Rafael’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate as well as media and technology law. He is admitted to the Philippine Bar and qualified for admission to the New York Bar.
- Columbia Law School, Master of Laws (Harlan Fiske Stone Honors)
- Ateneo de Manila Law School, Juris Doctor (Second Honors)
- Ateneo de Manila University, A.B. Economics
Rafael advises local and foreign clients on corporate structuring, mergers and acquisitions and a wide range of commercial and regulatory matters. Rafael has significant transactional experience, regularly advising on sale and purchase agreements, investors’ rights and directors’ obligations as well as equity and debt issuances. He represents clients before the Philippine Competition Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other government agencies.
Rafael also works with emerging companies, founders, and venture investors. He has represented technology startups on multiple funding rounds with investors from the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and China. He has drafted a legal primer for startups in the Philippines, which was published and distributed by incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces, where he has also given lectures.
Rafael completed courses on Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain Technology with the University of California, Berkeley.