The Philippine Supreme Court released the results of the 2013 Bar examinations on March 18, 2014. All of SyCip Law’s legal assistants – fresh graduates of the country’s top schools – breezed through with three landing in the top ten. Mark Xavier D. Oyales, Eden Catherine B. Mopia and Michael T. Tiu placed 2nd, 4th and 7th respectively. Their “batchmates” in the firm, and fellow new lawyers, are: Roshni V. Balani, Vera Marie H. Bautista, Marie Nickie H. Bolos, Camille Maria L. Castolo, Efren Dominique M. Chatto II, Catherine D. Dela Rosa, Carlos P. Garcia, Charles David A. Icasiano, Ferdinand Richard Michael M. Manotoc, Anna Loraine M. Mendoza, Mae Grace June C. Nillama, Sittie Amirah K. Pendatun, Ana Katarina B. Rodriguez, Martin Kristoffer F. Roman and Kristine Camille Y. Umali
The Bar results has been followed by even more good news. The firm has admitted two new partners, Arlene M. Maneja and Ronald Mark C. Lleno. Arlene is a corporate lawyer who specializes in investments and project finance. She has been involved in high-value projects and deals in the infrastructure, oil and gas and power industries, including the bidding for the rehabilitation, expansion, operation and maintenance of the Mactan Cebu International Airport, and a US$270 million project financing for a coal-fired power plant in Naga, Cebu. Mark is a litigator and has handled cases before all court levels, including the Court of Tax Appeals and the Supreme Court. His experience ranges from tax litigation to environmental practice, and has represented clients such as Qatar Airways, Imperial Tobacco and Mitsubishi Corporation.