PRIME MOVERS: Legal Trends and Insights

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In today's world, the increasing focus on sustainability is transforming investment strategies, offering new opportunities for investors to support environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals while achieving financial returns. The rise of ESG investing and the recent regulatory developments in the Philippines are reshaping the investment landscape.

Join Atty. Kristine Torres in this insightful episode of Prime Movers, discussing the significance of ESG criteria, the current state of ESG investments in the Philippines, and the challenges and opportunities for investors, hosted by Atty. Edsel Tupaz. Learn how these factors influence investment decisions and contribute to sustainable development.

01:28 - Introduction
02:26 - Rise of ESG Investing
11:30 - ESG Investment Landscape in the Philippines
19:49 - Overcoming Challenges in ESG Investment
21:17 - Is ESG here to stay?

Stay updated with our latest episodes! Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra is a top-tier full-service law firm in the Philippines, renowned for its outstanding legal services both locally and internationally.

For more information, contact Gorriceta at counselors@gorricetalaw.com or +632 8696-0687.

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E-marketplaces and online transactions have become strong driving forces of the country’s growing digital economy. However, the proliferation of scams and bad actors in digital spaces have required new legislation to address concerns regarding the trustworthiness and security of our online markets. This has led to the passage of the recently enacted Internet Transactions Act.

Join Atty. Micaela Kristina V. Galvez in this episode of Prime Movers as she explores the Internet Transactions Act, dissecting its profound implications on digital transactions and e-marketplaces, with host Atty. Edsel Tupaz. From regulatory changes to the future of online commerce, learn and understand the complexities of this pivotal legislation and its impact on businesses and consumers alike

01:09 - Introduction
02:27 - Looming threats and challenges for e-commerce
03:30 - The Internet Transactions Act
07:25 - How the Internet Transactions Act may affect your business
11:25 - The impact on the Philippine digital economy
13:00 - Key Takeaways and Conclusion

For more information, contact Gorriceta at counselors@gorricetalaw.com or +632 8696-0687.

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Fast-paced developments in technology have opened new opportunities for taxpayers to conveniently pay their taxes and new avenues for the government to collect revenue. The passage of the Ease of Paying Taxes Act and new BIR rules on taxation of online transactions represent major shifts in Philippine tax law.

Join Atty. Froilyn Dayaoen-Pagayatan in this enlightening episode of Prime Movers, hosted by Atty. Edsel Tupaz, as they delve into the Ease of Paying Taxes Act, BIR’s new rules on online transactions, and their implications for taxpayers. Discover how these changes could impact you and stay informed about the latest developments in tax law.

01:15 Introduction
02:05 Ease of Paying Taxes Act
06:33 Taxation of social media influencers and online transactions
13:52 Final tips for social media influencers and e-marketplace operators
15:40 Conclusion

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Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra is a top-tier full service law firm in the Philippines, ranked and recognized locally and internationally for its excellent legal services.

You may contact Gorriceta through counselors@gorricetalaw.com or +632 8696-0687.

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The COVID-19 pandemic and high inflation rates have left some businesses unable to pay their debts. Creditors are often left holding the bag with little to no options for debt collection, given the prolonged period of time and high costs associated of collecting debts through judicial proceedings. However, there is an alternative.

Join us as Atty. Mark De Leon, a Prime Mover and Counsel of Gorriceta Africa Cauton and Saavedra, discusses Republic Act No. 10142 or the Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency Act. Atty. Mark’s discussion guides listeners through a step-by-step discussion on how financial rehabilitation proceedings are carried out and offers insights on how financial rehabilitation can help creditors and debtors come to a win-win solution that can bypass costly and lengthy litigation.

0:00 – Podcast Introduction
1:17 – Introduction to Guest Speaker
2:25 – Financial Rehabilitation as an Option for Creditors to Collect Debts
12:40 – How Financial Rehabilitation Proceedings Work

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Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra is a top-tier full service law firm in the Philippines, ranked and recognized locally and internationally for its excellent legal services.

You may contact Gorriceta through counselors@gorricetalaw.com or +632 8696-0687.

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Did you know that the Philippine Government is also a customer that buys goods and services that it can use in its day-to-day operations? The Philippine Government does this through a procurement process where a competitive public bidding is made to determine which provider can best deliver the much-needed resources it can use for the public welfare. With the proper documents and an eye to details, your business may be the next to score a contract with the Government.

In this episode, Atty. Edrian Apaya, a prime mover and a Junior Partner at Gorriceta Africa Cauton and Saavedra, discusses Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act of 2003. Ed will also guide prospective bidders in their attempt to participate in the entire procurement process and demystify some key areas that prospective bidders need to take a closer look on to ensure winning. He will also provide his insights on the latest developments in the procurement process and how the system can be improved for the benefit of all.

0:00 – Podcast Introduction
0:35 – Introduction to Guest Speaker
2:54 – Background and Definition of Government Procurement
7:19 – Common Challenges to Prospective Bidders
13:14 – Addressing Corruption Issues

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Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra is a top-tier full service law firm in the Philippines, ranked and recognized locally and internationally for its excellent legal services.

You may contact Gorriceta through counselors@gorricetalaw.com or +632 8696-0687.

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The Philippines has become one of the fastest growing economies in the past decade. Quite interesting, however, is the fact that the Philippines’ capital market is still relatively small compared to its Asian counterparts.

Today in Prime Movers, listeners will be able to hear first-hand the insider’s perspective of Mr. Eduardo V. Francisco, President and Director of BDO Capital & Investment Corporation, on the current state of our country’s capital market space and the future it holds.

This episode will give its listeners a deep dive on the recent market trends, the ins-and-outs of investment deals, and the regulations needed to further develop our country's capital market space.

05:20 Background on BDO Capital and Investment Corporation
06:35 Key Factors Considered by Investment Houses
09:26 Current Market Trends in the PH Capital Market
11:40 Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
14:39 Factors Affecting Investor Sentiment
17:44 Common Investment Mistakes and their Solutions
20:26 Recent Developments in Capital Market Regulations
24:23 Regulations that the PH Capital Market Needs
29:09 Predictions on the PH Capital Market

Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra is a top-tier full-service law firm in the Philippines, ranked and recognized locally and internationally for its excellent legal services.

You may contact Gorriceta through counselors@gorricetalaw.com or +6328696-0687

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In a world captivated by the wonders of artificial intelligence, ChatGPT has emerged as a true force of nature, sweeping across industries, and revolutionizing the way we interact with technology. Join us on a captivating journey as we explore ChatGPT's meteoric rise. Brace yourself for an exhilarating exploration of the unstoppable force that is ChatGPT and its remarkable impact on our rapidly evolving society.

In today’s episode, one of the most respected Philippine scientists, Dr. Erika Legara, will provide us an in-depth discussion on the effects of ChatGPT. Whether you're a technology enthusiast, a curious listener, or a professional in the AI space, this podcast is for you!

03:29 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)
07:30 Stages of AI
09:18 Classifications of AI
10:45 Generative AI
11:41 ChatGPT’s capabilities and possibilities
17:58 ChatGPT’s limitations and weaknesses
23:25 Recent developments on ChatGPT
28:55 Conclusion

Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra is a top-tier full-service law firm in the Philippines, ranked and recognized locally and internationally for its excellent legal services.

You may contact Gorriceta through counselors@gorricetalaw.com or +6328696-0687

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Are you concerned about data breaches and the safety of your personal information in the Philippines? With the increasing number of cyber attacks and human errors, data breaches have become a significant concern in the country.

The Data Privacy Act of 2012 established the legal framework for protecting personal data, and the National Privacy Commission requires personal information controllers to report any data breaches that occur. However, despite these measures, data breaches remain a significant threat to the safety of personal information. This episode delves into the exciting and ever-evolving landscape of data breaches in the Philippines. We discuss the common causes of data breaches, the impact of these breaches on individuals and organizations, and the steps that the National Privacy Commission is taking to mitigate these risks and safeguard personal information.

Tune in to learn more as Gorriceta Partners, Atty. Kristine Torres and Atty. Edsel Tupaz discusses these critical issues and how you can protect yourself from the risks of data breaches in the Philippines.

00:50 Podcast Introduction
02:35 Topic I - Introduction - Background, Definition, and Impact of Data Breaches
02:56 Definition of Data Breach
08:34 Ways to Prevent Breaches
12:25 Topic II - Regulations and compliance: Current Status of NPC Regulation and relevant Philippine news
15:52 Rising concerns about Smishing
18:35 The Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act
24:56 Data Breaches in Mobile Applications
32:06 Topic III - Regulations of other countries
34:59 Topic IV - Prevention and Mitigation
38:25 Topic V - Key Takeaways

Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra is a top-tier full-service law firm in the Philippines, ranked and recognized locally and internationally for its excellent legal services.

You may contact Gorriceta through counselors@gorricetalaw.com or +6328696-0687

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Striking a business deal is not an easy feat. Especially with mergers and acquisitions, such kind of a deal requires crucial business decisions and careful analysis of the interplay among the transactions involved, affected parties, and the target outcome. This is where due diligence plays a critical role.

Joining us in today’s episode is Atty Kristine T. Torres, a partner at Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra, and one of the leading corporate and M&A lawyers of the firm. Tune in as she shares her knowledge, experience and insights about mergers and acquisitions. In particular, Atty. Kristine will discuss her learnings and experience handling multiple M&A deals and the importance of conducting due diligence for these kinds of transactions.

02:19 General Discussion on Due Diligence
03:25 Due Diligence from an M&A context
06:01 Importance of Due Diligence
09:20 The Due Diligence Approach
14:08 Red Flags in Due Diligence
17:50 Outlook and Trends on M&A
19:23 M&A deals vis-à-vis the due diligence process
20:45 Conclusion

Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra is a top-tier full-service law firm in the Philippines, ranked and recognized locally and internationally for its excellent legal services.

You may contact Gorriceta through counselors@gorricetalaw.com or +6328696-0687

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The internet, considered as one of man’s greatest invention, is in a constant and rapid movement through times. With the robust development of Web 3, and the emergence of cryptocurrencies, blockchain, digital assets, smart contracts and artificial intelligence, the empowerment of web users is a certainty and a reality. In the fast pace of the Web 3 movement, is the Philippines – and its traditional legal system – ready for the Web 3 phenomenon?

In today’s episode of Prime Movers, Atty Mark S. Gorriceta, the managing partner at Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra, and one of the mover-catalysts of the adoption of Web 3 in the Philippine legal system, shares his insights of where Web 3 truly stands in the country. Join us as we gather a deeper grasp of this technological evolution, its roots and its inevitable impact to the society, through this episode of Prime Movers.

Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra is a top-tier full-service law firm in the Philippines, ranked and recognized locally and internationally for its excellent legal services.

04:08 The Evolution of the Internet: From Web 1: The “Read/Only” web
06:47 The Birth of Web 2: Interactive and Collaborative Phase of the Internet
10:21 The New Internet Revolution That is Web 3
11:28 Decentralization in Web 3
17:19 Blockchain Technology
18:42 “DeFi:” Decentralized Finance and Web 3
19:24 Cryptocurrencies and Smart Contracts
21:10 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning as Components of Web 3
23:04 Web 3 in the Philippine Legal Landscape
31:15 The Digital Assets Act of 2022
32 :30 The Future of Web 3 in the Philippines

You may contact Gorriceta through counselors@gorricetalaw.com or +6328696-0687

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The Philippines was dubbed as the fastest growing digital economy among major ASEAN member-states in 2021. This digital boom continues as more and more Filipinos see the critical role of digital economy and the many opportunities it brings.

While we continue to capitalize on this digital transition, questions arise as to Philippine taxation within the digital realm. Here at Gorriceta, we discuss in more digestible segments the varying laws and regulations that apply to digital transactions.

Join Prime Mover Atty. Vincent Paul Saavedra, Partner at Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra, as we discuss how our current tax laws are keeping up with this seemingly unregulated sphere, the current stance of both the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue in treating these transactions and the new administration on the future of this rapidly-growing digital economy.

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00:44 Podcast Introduction
01:36 Part 1. The Scope of Taxation in the Philippines
06:30 Part 2. The Philippine Digital Economy
09:04 Part 3. The Tax Impact on the Digital Economy

Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra is a top-tier full-service law firm in the Philippines, ranked and recognized locally and internationally for its excellent legal services.

You may contact Gorriceta through counselors@gorricetalaw.com or +6328696-0687

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Even with the adoption of the Family Code of the Philippines in 1987, the process to end a marriage in the Philippines has gained notoriety (and rightfully so) as being costly, protracted and tedious. Unhappy Filipino couples are hoping this will not always be the case; and it is widely believed that the Supreme Court pronouncement in the 2021 case of Tan-Andal v. Andal is a step in the right direction.

Tune in this 20 minute episode as we demystify this new take on Psychological Incapacity and expound on its implications on Annulment cases in the Philippines.

Join Atty. Raffy Cedro, a prime mover and a Partner at Gorriceta Africa Cauton and Saavedra, as he discusses the institution of marriage in the Philippines and the impact of the 2021 pronouncement of the Supreme Court in Tan-Andal v. Andal. Atty. Raffy will also discuss the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act (VAWC) and how it works to protect women and their children in the Philippines.

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00:44 Podcast Introduction
02:32 Topic I: Marriages in the Phlippines
03:59 Topic II: Termination of Marriage
06:05 Topic III: Tan-Andal vs. Andal
19:49 Topic IV: VAWC
28:35 Topic V: Synthesis / Wrapping-up portion / Conclusion

Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra is a top-tier full-service law firm in the Philippines, ranked and recognized locally and internationally for its excellent legal services.

You may contact Gorriceta through counselors@gorricetalaw.com or +6328696-0687

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According to the Digital 2022 report, in the past 12 months, Filipinos aged 16 to 64 spent an average of 4 hours and 6 minutes using social media each day. Filipinos are accustomed to using social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok to share news, pictures, personal views, and nearly anything that’s going on in their lives. With this, an enormous amount of information that people share, some of which are very personal, are freely circulating the Web. While the Philippines has strengthened its privacy and security protections through the Data Privacy Act in 2012, is this enough in the context of the rapid growth of the digital economy and increasing international trade of data?

Tune in to this episode, where our Prime Mover Atty. Francis A. Africa, Partner at Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra delves into the issues on the use or misuse of our information. Listen in as he shares his insights on the latest data privacy issues and trends and the recent data privacy enforcement mechanism issued by the National Privacy Commission.

Make sure to hit that follow button to get updates on our episodes!

00:53 Podcast Introduction
01:10 Topic II - Introduction of Our Guest Speaker
02:58 Topic III - Background on Data Privacy
09:29 Topic IV - Emerging Trends and Issues on Privacy
13:49 Topic V - Enforcement Mechanisms
16:27 Topic VI - Current News Relating to Data Privacy
21:33 Topic VII. Synthesis / Wrapping up-portion / Conclusion

Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra is a top-tier full-service law firm in the Philippines, ranked and recognized locally and internationally for its excellent legal services.

You may contact Gorriceta through counselors@gorricetalaw.com or +6328696-0687

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Date: September 6, 2022
Name of Podcast: PRIME MOVERS: Legal Trends and Insights
Episode Title and Number: Episode 3: Boosting the Energy of InvestorsThe Energy question permeates every facet of our society, from the everyday concerns of the common man to the corporate strategies of large conglomerates and even to the policy-making decisions of nation states. In a world that is perpetually hungry for more energy an expert view on the nuances and particularities of Energy law and policy is more valuable than ever.

In this episode we are joined by a leading professional in the field of Energy Law, Atty. Julius M. Lotilla. Listen in as he discusses pertinent questions such as: What major influences shape energy policy in the Philippines? How is the Philippines positioned with regards to renewables? How do different parties best navigate energy transition policies? Catch all these and more in this episode of PRIME MOVERS.

02:29 Major Influences in Energy Law
03:30 Energy Trilemma
04:38 Foreign Investment
05:40 Government and Private Participation
06:36 Phases of Energy Production
08:05 Renewables
09:16 Government Policy
10:11 Economic and Environmental Factors
11:56 Environmental Laws and Energy Agencies
14:01 Philippine Renewable Energy and Transitioning from Conventional to Renewable Energy
16:33 Energy Policy Under the New Administration
19:34 Bataan Nuclear Power Plant
22:29 Future of Energy Law

Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra is a top-tier full-service law firm in the Philippines, ranked and recognized locally and internationally for its excellent legal services.

You may contact Gorriceta through counselors@gorricetalaw.com or +6328696-0687

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Date: August 31, 2022
Name of Podcast: PRIME MOVERS: Legal Trends and Insights
Episode Title and Number: Episode 2: Managing Infrastructure TransitionsBuild Build Build is the most ambitious infrastructure program in Philippine history. Build Build Build aims at bridging our infrastructure deficit. But the country’s debt burden is rising. How should the new administration achieve the objectives of Build Build Build without compromising the country’s fiscal health?

Joining us in this episode is Atty. Edsel Tupaz, partner at Gorriceta Africa Cauton Saavedra and Lead of the Firm’s Special Projects practice group. Tune in as he provides an in-depth discussion on how both private sector and government can effectively manage infrastructure transitions under Build Build Build 2.0. Catch our guest discuss the recurring challenge of absorptive capacity, public-private partnerships, public bidding rules, and the rise of digital infrastructure in the Philippines as integral to our COVID19 response.

02:44 Why Build Build Build is Important
06:27 Role of Our Guest in Build Build Build Projects
07:02 Challenges of Build Build Build and Managing Transitions
07:56 Addressing the Public Debt Burden
09:56 Build Build Build 2.0
10:28 A Public-Private Partnership Revival
12:54 Key Takeaway: Knowing the Revised Rules, Policies
14:00 Contingent Liabilities and MAGA under the Revised Rules
16:02 Perceived Lack of Speed in PPP Projects
18:20 The Challenge of Low Absorptive Capacity
19:35 Grassroots Competence at Public Bidding
23:10 Private Sector Toolkit: Competent, Meticulous Legal Counsel
24:57 Managing the Rise of Digital Infrastructure Amidst COVID19
31:50 Key Takeaway in Managing the Infrastructure Transition into Build Build Build 2.0 – Public Procurement

Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra is a top-tier full-service law firm in the Philippines, ranked and recognized locally and internationally for its excellent legal services.

You may contact Gorriceta through counselors@gorricetalaw.com or +6328696-0687

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Date: August 17, 2022
Name of Podcast: PRIME MOVERS: Legal Trends and Insights
Episode Title and Number: Episode 1: Rising through FintechThe Philippine Fintech landscape is currently in its prime era as it continuously dominates the financial service space in our country, ranging from digital banking to payments to lending and so on. As we face this advent of a digital frontier, it is only through adapting to these technological initiatives that we can rise through it.

Tune in to our pilot episode as Gorriceta Partners, Atty. Kristine Torres and Atty. Mark Gorriceta unravel the endless possibilities of the FinTech Industry by discussing the current Philippine Fintech landscape, the key regulators and regulatory framework of the industry, the Electronic Money Issuers, Operators of Payment Systems, the advent of blockchain technologies in the Philippines, and the role of the private sector in the fintech industry.

02:31 Defining the FinTech Landscape in the Philippines
09:04 Regulatory Framework of FinTech Industry in the Philippines
16:31 The Electronic Money Issuers (EMIs)
18:30 The Operators Payment Systems (OPS) Entities
19:50 The Advent of Blockchain Technologies in the Philippines
22:47 Private Sectors as Key Players
24:51 Conclusion

Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra is a top-tier full-service law firm in the Philippines, ranked and recognized locally and internationally for its excellent legal services.

You may contact Gorriceta through counselors@gorricetalaw.com or +6328696-0687

PRIME MOVERS: Legal Trends and Insights: Recent Episodes

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