CIArb YMG launched in the Philippines

By Jay Santiago and Irene Valones

The Philippine chapter of CIArb Young Members Group (“CIArb YMG Philippines”) was officially launched on 24 January 2019.  The occasion was celebrated during the Joint Monthly Fellowship of the Philippine Institute of Arbitrators (“PIArb”) and the CIArb Philippine Chapter, held at the premises of Quisumbing Torres (a member firm of Baker & McKenzie International) in Taguig City, Philippines.

Co-Chair Jay Santiago (Senior Associate, Quisumbing Torres) welcomed the audience via a video message from London. Mr Santiago spoke about the creation of the CIArb YMG Philippines and its vision to promote alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”) among young practitioners in the Philippines. He also announced potential collaborations with Young PIArb (PIArb’s young members group) and other young members groups in the region. He invited the audience to attend the inaugural CIArb East Asia Branch YMG Conference that will be held in Hong Kong on 8 April 2019.

Co-Chair Irene Valones (Court  Attorney, Supreme Court of the Philippines) introduced the members of the core group, namely: Camille Khristine Aromas (Partner, DivinaLaw), Marian Cloma (Associate, Baniqued Layug & Bello), Janice Lee (Associate, Eversheds Harry Elias), Ian Ray Malilong (Partner, Solis Medina Limpingco & Fajardo), Ira Paolo Pozon, John Christian Joy Regalado (Senior Associate, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan), and Maricef Valderrama (Associate, Allen & Overy).

PIArb President Donemark J. L. Calimon remarked on the group’s promising potential to help in the promotion of ADR in the Philippines and abroad.

To conclude the formal launch, PIArb President Emeritus Prof. Mario Valderrama led a toast wishing the CIArb YMG Philippines many successful activities in the future. His talk entitled “Organizing the Arbitral Proceedings: Developments, Innovations and Problem Areas” immediately followed the launch. PIArb Chairman Ricardo Ma. Ongkiko, CIArb and PIArb members, and other guests witnessed the event.

The creation of the CIArb YMG Philippines is a historic milestone, being the first chapter of an international ADR young members group to be organised in the Philippines. For more information, please send an email to jaysantiago@jaysantiago.net and irenevalones@yahoo.com.