Professional Background

Ms. Bagtas is a Partner in the Corporate & Commercial Law Department. She earned her Juris Doctor degree with honors in 1998 from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree major in Legal Management from the same university, graduating cum laude in 1994. Admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1999, Ms. Bagtas has gained extensive experience in handling a wide array of issues involving commercial laws, laws regulating foreign investments, taxation, real estate and property development, securities, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance. She has worked with clients in various projects that include mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate reorganizations, and buy-outs, among others. Ms. Bagtas is the Corporate Secretary of LAWASIA Philippines and is a member of the Law Association for Asia and the Pacific.

Articles and Presentations

• "Residential free patents now available", Business Mirror, 13 April 2010
• "Issuance of free patents made easy", Business Mirror, 16 March 2010
• "To Tax or Not to Tax Election-related Activities", Business Mirror, 17 November 2009
• "Taking advantage of the optional standard deductions", Business Mirror, 13 January 2009
• "Republic Act 9504: A welcome relief", Business Mirror, 29 July 2008
• "Pyramid schemes vs legitimate marketing: the difference" Business Mirror, 12 February 2008