Tag: law

A Journey of Trust and Transformation

Blake Feken’s 20-year journey in the legal profession is a testament to the power of trust, dedication, and integrity. Formerly a senior associate lawyer at a leading firm, he founded his own real estate services company in 2014, specializing in breakthrough negotiations and innovative dispute resolution. Blake’s career has taken him through various fields—from mining and natural resources to corporate law and telecommunications—but his ultimate focus has always been on creating impactful, transformative solutions for his clients. In a recent interview, he shared his insights on the legal profession, balancing work with personal growth, and the importance of trust in client relationships.

Early Beginnings

Atty. Blake credits his mother as his inspiration for becoming a lawyer, albeit in an unexpected way. As a child, he had a natural inclination for debate, often defending his stance with explanations, alibis, and well-reasoned arguments—qualities his mother noticed and encouraged. She saw in him the potential for a legal career, urging him to channel his natural skills into law. This early push laid the foundation for a profession that would later become his passion.

Reflecting on this influence, Blake said, “My mother observed me as a smart-aleck kid who is always quick to argue, defend a position, and explain away certain behaviors. She told me to become a lawyer because I was always acting like one, (in short, mahusay magpalusot)”. It’s a reminder that sometimes, career paths are set in motion long before we realize it.

Blake’s journey in law began with an impressive range of specialties at a top law firm, where he worked on cases involving real estate, mining, government contracts, corporate law, and public utilities, among other areas. Despite his successful tenure, he ultimately felt drawn to a more specialized and impactful role in real estate, founding his company in 2014. Today, he focuses on breakthrough negotiations—finding transformative solutions to complex client issues through tailored remedies and innovative problem-solving.

This shift allowed him to not only bring his legal expertise to bear on real estate issues but also to pursue a purpose-driven approach. For Blake, it isn’t just about resolving disputes or drafting contracts; it’s about providing clients and stakeholders with meaningful, often life-changing, outcomes.

A Day in the Life

Atty. Blake describes his workday as one of deep contemplation and strategic planning. “A typical day would consist of a lot of thinking, reading, contemplating, writing, planning, and strategizing,” he shared. In his current role, he’s as much a strategist as he is a lawyer, using his time to carefully assess his clients’ needs, anticipate issues, and devise effective solutions.

This thoughtful approach aligns with Blake’s dedication to providing clients with not only legal guidance but also a roadmap for successful negotiations and outcomes. His work requires constant reflection, reminding him of the importance of clarity and foresight in making sound legal decisions.

A Defining Moment

One of the most impactful moments in Blake’s career was a situation that demonstrated the immense power of trust. A client once entrusted his firm with a P110 million deposit, without any formal contract. “This effectively demonstrates the power and speed of trust,” he remarked. This moment left a lasting impact on Atty. Blake, underscoring the responsibility and privilege that comes with being a trusted advisor. For him, trust is more than a professional standard—it’s the foundation of his entire practice, built through years of integrity and commitment to clients’ best interests.

Balancing Law with Life

The demands of the legal profession can be intense, and Blake has found balance by focusing on personal growth and renewal. Inspired by Stephen Covey’s concept of “sharpening the saw” from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, he prioritizes self-renewal. This practice has allowed him to maintain clarity, resilience, and a positive outlook on both his work and his personal life.

“By developing the habit of sharpening the saw or self-renewal, I’m able to sustain a balanced life and well-being,” he explained. Blake’s emphasis on self-care serves as a reminder to other professionals that maintaining mental and physical health is crucial to long-term success.

Grateful for the Journey

Looking back on his career, Blake has no regrets. “I am extremely grateful for all the things I had experienced, learned, unlearned, and relearned from life’s everyday teachings,” he reflected. He approaches each experience, challenge, and success as a building block, helping him grow personally and professionally. For Blake, life’s journey is continuous learning, with each lesson contributing to his development and capacity to serve others.

Advice for Aspiring Lawyers

When asked for advice to young lawyers, Blake’s message was clear: “Since lawyering is a noble profession, one succeeds with oneself, with others, and with life, if one consistently extends, cultivates, restores, strengthens, and inspires trust.” For him, the heart of legal practice lies in building trust and maintaining integrity. He urges aspiring lawyers to be principle-centered, consistently embodying honesty, accountability, and ethical responsibility.

Atty. Blake’s advice is both timeless and essential: trust, once established, can unlock new levels of success and fulfillment in a lawyer’s career. He sees law not merely as a profession but as a vocation, a path to serving others and creating positive change.

A Career Rooted in Purpose, Transformation, and Trust

Blake Feken’s story is one of dedication, resilience, and unwavering integrity. From his early days as an associate lawyer to his current role in real estate services, he has built a career centered on trust, innovation, and transformative solutions. His journey serves as an inspiring example for those entering the legal field, reminding them that success in law is not just about technical expertise but also about the values one brings to the practice.

In Atty. Blake’s view, the true essence of being a lawyer lies in cultivating trust and using one’s skills to bring about meaningful, positive outcomes. His commitment to his clients and personal growth exemplify what it means to succeed in law with integrity and purpose.

Atty. Blake Feken with Gus Agosto

Supreme Court Decision on Recognition of Foreign Divorce – Gerbert R. Corpuz vs. Daisylyn Tirol Sto. Tomas and the Solicitor General, G.R.186571

In the case of Gerbert R. Corpuz vs. Daisylyn Tirol Sto. Tomas and the Solicitor General, the Supreme Court addressed the requirements and procedures for recognizing a foreign divorce obtained by a Filipino citizen and a foreign spouse. The decision highlights the conditions under Philippine law for the judicial recognition of foreign divorce decrees and how such recognition must be sought.

Case Background

Gerbert R. Corpuz, a naturalized Canadian citizen, married Filipina Daisylyn Sto. Tomas in 2005. After discovering that Daisylyn was involved in an extramarital affair, Gerbert returned to Canada, where he filed for and obtained a divorce in 2006. Desiring to remarry in the Philippines, he sought to have the divorce decree recognized so he could lawfully remarry. However, Philippine law requires a judicial order for the recognition of a foreign divorce, prompting Gerbert to file a petition with the Regional Trial Court (RTC) for this purpose.

The RTC denied Gerbert’s petition, ruling that, under Article 26 of the Family Code, only the Filipino spouse may file for judicial recognition of the divorce. This provision allows a Filipino spouse to remarry if their foreign spouse has obtained a divorce abroad. Since Gerbert, the foreign spouse, filed the petition, the RTC ruled that he could not avail himself of this provision.

Jurisdictional and Procedural Requirements: Rule 108

The Supreme Court noted that changes in the civil registry must comply with strict jurisdictional and procedural requirements set by Article 412 of the Civil Code and Rule 108 of the Rules of Court. Article 412 stipulates that no entry in the civil register may be altered without a judicial order, while Rule 108 provides a special procedure for the judicial correction or cancellation of civil registry entries.

For the judicial recognition of foreign divorce, Rule 108 mandates the following:

  • The petition must be filed with the RTC in the province where the civil registry is located.
  • All interested parties, including the civil registrar, must be named as parties in the proceedings.
  • A notice of the time and place of the hearing must be published in a newspaper of general circulation.

Since Gerbert’s petition did not fulfill these jurisdictional requirements, the Supreme Court could not consider it as a proper petition under Rule 108.

Recognition of Foreign Divorce under Rule 108

The Supreme Court clarified that the process for recognizing a foreign divorce decree can be integrated within a Rule 108 proceeding. This would avoid the need for separate proceedings, one for recognizing the foreign divorce and another for correcting or canceling civil registry entries. Rule 108 provides an avenue to establish the legal status or rights of a party and can serve as an adversarial proceeding to test the validity of a foreign judgment, especially in terms of jurisdictional issues, notice, fraud, collusion, or legal mistakes.

Conclusion

This case underscores that for a foreign divorce to be legally recognized in the Philippines, especially where one party is a Filipino citizen, it is necessary to meet procedural requirements under Rule 108. While foreign divorces can be recognized, they must be pursued by the Filipino spouse and follow the jurisdictional prerequisites to be effective in altering civil registry entries. This decision reiterates the importance of due process and adherence to procedural requirements in ensuring that foreign judgments are accurately and fairly integrated into Philippine civil law.

Link to the case: https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/1/54282

Passion and Purpose (First of two parts)

The Inspiring Story of Atty. Filomeno A. Arteche III

For over four decades, Atty. Filomeno A. Arteche III has dedicated his life to the legal profession. His journey, marked by dedication, discipline, and an unbreakable commitment to excellence, has led him to represent some of the Philippines’ most notable figures, from Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corporation to the renowned architect Jun Palafox. Today, he stands as one of the most respected figures in private practice, but behind the titles and accolades, he is a family man, a mentor, and a person who values life’s simpler pleasures. Here, Atty. Arteche reflects on his career, the influences that shaped him, and the lessons he wishes to pass on to aspiring lawyers.

Early Beginnings

Atty. Arteche’s path to the legal profession was inspired by his father, a former mayor of Tacloban City and past president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Leyte Chapter. “I knew in high school that I would be a lawyer,” he recalls. His father’s influence was profound, taking him to court hearings and client meetings, sparking in him a fascination with the legal process. Coming from a family with a strong legal tradition, including two lawyer siblings, he pursued his ambition with vigor.

He began his academic journey as a top student, graduating as the valedictorian of his pre-law class at the University of the Philippines. In law school, he continued to excel, graduating as second honor from the Ateneo de Manila School of Law in 1981. His commitment to hard work and diligence laid the foundation for a successful legal career that spans more than four decades.

Career and Growth

Atty. Arteche launched his legal career with the prestigious Angara, Concepcion, Regala & Cruz (ACCRA) Law Offices, where he worked as a Junior Associate for 14 years. His early experiences provided a wealth of knowledge, but it was also during this time that he honed his specialization and became a recognized expert in litigation and corporate law.

Later, he transitioned to corporate roles, serving as Corporate Secretary, Legal Counsel, and Personnel Manager at Philippine Solid Finance and Credit Corporation and as a Corporate Lawyer for Philippine Investment Management Consultants, Inc. (PHINMA). By 2003, he established his firm, Filomeno A. Arteche III and Associates, embodying his entrepreneurial spirit and desire to chart his path in the legal world.

A Day in the Life of a Lawyer

As a seasoned litigator, Atty. Arteche spends much of his day in court, meticulously reviewing cases, jurisprudence, and strategies. His day begins with a clear plan, reviewing schedules and visualizing the tasks ahead. “In life, there must be a plan,” he emphasizes, reflecting his disciplined approach. Whether preparing for a court appearance or strategizing with clients, he is deeply committed to his work, driven by a desire to achieve the best outcomes for those he represents.

Memorable Cases and Professional Impact

One significant moment in his career was defending a mayor from Sagiaran, Lanao del Sur, who had been wrongly accused and included in a “narco list” of the Duterte Administration. Facing immense pressure, Atty. Arteche handled media interviews and worked tirelessly to clear his client’s name. Cases like these, where trust and integrity were on the line, shaped his view on the importance of being a trustworthy advocate.

He also recounts an early encounter with a prominent client, the owner of PHINMA, wearing an exquisite Patek Philippe watch. The moment left an impression on the young Arteche, symbolizing the rewards that hard work and dedication could bring. Today, he proudly owns six Patek Philippe watches, a reminder of the goals he set for himself early in his career.

Balancing Career and Family Life

For Atty. Arteche, family comes second only to God. He proudly speaks of his achievements, not in terms of wealth but in the memories he has created with his family. A memorable example is the time he took his entire family, including in-laws and grandchildren, on a European vacation, following a successful case. “Money can still be recovered, but the bonding, the memory—you cannot buy that,” he says. His family’s happiness and well-being remain his top priority, and he is proud to see all his children now as successful professionals and businesspeople.

He is deeply involved in the Rotary, an organization dedicated to community service, where he actively contributes to helping those in need, particularly the less fortunate. For him, the true essence of making a difference does not lie in holding a political office. He believes that one does not need to be a politician to make a meaningful impact on others’ lives. He is critical of politics, viewing it not only as a chaotic environment but also as a field where corruption often prevails. His passion for community service remains rooted in direct action and philanthropy rather than in the political arena.

Reflections and Regrets

Looking back, Atty. Arteche’s only regret is that his father did not live to see his success. While his mother witnessed and celebrated his achievements, he wishes his father could have been there to see how his influence and mentorship shaped him into the lawyer he became. He values hard work and independence, not relying on inheritance but on personal dedication and a drive to succeed.

Advice for Aspiring Lawyers

For those considering a career in law, Atty. Arteche offers several guiding principles. “Lawyering is a noble profession,” he says, emphasizing the need for passion, commitment, and discipline. He advises aspiring lawyers to develop “Smooth Interpersonal Relationships” (SIR), avoid arrogance, and cultivate good public relations. Personal presentation also matters; he believes a lawyer should always present themselves professionally, starting with a well-tailored barong.

Networking and community service are equally important. By joining civic organizations and serving the community, lawyers can build a reputation that extends beyond the courtroom. Atty. Arteche believes success is a matter of attitude as much as aptitude. “Remember, it’s not simply your aptitude but your attitude that will determine your altitude in life,” he shares.

Legacy and Living Life Fully

At the core of Atty. Arteche’s philosophy is the belief that life is about choices. His journey exemplifies resilience, dedication, and a passion for the law, shaped by the people he has served and the family he cherishes. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he is proud to be a caring son, loving husband, proud father, doting grandfather, reliable brother, and loyal friend.

Atty. Arteche’s story serves as an inspiration, not only for lawyers but for anyone who values hard work, integrity, and family. His advice and example underscore the belief that a life well-lived is one dedicated to both professional excellence and personal fulfillment. (To be continued)

Leaving the Shore: A Challenge to Aspiring Lawyers (Second of two parts)

The phrase “You cannot discover a new ocean unless you have the courage to leave the shore” is a wisdom that resonates deeply in the journey of Atty. Filomeno A. Arteche III, who for over four decades has exemplified what it means to leave the “shore” in pursuit of excellence and truth in the legal profession.

From his early days as a young lawyer, Atty. Arteche embarked on a path marked by dedication, discipline, and a relentless commitment to his principles. Throughout his career, he has represented high-profile clients, including Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corporation and the distinguished architect Jun Palafox. His extensive body of work, integrity, and precision have earned him not only respect in private practice but also a revered place as a mentor and family man. But behind his notable success lies the courage to venture beyond familiar terrain and tackle challenging cases and complex issues.

The Shore of Comfort and the Call to Adventure in Law

For aspiring lawyers, the “shore” symbolizes the structured world of academia and the comfort zone of established routines. The journey of law school, internships, and initial years in practice can create a sense of safety, but true growth only begins when one dares to move beyond these boundaries. For Atty. Arteche, the willingness to lose sight of the shore meant immersing himself fully in cases that tested his skill, challenged his values, and demanded his utmost perseverance. His career is a testament to the rewards of leaving the shore, marked by high-profile cases that required meticulous legal strategy, compassion, and integrity.

Atty. Arteche’s life story offers rich lessons for those just beginning their legal careers. His dedication to excellence didn’t mean a pursuit of accolades alone but rather a steadfast commitment to his clients and the ethical foundations of the profession. Atty. Arteche’s path involved facing unknowns, embracing failure as part of growth, and continuously expanding his capabilities. For aspiring lawyers, his life underscores that leaving the shore is about more than risk; it’s about discovering new capacities within oneself, refining professional values, and committing to justice even in complex, high-stakes situations.

Embracing the Ocean

Pursue Purpose Over Comfort: Atty. Arteche’s journey reflects the value of purpose over convenience. Young lawyers should choose paths that challenge them and align with their core principles, recognizing that real growth often requires leaving behind the predictable.

Commit to Lifelong Learning: Just as Atty. Arteche honed his skills and knowledge over decades, aspiring lawyers must approach their careers as continuous journeys, always seeking to improve and expand their understanding.

Seek Mentorship and Build Character: Known as a mentor, Atty. Arteche exemplifies how guidance from experienced lawyers can provide invaluable insights and shape a young lawyer’s approach to challenges.

Balance Work with Life’s Simple Joys: Beyond the courtroom, Atty. Arteche is a family man and a person who values simplicity. His life reminds young lawyers that while dedication to the profession is vital, finding balance and joy in personal life is equally important.

Atty. Arteche’s career demonstrates that leaving the shore is not a one-time decision but a mindset that shapes a lifelong journey. His willingness to take on some of the country’s most complex cases and his dedication to his clients, family, and community have solidified his legacy in the legal profession. Aspiring lawyers who look to his example will find not only inspiration but also a roadmap for building a career marked by integrity, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose.

As the words remind us, “discovering a new ocean” requires a boldness to face unknown challenges. Atty. Arteche’s story illustrates that for those in the legal profession, stepping beyond the shore isn’t just about professional success; it’s about becoming a lawyer who embodies excellence, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

Read the first part, here is the link https://abagosto.com/2024/11/13/passion-and-purpose/