HOPE JAN CASTILLO-CANDIDO

Received her Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the Ateneo de Manila University in 2009 where she graduated with Second Honors Silver Medal and ranked no. 22 in her class. She was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2010. As a Gerry Roxas Foundation scholar in the University of Santo Tomas, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with the degree of Bachelor of Arts Major in Philosophy in 2005.

Relevant Experiences

  • Serving as one of the legal consultants in the land acquisition of a local energy company operating a coal-fired thermal power plant in Masinloc. Scope of work includes conduct of due diligence on documents relating to the transaction, representation before various government agencies including, the National Power Corporation (NPC), the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) and the Land Registration Authority (LRA), and oversee ongoing applications for registration of land title.
  • Acts as legal counsel on applications for registration of land title of a local energy company. Work includes advice on compliance on regulatory requirements, representation with various government agencies including the Land Registration Authority and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and drafting of memos on relevant legal issues.
  • Part of the team engaged as counsel by AP Renewables, Inc. in regard to the land acquisition of the 747MW Tiwi-MakBan Geothermal Power Plants. Scope of work includes conduct of due diligence on documents relating to the transaction.
  • Currently part of the team engaged to act as local legal counsel for a major holding company operating in the hydroelectric power generation industry in relation to the development and operation of a coal-fired power generation plant in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Scope of work includes representation before various government agencies and private entities including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, review of and advice on licenses, permits and compliance with regulatory requirements of government agencies and administrative bodies, preparation of memos on issues related to environmental laws, advice on tax matters and fiscal and non-fiscal incentives specific to the power generation industry.
  • Part of the legal team advising Therma Marine, Inc., a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation, on the legal and regulatory concerns of its two 100 MW barge-mounted diesel-powered plants. Work covers review and advice on regulatory compliance and issues involving energy, property, environmental, labor, tax and contracts laws, and representation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other administrative bodies relative to the permits and licenses for the power barges.
  • Currently part of the legal team which advices a company engaged in the business of resolving and collecting upon delinquent loans secured by mortgages. Work involved due diligence review of documents, advice on issues relating to land and environmental laws, and assessment of associated risks and exposure in pursuing the proposed transaction.
  • Acted as member of the team that advised a local energy company in its proposed bid for the acquisition of a thermal power plant. Work includes review and preparation of various document deliverables for the proposed bid, review and analysis of compliance with existing environmental laws (clean air, water permit requirements, among others) applicable to the operation of the thermal power plant including a review of sufficiency of environmental permits and licenses.
  • Currently acting as member of the legal team assisting VG Puyat Group of Companies on the legal and regulatory concerns of its state-of-the-art landfill and gas collection facility. Work includes conduct of due diligence on land issues, and assistance to Client in responding to and complying with solid waste management concerns and other regulatory requirements.
  • Handled the application of companies for foreshore lease agreements, forest land use agreements and special land use permit. Work includes advice on compliance on regulatory requirements, preparation and review of supporting documents and representations before the regional offices, bureaus and attached agencies of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
  • Part of the legal team which advised a foreign company on its proposed joint venture with a locally listed company for the exploration and development of a mining right. Work includes due diligence review of documents pertinent to the transactions, assessment of associated risks and exposure in pursuing the proposed transaction, and advice on issues related to commercial, corporate, property and litigation laws.
  • Assisted a foreign company in its proposed acquisition of an interest in a local mining company. Work involved review of related mining laws, due diligence examination of mining claims, analysis of the proposed investment structure in the local mining companies and representation before the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
  • Acted as part of team engaged as transaction counsel by a private company in its joint venture with a government owned and controlled corporation. Work covered legal due diligence review of documents, preparation of report involving litigation and labor-related issues, advise on compliance with regulatory laws, and assessment of associated risks and exposure in pursuing the proposed transaction.
  • Acts as assistant corporate secretary and general counsel of San Carlos Bionergy, Inc., the first bioethanol and power cogeneration company in the Philippines. Work includes contract review, drafting of documents for various corporate transactions, drafting of minutes of shareholders’ and board of directors’ meetings, corporate filings/corporate housekeeping, and advice on employee relations.
  • Acts as assistant corporate secretary and General Counsel to different corporations, stock and non-stock. Work includes incorporation, contract review and drafting and preparation of documents for various corporate transactions and corporate filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
  • Currently assisting clients in various litigation works consisting of appearances in court and other administrative tribunals, drafting and review of legal pleadings, developing case theories and strategies and assisting clients in amicably settling disputes.
  • Currently representing various clients in applications for trademark registration with the Philippine Intellectual Property Office.