Ms. Bunye heads the Mining & Natural Resources Department and the Energy practice group, and is also a Partner in the Intellectual Property Department.
Her Intellectual Property practice is focused on trademarks and IP commercialization, including licensing and franchising, and the registration of food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products with the Food & Drug Administration.
She is currently a Vice President of the Licensing Executives Society International (LESI). Previous to her appointment to the LESI Board, she held positions in the Asia Pacific Committee of LES International, the most recent of which was as Chair for two consecutive terms. She is also a past President of LES Philippines. She has spoken in many countries on IP licensing in the Philippines.
In her Mining & Natural Resources practice, she is recognized among the foremost mining lawyers in the Philippines. In the 2012 edition of the Chambers directory, Patricia is cited as “an excellent strategist with a solid understanding of the industry.”
She is an active member of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines’ Legal Committee and is a regular speaker in the Mining 101 course of the University of the Philippines lecture series. She is the current President of Diwata-Women in Resource Development, Inc., a non-government organization advocating the responsible development of the Philippines’ wealth in resources, principally, through industries such as mining, oil and gas, quarrying, and other mineral resources from the earth for processing.
Patricia has likewise served in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in various capacities, including as Chapter President. She obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law in 1993. She also holds a degree in Bachelor of Science, Major in Legal Management from the same University.
Her socio-civic involvements include her work as a Director of the Catholic Mass Media Awards. She is also a member of Zonta International.
Mining & Natural Resources Law Practice:
The firm is recognized for its conscientious, proactive, and highly skilled mining and energy team.
In our mining practice, we provide counsel to leading mining and exploration companies on a broad range of matters, including compliance with nationality and capitalization requirements, obtaining government approvals, licenses and registrations required for the commencement of mining activities, preparing and reviewing applications for mineral agreements and exploration permits, and drafting, negotiating and reviewing contracts pertinent to the mining industry, such as joint ventures, operating agreements and other suitable business arrangements. We also have experience in rendering title opinions, advice on land tenure and ancestral domain issues, and mining litigation, among others.
In our energy practice, we advise investors, private equity funds, lenders, contractors and suppliers on the appropriate transaction and governance structures of mergers and acquisitions, including development, financing, operation, sale and distribution projects in the power and energy sector. Our lawyers have represented various clients in successfully obtaining required government accreditation and permits and also routinely negotiate, draft and review agreements and contracts necessary to implement complex transactions in this field.
With a sustainable environment in mind, our lawyers have rendered advice on investments and laws governing renewable sources of energy, including hydro, wind, geothermal, solar and biofuels.
A multi-disciplinary approach, often involving collaboration with the firm’s other departments, allows the team to effectively service all its clients’ business needs.
The team has been consistently commended for offering concise, relevant and insightful advice born from a precise understanding of the needs of foreign companies doing business in the Philippines. The group also possesses distinct competencies and resources that give it the ability to forge strategic partnerships with relevant agencies and organizations.
Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia:
Building upon the founding principles that brought success to a partnership that spanned over 33 years, a group of 15 partners led by Avelino J. Cruz, Jr., former Secretary of National Defense and Simeon V. Marcelo, former Ombudsman and Solicitor General – exceptional lawyers with impeccable professional reputations – founded Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia.
United by common ideals and shared values, ours is a true partnership of accomplished professionals dedicated to building a legal institution that will carry on the torch of professionalism, meritocracy and mutual respect that transcend individual interests – principles befitting true practitioners of the noble profession of law.
Our core partnership values translate into our governance principles and are both integral to ensuring that our lawyers are able to deliver the highest quality of service to help our clients attain success.
