International construction arbitration conference set

The Philippine Institute of Construction Arbitrators (PICA), in collaboration with the Construction Industry Authority of Philippines (CIAP) and the Construction Industry Arbitration Commissions (CIAC), will hold an international conference on construction arbitration at the New World Renaissance Hotel in Greenbelt Complex, Makati City on Friday, July 2 from 8 to 5 p.m.

This conference is intended for persons and companies involved in the construction industry in the Philippines, particularly the CEOs/COOs/CFOs of companies with large construction projects in the Philippines; as well as owners or contractors, their lawyers, architects, engineers, consultants, quantity surveyors, construction managers or project managers. As disputes are unavoidable and litigation of disputes is expensive and time-consuming, whether the venue is in the Philippines or (moreso) outside, construction arbitration before CIAC is not only an attractive alternative – it is often the only available and sensible alternative.

Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Reynaldo S. Puno will keynote the event, which is geared towards creating greater awareness of the features and advantages of arbitration and mediation, rather than the lengthy and costly court litigation, in settling construction disputes in the Philippines and in neighboring countries. Eminent personalities from the Philippines and other countries will speak on such topics as the newly-enacted "Alternative Dispute Resolution Law of the Philippines" (Republic Act No. 9285), "Arbitration Law Reforms in Hong Kong," "International Arbitration Law and Enforcement of Foreign Awards in Singapore," "Arbitration of Construction Disputes Involving Foreign Contractors," "Testimony of a Consultant as an Expert Witness in Local and International Arbitration" and "Expert Testimony on Construction Defects or Failure."

Three foreign experts in construction arbitration have confirmed to speak during the conference, namely Dr. Piotr Moncarz, Robin Somers Peard, and Chia Ho Choon. Dr. Moncarz is a forensic evidence expert and he shall be presenting his paper entitled "Expert Testimony on Construction Defects or Failures." Peard, on the other hand, is the Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Center (HKIAC), and he will discuss Construction Arbitration in "Hong Kong," while Choon is a partner of the Khattar Wong & Partner Law Office based in Singapore. He will speak on the topic "International Arbitration Law of Singapore and Enforcement of Foreign Awards.

The other speakers are our very own colleagues, UP Professor, former Judge and National Amnesty Commission Chairman lawyer Alfredo F. Tadiar, former Dean and managing partner of Benitez Parlade Africa Herrera Parlade and Panga Law Offices, lawyer Custodio O. Parlade, and PACB Member of UE-Caloocan Chancellor and Dean of Engineering, Dr. Ernesto S. de Castro. Tadiar will discuss the rules and procedures of the Construction Industry Arbitration Commission (CIAC) governing arbitration and mediation. Parlade will speak on the recently enacted Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Act, RA No. 9285. Dr. de Castro, on the other hand, will share his experiences as a consultant witness in both local and international arbitration.

Being international in scope, participation is expected from individuals and companies from neighboring countries, many of whom have expressed interest on how CIAC arbitration is conducted.

This event is organized by the Committee on International Conference chaired by Dr. Ernesto S. De Castro. The committee members are as follows: Dean Custodio O. Parlade, lawyer Beda G. Fajardo, Ret. Judge Federico J. Alipala Jr., Salvador P. Castro Jr., Joel J. Marciano and lawyer Maria Clara B. Tankeh-Asuncion.

This international conference is also under the leadership of Engr. Eliseo I. Evangelista II, as president of the PICA.

For further inquiries and reservations, contact the PICA Secretariat at tel. nos. 811-6671 to 73 or Delia Parlade at 897-0853 and 897-9313.