Rolando Mario G VILLONCO

Introduction

Rolando Mario G Villonco is the chairman of the law firm of Siguion Reyna, Montecillo & Ongsiako, the oldest law firm in the Philippines which celebrated its centennial in 2001. He obtained his LLB in AB economics and law degree in the Ateneo de Manila University, and was admitted to the Bar in 1978.

Villonco spearheads the law firm’s renowned practice in labour law. He has, through the years, successfully steered many of the biggest companies in the Philippines – such as PLDT, San Miguel Corporation, Philippine AirLines, RCBC, Atlas Consolidated Mining Corporation – in successfully negotiating and concluding collective bargaining agreements with their employees His counsel is much sought-after in dealing with, and satisfactorily resolving, myriad employer-employee issues, including strikes and union-related problems, and controversies arising as an aftermath of local and international mergers and acquisitions, spin-off projects, outsourcing arrangements, redundancy, streamlining initiatives and other major personnel actions undertaken by management with actual and potentially serious implications in corporate operations and finances.

Villonco’s other practice areas are in corporate law, and in corporate and civil litigation; one of his earlier cases concerned the conversion of shares in one of the oldest clubs in the country, Manila Polo Club, from non-proprietary to proprietary.

Through the years, Villonco’s counsel has been much sought after, his advice being rooted in pragmatism and his deep knowledge of the law and procedure in achieving the desired results. His out-of-the box thinking is deeply appreciated for untangling complicated legal issues, as is his nuanced analysis of the contexts within which a particular controversy has to be navigated. He is adept in determining the client’s short term and long-term needs, and for carving out a legal pathway to meet the same.

He is currently an officer and member of the board of director of Manila Memorial Park Cemetery, ETSI Technologies, and Rothelma Aquatic Resources.