BDB Law is a premier boutique tax law firm based in the Philippines. For over a decade it has established a stellar track record in handling contentious tax disputes and litigations as well as offering high-level tax advisory services. In terms of industry sectors, the firm is recognised in banking and financial services, insurance, energy and real estate. Founding partner Benedicta Du-Baladad is a key contact.
Work highlights
Successfully secured a tax exemption ruling for Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec as a foreign government pension fund manager in the Philippines, overcoming previous unsuccessful attempts and achieving approval in six months. The landmark ruling established a significant precedent for foreign government entities seeking tax exemptions, demonstrating innovative legal arguments and strategic engagement with tax authorities to facilitate international investment into the Philippine market.
Successfully challenged a P33.3 billion ($583 million) tax assessment for a leading Philippine investment house, reducing the final liability to P1 million through expert analysis of accounting principles and tax regulations. The landmark case involved demonstrating to the Bureau of Internal Revenue that their assessment methodology incorrectly treated non-revenue cash flows as taxable income, establishing an important precedent for future tax disputes in the financial services sector.
Successfully secured cancellation of P2.5 billion in tax assessments for a leading electronic load distribution company by demonstrating procedural violations and lack of factual basis in the Bureau of Internal Revenue's audit process. The landmark Tax Court ruling established important precedent on due process requirements and proper authorisation for tax audits, reinforcing taxpayer protections against arbitrary assessments.
