The Salma Angkaya-Kuhutan Law Office (SAKLAW) is a general law practice that provides legal counseling and representation to individuals, companies, non-profit organizations, and government agencies in various legal and compliance matters — corporate and commercial, data privacy, anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT), real estate and property, labor, immigration, intellectual property, and tax.
SAKLAW believes that our clients deserve an attorney who takes a personal interest in their legal concerns. At SAKLAW, the Attorney handles each client’s matter personally with passion and compassion, assisted by a complement staff. SAKLAW collaborates with other lawyers for large projects where the special expertise of other lawyers may be necessary. These collaborating counsels are bound by the same confidentiality and professional ethics.
SAKLAW leverages the Attorney’s experience and network in adding value to our legal services. The Attorney has worked with the government and has extensive experience advising government agencies on legal, policy, and political matters. This gives us a unique ability to address our clients’ needs.
Engage SAKLAW to facilitate the transfer of land titles whether by sale, donation, or inheritance.
SAKLAW assist clients in transferring land titles whether by sale, donation, or inheritance. Our title transfer services include documentation as well as processing of taxes and fees.
We offer a range of services relating to real estate. We provide assistance on planning, negotiations, documentation, notarization and processing.
SAKLAW renders legal advice and documentation on the sale or purchase of real estate. Work includes advice on the tax consequences of the sale; drafting and reviewing contracts to sell, deeds of absolute sale, transfer of rights, broker’s agreements, and other relevant documents; processing of tax payments to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), local tax clearance with the local government, and registration fees with the Registry of Deeds; securing clearance from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) or applying for conversion of land use; and transfer of title.
SAKLAW has extensive experience in establishing businesses and structuring a foreign investment to comply with nationality restrictions under Philippine constitutional and foreign investment laws.
Work includes setting up new corporations and registration of branches of foreign corporations with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) or the Board of Investments (BOI), registration of foreign investments with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), as well as post-incorporation registrations, such as securing local government permits and licenses and registration of the new companies with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS) and the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF).
For foreign investments, work includes determining the best mode of entry in the Philippines (domestic subsidiary, branch office, representative office, etc.), preparation and filing of Foreign Investments Act (FIA) application, drafting of commercial agreements, and due diligence. For more information, please see information on transaction advisory and due diligence below.
SAKLAW offers a general retainer package for general counsel and regulatory compliance. SAKLAW also has a premium retainer package that includes actual compliance work such as regular filings with the BIR, SSS, and HDMF. This service is particularly helpful for start-up businesses and self-employed individuals, who do not yet have a full-time dedicated staff to undertake this specialized work. For more information, please refer to SAKLAW’s General Counsel Services below.
SAKLAW provides legal counseling on matters relating to labor and employment concerns and represents clients in cases before the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC). On a highly selective and case-to-case basis, SAKLAW accepts labor cases filed by employees on a contingency basis.
SAKLAW also offers a voluntary self-audit of company policies, job descriptions, employment contracts, and third-party contractors to ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations.
SAKLAW assists clients in patent and trademark search to determine eligibility of inventions, utility models and industrial designs; registration of tradenames, trademarks, and service marks; filing and prosecution of patent, trademark, and copyright applications; preparation and recording of assignments, licensing agreements, franchise agreements, and technology transfer agreements involving patents, trademarks and copyright registrations; handling of opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Intellectual Property of the Philippines (IPOPHIL); prosecution of infringement and unfair competition suits before the regular courts and administrative agencies.
SAKLAW has handled a number of family law cases involving legal separation, annulment of marriage, declaration of nullity of marriage, custody, support, separation of properties, adoption, child abuse, and violence against women and children cases.
SAKLAW also counsels clients on efficient estate planning and drafts last wills and testaments. SAKLAW also provides assistance in the extra-judicial or judicial settlement of estate and trusts, as well as the processing of estate tax payments with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), transfer of title to properties, and other related matters.
