Our Team
Atty. Benedicto M. Valerio Jr.
Atty. Benedicto M. Valerio Jr. is the founding partner and current managing executive of the firm. A seasoned corporate lawyer, he brings over three decades of legal expertise spanning banking, corporate law, litigation, and regulatory compliance.
From 1996 to 2006, he served as General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary of International Exchange Bank, where he was part of the executive management team and oversaw key legal functions, including legal documentation, corporate housekeeping, litigation management, tax compliance, and mergers and acquisitions.
In 2012, Atty. Valerio was appointed an officer of EastWest Banking Corporation, where he continues to serve as Corporate Secretary.
Earlier in his career, he honed his legal practice with several prestigious law firms, including Bautista Picazo Cruz Buyco and Tan (1987–1988), Balane Barican Cruz and Alampay (1989–1992), and Alfonso M. Cruz Law Offices (1993–1995), handling a wide range of legal matters.
Atty. Valerio earned his Juris Doctor from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law in 1987 and was admitted to the Philippine Bar the same year. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from De La Salle University (1981) and a Master’s in Business Administration from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business, where he graduated with distinction in 2003 as a Gold Medal awardee for academic excellence.
Atty. Gerard Benedict G. Valerio
Atty. Gerard Benedict G. Valerio earned his Juris Doctor degree from San Beda College Alabang and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2023. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Economics with minors in Literature and Business Enterprise Development from the Ateneo de Manila University.
His practice focuses on litigation, where he represents clients in civil, criminal, labor, and administrative cases. He is experienced in dispute resolution and negotiation, helping clients achieve favorable outcomes both in and out of court. He also advises on corporate and commercial matters, including share and asset purchase transactions.
Atty. Jonathan P. Ong
Atty. Jonathan P. Ong joined the Firm in August 2019, bringing with him over 25 years of legal experience in banking, corporate law, and litigation.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of the Philippines School of Economics in 1989, and subsequently obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the UP College of Law in 1993. He passed the Philippine Bar Examination in September 1993 and was admitted to the Bar on March 15, 1994.
Atty. Ong began his legal career at the law office of Atty. Mario E. Ongkiko in 1994. In 1996, he transitioned to the banking industry as in-house counsel for the former International Exchange Bank, serving until August 2006. In May 2007, he joined Maybank Philippines, Inc. (MPI), where he held the position of Head of Legal Services and Corporate Secretary until July 2019.
During his tenure at MPI, he concurrently served as Corporate Secretary for the bank’s Philippine affiliates, including Philmay Property, Inc. and Philmay Holdings, Inc.
His areas of practice include banking law, corporate governance, and general litigation.
Atty. Raul I. Rafael
Atty. Raul I. Rafael graduated Magna Cum Laude (AB Economics) from Manuel L. Quezon University. He finished his Law Degree at San Beda College of Law in 1990 and passed the Bar in 1991 and thereafter engaged in private practice.
He was engaged as litigation lawyer and later Head of the Litigation Department of PSBank. He was also the retained counsel and corporate secretary of several financial institutions.
At present, he is a Conservator of a distressed insurance company appointed by the Insurance Commission.
Atty. Ma. Louise Marie Leuterio
Atty. Ma. Louise Marie Leuterio earned her Juris Doctor degree from San Beda College Alabang School of Law in 2024. She took the Bar examinations that same year and was admitted to the Philippine Bar on January 24, 2025. Before pursuing law, she completed a Bachelor's degree in Legal Management at San Beda College Alabang, providing her with a solid foundation in legal studies and business administration.
She is also currently a professor at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa, where she teaches Obligations and Contracts, Labor Relations, and Income Taxation Law.
Atty. Princess Janine C. Marasigan
Atty. Princess Janine C. Marasigan earned her Juris Doctor degree from San Beda College Alabang School of Law in 2022, took the bar examinations that same year, and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2023. She previously obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from De La Salle University–Manila. Before joining the Firm as an Associate, she worked at PwC Philippines/Isla Lipana & Co., where she handled infrastructure compliance for various companies and businesses.