Press Release

SyCipLaw's Subic Office and Employment & Immigration Department (EID), in partnership with the Clark Development Corporation External Affairs Department (CDC EAD), held a seminar for foreign employers and local employees in the Clark Freeport Zone last June 30 at the Widus Hotel & Casino. Entitled "Clark Freeport Zone Requisites for Securing/Renewing Employment Permit for Expats and Fostering Harmony in the Workplace between Foreign Employers and Local Employees", the whole-day seminar was attended by 200 participants representing 110 companies.

The session was opened with welcome remarks and special messages from CDC AVP for External Affairs Rommel C. Narciso, CDC AVP for Business Development Rodem R. Perez, and SyCipLaw EID Head Luisito V. Liban. They were followed by guest speakers invited by CDC from the Bureau of Immigration and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

DOLE Region 3 Chief of Labor and Employment Alejandro Inza Cruz and MED-Arbiter Remedios Vegim discussed the procedures, policies and requirements for Alien Employment Permit. They also addressed audience questions on Visa and permit applications in the Q&A session facilitated by SyCipLaw partners Rodelle B. Bolante and Russel L. Rodriguez.

DOLE Undersecretary Dominador R. Say spoke extensively on labor relations for expatriates. His presentation was followed by a panel discussion, composed of SyCipLaw partners Dante T. Pamintuan and Leslie C. Dy, associate Il Young Choi, and foreign apprentice Masao Dan, which addressed potential conflicts between expatriates and employees and provided practical advice on working in a multi-cultural workplace.

SyCipLaw lawyers then handled the breakout sessions and consultations, which allowed for further discussion of issues and concerns raised during the plenary sessions. Other SyCipLaw representatives who joined the speakers in addressing participants' questions were SyCipLaw managing partner Hector M. de Leon, Jr.; of counsel Lozano A. Tan; partners Amer Hussein N. Mambuay, Marianne M. Miguel, Ronald Mark C. Lleno; and senior associate Rosevee R. Paylip-Guiang, with support from administrative assistant Beatriz S. Yao and junior paralegal Ronald A. Medina.

The "Clark Freeport Zone Requisites for Securing/Renewing Employment Permit for Expats and Fostering Harmony in the Workplace between Foreign Employers and Local Employees" is part of SyCipLaw's Kapihan series, sessions for experts and stakeholders to discuss the most recent legal issues and developments.

SyCipLaw's Employment and Immigration Department (EID) represents clients in compulsory and voluntary arbitration as well as in adversarial and non-adversarial labor proceedings before labor agencies and the courts. It handles conflicts between labor and management, including strike disputes, mass action controversies, unfair labor practice cases and terminations of employment. Its services include labor audits, due diligence and the preparation and review of company policies, personnel manuals, rules and regulations. It also provides lectures and seminars on employment law and labor relations to senior executives and personnel managers in top corporations.