A battle of legal gladiators looms in Ortigas-Bayot case | Lifestyle.INQ

OCTOBER 27, 2022

One of the most celebrated concubinage cases in recent memory among Manila’s oldest and richest families— namely, the case filed by Susana “Susie” Bayot-Ortigas against husband Francisco “Pacqui” Ortigas III—is shaping up to be a battle of legal gladiators that may prove to be more gripping than the impeachment trial (zzzzz).

Susie has enlisted CVC Law, otherwise known as The Firm, run by lawyer Pancho Villaraza and partners. Meanwhile, in a move that has raised some eyebrows, Pacqui has hired the formidable Lorna Kapunan.

Kapunan has handled some celebrated marital and relationship cases involving settlement of property and amicable negotiations, such as the case of Fred and Josine Loinaz Elizalde (she was Fred’s counsel), James Yap and Kris Aquino (representing Yap), and even the controversial Hayden Kho.

The common denominator, and probably a Kapunan trademark: minimal bloodshed, and all parties happy. Before that happens, though, we  can expect some deft maneuvering by some of the country’s best legal minds. Niel who?

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