D. Benitez Ian Carlo

Ian is an Associate at Puyat Jacinto and Santos (PJS) Law.

He first joined the firm in 2015 as a paralegal and rejoined as Law Clerk until he was admitted to the Philippine bar in 2023. Ian earned his Juris Doctor from Far Eastern University – Institute of Law in 2021. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Minor in English, from the University of the Philippines – Los Baños where he was a consistent part of the honor roll.

Ian’s main areas of practice are Banking and Finance, Energy Litigation and Corporate and Commercial Law.

Experience

• Singapore-based reinsurance company: Acted as lead local counsel client in providing legal advisory on Philippine insurance regulations.

• Confidential client: Part of the team handling reorganization of an insurance company’s business in the Philippines.

• Various clients: Part of the team in the acquisition of shares of various generation companies. Work involves due diligence review of documents and information provided by the target companies.

• Various clients: Acting as counsel to domestic and international companies involved in Philippine acquisitions and/or seeking investments in various industries in the Philippines.

• Various clients: Assists in the acquisition of testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) companies. Work involves reviewing potential risks with regard to the transaction.

• Various clients: Acting as legal counsel while also providing general corporate housekeeping services including filing of reportorial requirements; contract preparation and review; and rendering of legal opinions.

• Various clients: Provides assistance to companies through legal advice on structuring their investments and handling their applications with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Board of Investments, Department of Trade and Industry, and other government agencies.

• Various clients: Aids different generation companies in relation to their various applications for approval of several power supply agreements with the Energy Regulatory Commission. Work involves the drafting of the application and various pleadings, and presentation of witnesses before the commission relative to the applications.

• Various clients: Assists foreign and local investors in the Philippine energy industry relating to regulatory compliance and matters involving corporate, commercial, property, litigation, investments, environmental, labor, and contracts law.

• Various clients: Provides advice to local and foreign energy generation companies in relation to the operation and development of their hydroelectric, solar, wind, and coal-fired power plants.

Activities and Affiliations

Prior and Present Employment

• Associate, PJS Law, 2023-present

• Law Clerk, PJS Law, 2022-2023

• Legal Intern, PJS Law, 2019

• Paralegal, PJS Law, 2015-2022

• Student Assistant, UPLB Gender Center, 2013-2015