erika has contributed most valuable work in the Firm’s recent transactions in the field of corporate and project finance. Having been exposed to this field since the start of her practice, she has represented arrangers, lenders, borrowers or project proponents in numerous high-value loan syndications, project financing, and corporate bonds and notes issuances. Recent transactions include acting as counsel to an international tower company in the US$70 million project financing of its tower assets in the Philippines; advising the arrangers and lenders on the grant of a Php7 billion term loan facility in favor of the Widus Group, which own and operate the Widus Hotel and Casino; and acting as counsel to the lead arranger and syndicate of banks for the financing extended to one of the largest water utility company operating in Southern Philippines to fund the modernization of its nationwide water district projects in partnership with local government units. She has been particularly active in the financing of renewable energy projects, acting as counsel to various proponents for their hydropower and solar power projects across the country. She is a Recommended Lawyer and named Next Generation Partner by The Legal500 Asia Pacific in the field of Banking and Finance.
In the field of Real Estate and Construction, Erika handled the real asset portfolio divestment of one of the largest global banks, and advised on the funding of projects to construct hotels, casinos, and residential subdivision developments. She is a Recommended Lawyer and named Next Generation Partner by The Legal500 Asia Pacific in Real Estate & Construction.
Another practice focus is in M&A. Erika has advised on structuring, modes of investment and doing business in the Philippines, and post-acquisition transition/integration matters, involving specialized industries such as banking and financial services, and renewable energy. While acting as internal counsel to a major player in the Philippine oil and gas industry, she handled the completion activities relating to the company’s offshore acquisition, which involved the conduct of an offshore tender offer, acquisition financing, integration and transition. Recent transactions in M&A include the acquisition of solar power companies in the Philippines by a Singapore-headquartered independent developer and manager of power and infrastructure projects.
Erika also has significant experience in the area of securities, where she handles debt and equity transactions, including private placements, initial public offerings, follow-on offerings, and placing and subscription transactions. She likewise regularly deals with equity-based employee benefit plans, from stock options and stock appreciation rights, to stock purchase plans, restricted stock units and other capital accumulation programs, especially those involving multinational corporations in respect of their Philippine legal vehicles.
Prior to joining the firm, Erika was an associate at Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos Law Office until 2006.
