Professional Background

Mr. Cruz is a Partner in the Litigation Department and the Strategic & Developmental Projects Department. He specializes in commercial & corporate litigation, insolvency and corporate rehabilitation and has handled regulatory enforcement cases, election cases, as well as the prosecution and defense of white collar crimes. His expertise include administrative law, government contracts and public policy & reform. Mr. Cruz previously served as Undersecretary of the Department of National Defense where he successfully negotiated bilateral and multilateral treaties and executive agreements. Prior to that, he was Undersecretary in the Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, where he rendered legal advice on policy issues, drafted key presidential issuances, coordinated public policy litigation and international arbitration, and vetted appointments to the Judiciary. Mr. Cruz earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1992, graduating among the top ten of his class. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, graduating cum laude from the same university in 1987. An alumnus of the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies, he is also a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He lectures on a variety of legal topics and security issues, served as an officer of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Philippine Bar Association, and is a member of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association.

Articles and Presentations

• "Fundamental Change", Business Mirror, 10 February 2009
• "Amparo", Business Mirror, 18 December 2007