Counsels

Maria Allen M. Arbis
Get in Touch
(632) 8248-5250; 

 

Allen is a corporate lawyer with over 30 years of experience, both in the public and private sectors.

She started her legal career in 1988 in the public sector, spending time at the Court of Appeals and the Asset Privatization Trust.  She transferred to the private sector in 1991, where she assumed various roles in a number of corporations, including as general counsel in two publicly listed companies.

Qualifications

  • Graduated, Bachelor of Laws, Ateneo de Manila School of Law (Class of 1998)
  • Graduated, Bachelor of Arts (Major in Political Science and Sociology), University of the Philippines (College at Baguio)
  • Admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1998.

Experience

Consultant

Globe Telecom, Inc.  (November 2017 – July 2019)

  • Review, revise, finalize and endorse for management’s execution contracts related to cell site acquisition, including the evaluation of supporting property documents, and local and national licenses and permits.  The job also requires availability for consultation on laws relevant to real property, family relations and permitting.

President and General Manager 

Holcim Mining and Development Corporation (HMDC) and Holcim Resources and Development Corporation (HRDC) (January 2014 – March 2017)

  • Manage the over-all business operations of two (2) mining and land development companies, each of which has the following objectives: (1) providing a reliable and continuous supply of raw materials (specifically limestone and silica) quarried from owned and/or operated mining claims, (2) acquisition of land resources to ensure sustainable raw material reserves; (3) rehabilitation and/or development of mined-out areas; (4) clean-up of land-related issues, land titling and related legal processes; and (5) real estate sales and leases.

Vice President –Legal Affairs

Holcim Philippines, Inc. (HPI) (October 2002 – December 2013)

Corporate Counselling

  • Participate in contract negotiation, decision making, preparation, and implementation/execution.
  • Develop and deliver relevant and function-specific policies and procedures.
  • Manage corporate legal and regulatory risks.
  • Participate in the evaluation and implementation of restructuring, acquisitions, disposals, streamlining, financing and other strategic corporate/business transactions.

Legal Counselling

  • Guide the Board of Directors and Senior Management on decisions which may result in legal risks/actions against the Company.
  • Manage litigation brought against or filed by the Company.
  • Draft and/or review and approve all contracts before execution.
  • Ensure protection of intellectual property rights.

Corporate Secretaryship

  • Act as the Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors, its Committees (Executive, Nomination, Compensation and Audit), and to the stockholders of the Company, including its subsidiaries and affiliates.
  • Manage stockholding movement.
  • Perform corporate housekeeping functions.

Compliance/Risk Management

  • Guide and advise the Board of Directors and its committees on corporate governance requirements, implement compliance mechanisms and ensure compliance with the Corporate Governance Manual and other legal requirements
  • Implement efficient mechanisms to oversee and ensure compliance with national and local legislation, Holcim policies and directives, corporate policies and procedures, (eg. environment, safety.)
  • Implement appropriate planning processes to identify & manage current & future risks for all functions across the organization.
  • Ensure adequate dialogue & strong relationship with key stakeholders.
  • As part of the Management Committee, deal with function/department specific compliance issues.
  • Implement the policies and directives under the Compliance Policy of the Holcim Policy Landscape (Value Creation in a Competitive Environment, Anti- Bribery and Corruption, Legal Reporting, Trade Restrictions)

Corporate Information Officer

  • Implement policies and directives of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Philippine Stock Exchange.
  • Perform and manage reporting and disclosure requirements and issues.
  • Manage the securities market listings and ensure compliance with listing standards.

Manager, Legal Affairs/ Corporate Secretary

Alsons Cement Corporation (March 1999 – September 2002)

  • Prepare and/or review contracts from various group company members and departments.
  • Negotiate contract terms and conditions, document corporate transactions, including investments, acquisitions, disposals and corporate restructuring schemes.
  • Prepare periodic update with planned strategy/ies on all cases pending before judicial or quasi-judicial bodies and agencies.
  • Conduct legal audit and due diligence procedures.

Corporate Secretaryship

  • Act as the Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors.
  • Manage stockholding movement.
  • Perform corporate housekeeping functions.

Corporate Legal Counsel and Asst. Corporate Secretary

Alcantara Group of Companies (July 1991- February 1999)

  • Prepare and/or review contracts from various group company members and departments.
  • Negotiate contract terms and conditions, document corporate transactions, including investments, acquisitions, disposals and corporate restructuring schemes.
  • Prepare periodic update with planned strategy/ies on all cases pending before judicial or quasi-judicial bodies and agencies.
  • Conduct legal audit and due diligence procedures.

Trust Attorney

Asset Privatization Trust (June 1989 to June 1991)

  • Handling of documentation and/or, litigation involving the privatization of assets written off by the Philippine National Bank and the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Confidential Assistant

Court of Appeals, Manila (Nov. 1988 to April 1989)

  • Draft decisions, resolutions and opinions for Justice Justo Torres.

Training Programs Attended

  • Management Seminar, November 2006, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Leadership Seminar, October 2008, Lausanne, Switzerland
  • Senior Management Program, May 2010, Lausanne, Switzerland
  • Holcim Legal Workshop, October 2002, Salzburg, Austria
  • Holcim Legal Workshop, October 2004, Guadalajara, Mexico
  • Holcim Legal Workshop, October 2006, Lucerne, Switzerland
  • Holcim Legal Workshop, October 2007, Lucerne, Switzerland
  • Holcim Training for Legal Specialists, May 2009, Singapore
  • Holcim Training for Legal Specialists, May 2011, Bangkok
  • Corporate Legal Counsel Conference (Marcus Evans), February 2008, Manila
  • Finance for the Non-Finance Executive, March 2008, Asian Institute of Management, Manila
  • Pocket MBA for Lawyers, September 2008, Boston, Massachusetts