InsiderPH learned that, come March 1, 2025, one of the most storied law firms in the Philippines — Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles — will officially rebrand simply as “Romulo Buenaventura.”
The new trade name reflects the firm’s chair emeritus Ricardo Romulo and its current chair Jose “Chito” Buenaventura.
But the change has left some legal insiders wondering: What happened to ‘Mabanta’?
With some Googling skills, one would see that the name refers to the late Roman Mabanta Jr., a University of Santo Tomas law alumnus who also went to Columbia and Harvard University. He was an expert in commercial law and went on to become a co-founder of the law firm with four other colleagues — serving as the chair of its litigation group — before passing away in 2008.
For years, the firm’s name evolved as partners came and went, following the traditional rule that only living partners could be included. (Actually, since the 1990s, the shorthand name for the firm has been “Romulo Mabanta”.)
That rule, however, no longer applies today.
Today, the firm’s senior equity roster is composed of Cynthia del Castillo, Jose Salvador Mirasol, Louie Ogsimer, Herminio Ozaeta Jr., and Perry Pe, while younger lawyers make up the rest of the team. And that may be part of the reason for the rebrand.
“The newer lawyers don’t know Atty. Mabanta,” one of the firm’s members said.
There’s also a clear marketing benefit to be had. The leaner “Romulo Buenaventura” name is easier to market in today’s fast-paced corporate landscape.
Regardless of the rationale, this move signals a subtle yet significant shift. It’s a nod to heritage while embracing a modern, more streamlined identity — one that aligns with how law firms worldwide are rethinking their legacy names.
Of course, the more important question is: What’s next for Romulo Buenaventura as the firm navigates today’s more competitive legal landscape?
Senior Reporter
