Established in 2015, boutique law firm Gulapa Law is recognised for its expertise in construction, energy and infrastructure. Its market-leading infrastructure group continues to advise both the government and private bidders in various public-private partnership (PPP) projects and has a stellar track record in advising on major flagship infrastructure projects. In addition, the firm also provides expert legal advice in the areas of corporate and M&A, banking and finance, competition/antitrust, intellectual property, dispute resolution and more. With eight partners and 40 legal professionals, Gulapa Law continues to expand by servicing more international clients. Infrastructure specialist Aris Gulapa is the main contact.
Work highlights
Advising Singapore-based Intake on trademark registrations across 13 jurisdictions through the Madrid Protocol, with the Philippines serving as Office of Origin. Successfully secured registrations in multiple territories through 2023, marking one of the first major international applications using the Philippines as country of origin. The matter included coordinating with counsel in Canada, Singapore, the US, India, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Key clients
Frontiir, Le Bistro Vincent, Megawide Construction Corporation
Work highlights
Successfully represented JBROS Construction Corporation in securing an arbitral award against a government agency regarding the terminated contract for nationwide health centre construction. The Court of Appeals upheld the Construction Industry Arbitration Commission's final award, ruling it could not be modified and dismissing the government's petition for certiorari, marking a significant victory in contractor rights protection.
Representing a hospital owner in defending against a contractor's arbitration claim for alleged non-payment under a construction agreement for facility expansion works. The case centres on unresolved punch list items and latent structural defects discovered in the building, raising critical safety concerns for patients and medical staff.
Key clients
Island Air Products Corporation, Philphos
Work highlights
Advising Thailand's Sermsang Power Corp and its Singapore subsidiary on acquiring a majority stake in a 150MW pre-ready-to-build wind power project in Bago, Negros Occidental. The pioneering transaction tested new Department of Energy guidelines on foreign control of renewable energy developments, marking one of the first deals under the revised regulatory framework.
Key clients
Bonifacio Landmark Corporation, Cebu Air, Mitsui and Co
Work highlights
Advising the Thunder Consortium (Aboitiz Renewables, Electric Power Development Co and Sumitomo Corp) on competition aspects of their bid for the 796.64MW Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan hydroelectric power plant complex. The $1.7 billion privatisation represents one of the Philippine government's largest power asset sales through the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation, requiring strategic competition compliance under accelerated bidding timelines.
Key clients
Aboitiz Renewables, Asian Development Bank, Electric Power Development Co, Sumitomo Corp
Work highlights
Advising a consortium led by First Balfour on their $21 million bid for the Negros Occidental Bulk Water Supply Project, a public-private partnership to develop and operate a 34.5 million litre daily water system. The project aims to provide treated bulk water to six municipalities through infrastructure sourced from the Imbang and Malogo rivers, addressing critical potable water needs across the province.
Advising First Balfour on their $52 million unsolicited proposal to develop Iloilo City's high-capacity bus system, one of the first projects evaluated under the new Philippine Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code. The pioneering transport infrastructure proposal successfully passed the PPP Center's completeness review in 2024 and has advanced to negotiations with the government.
Key clients
Department of Transportation, First Balfour, Peak Off-Grid Innovations and Solutions
