Sarmiento Loriega Law Office

19/01/2026

24/12/2025

Warmest Christmas wishes from our SL Law family to you and yours.

May this season be filled with peace, gratitude, and joyful moments, as we honor and celebrate the families and friends who stand behind us and support us in all that we do.

Cheers! 🍷✨

19/12/2025

Sarmiento Loriega Law Office extends its warm congratulations to all parties on securing unconditional approval following a comprehensive Phase 2 review by the Philippine Competition Commission, the country’s antitrust authority.

The Firm’s Antitrust and Competition Law Team, led by Dean Bryan San Juan, MJur. (Oxon), J.D. (UP) acted for the Sellers/Target company, Franklin Baker. We extends our sincere appreciation to Partner Gen Endaluz for her unparalleled attention to details, our senior associate Irene Carmella Trinidad, and our associates—including Jude Raphael Fanila —for their dedication and support throughout the engagement especially in assisting our clients address competition concerns raised by the Commission.

The Firm likewise acknowledges the extensive advice provided by its M&A and Tax Teams, led by Ma Elizabeth Peralta-Loriega and Recolito Ferdinand N. Cantre Jr. , respectively. The M&A Team was further assisted by Partners Cristina Bello and Christine Clemente , with support from Vanessa Gesta and Franchesca Casanova.

Beyond the Practice!

PRESS RELEASE: PCC approves Metro Pacific Agro Ventures’ acquisition of Franklin Baker shares

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has approved Metro Pacific Agro Ventures, Inc.’s (MPAV) acquisition of a total outstanding shares of Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines (Franklin Baker). MPAV, an agri‑food company engaged in dairy, fresh produce, and coconut‑based products, operates a coconut production facility through its affiliate Axelum Resources Corporation. Franklin Baker is a major Philippine manufacturer and exporter of value‑added coconut products, with facilities in Laguna and Davao del Sur.

The PCC’s Mergers and Acquisitions Office (MAO) conducted a Phase 2 review due to initial concerns about potential monopsony effects in sourcing mature coconuts in Mindanao. After evaluating global product markets and conducting field assessments in Northern Mindanao and the Davao Region, the MAO found that the transaction is unlikely to substantially lessen competition. Global competition among coconut product suppliers and the presence of alternative buyers, particularly copra manufacturers, were found to mitigate risks of buyer dominance. The approval underscores PCC’s commitment to ensuring that consolidation in the agri‑food sector does not harm competition or consumer welfare.

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Read more: bit.ly/PCC-MPAV-FranklinBakerTransaction

12/12/2025

Milestone after milestone.

In its 5th year, Sarmiento Loriega Law Office makes its debut in the Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide 2026, earning recognition in Corporate/M&A and Dispute Resolution—an honor that places us alongside many of the profession’s more established firms.

Just last month, SL Law also made its first appearance across several practice areas in asialaw. In previous years, we have been consistently recognized as a top firm in multiple practice areas by Asia Business Law Journal, Asian Legal Business, IFLR1000 and the Legal 500 Asia Pacific.

These achievements are possible only because of the hard work and resilience of our Partners, associates, and staff—proof that what we do at SL Law goes beyond the practice.

Most of all, special thanks to our Managing Partner—God—for His favor, guidance, and grace over the firm.

Grateful. Humbled. Inspired to keep raising the bar. ✨

10/12/2025

Earlier this evening, we celebrated our 6th Christmas Party at Sarmiento Loriega Law Office, gathering with grateful hearts for the many blessings we have received.

What began with just two lawyers on 8 September 2020 has grown into a close-knit family of nearly 60 lawyers and staff. Along this journey, God has opened doors far beyond what we ever envisioned. Today, we are humbled and honored to have Partners recognized among ABLJ’s Top 100 Lawyers in the Philippines, IFLR1000’s Highly Regarded Practitioners, and Legal 500’s Recommended Lawyers—achievements that reflect not only excellence, but the dedication, perseverance, and heart that define our entire team.

We thank God for guiding our path, for the trust of our clients, and for the abundant blessings that 2025 has brought to our Firm.

From all of us at SL Law, we wish you a blessed, joy-filled, and truly meaningful Christmas! 🎄✨

09/11/2025

Grateful to our MP God for guiding us through another milestone in the Firm’s journey.

This year’s Partners’ Meeting in Austria and Italy marked our first with the Firm’s newly admitted Partners — a significant moment as we came together to chart strategic directions for the future, strengthen leadership unity, and reaffirm our shared vision to go Beyond the Practice. 🇦🇹🇮🇹✨

From only two Partners in September 2020, the Firm has grown to five in 2021, and now welcomes three newly promoted Partners into its leadership fold. This continued growth reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence, collaboration, and service to our clients and our ultimate stakeholders in many of our work: the Filipino people. 💼🌍