109 L. P.

Leviste Street, Makati City, Metro Manila

(02) 810 – 8726
francisco.bernabe@fblawoffice.com.ph

September 21, 2019

Mr. Antonio L. Sanchez

1024 F.O. Santos St., Umali Subdivision,
Barangay Batong Malake, Los Baños, Laguna

Dear Mr. Sanchez,

I am writing in regards to your interest in availing the services Francisco-Bernabe
Law Office (“FB Law Office”), in particular our Managing Partner, Atty. Allen Windel V.
Bernabe to represent Mr. Antonio L. Sanchez (the “Client”) in connection with your
qualification to be released under the 2013 Good Conduct Time Allowance Law. I am pleased
that you will be using the resources of FB Law Office for services in Civil, Commercial,
Criminal Litigation, and Family Law. The purpose of this letter is to set forth the terms and
conditions of our engagement.
As previously discussed, FB Law Office is a private law firm focusing in criminal
litigation of some of the most renowned criminal cases in the country. Our current billing
rates are Php 6,000.00 per hour, but since you are availing the services of our partner, Atty.
Bernabe, his current billing rate per hour is Php 12,000.00. In addition, law students will
also participate in the litigation of this case, and will be supervised by the associates of Atty.
Bernabe. These law students come from UP College of Law and Ateneo Law School that are
specialized in Criminal Law proceedings. As a condition of receiving the discounted rates
offered by FB Law Office, we require all clients to acknowledge and agree to this matter.
Under certain circumstances, there may be issued on which it wold be appropriate for
you to obtain assistance outside of FB Law Office such as complex and sophisticated tax
planning, significant financings, and acquisitions. If such an issue arises during the course of
our representation, we will call it to your attention so that you may consult with an attorney
or other professional expert in that particular field.
Information that Client provides FB Law Office will be kept confidential in
accordance with our obligations under applicable codes of professional responsibility.
Our Billing Policy is attached to the bottom of this letter. Client shall pay FB Law
Office pursuant to our Billing Policy for the time and expenses incurred in performing
services on your behalf. Please note that participating law firms may bill Client directly for
up-front and/or out-of-pocket expenses. Client shall pay the firms directly for out-of-pocket
expenses and other disbursements incurred by the firms. By signing this letter, you
acknowledge having received, read, and understood both this letter and the Billing Policy
and agreeing to their terms.
 You acknowledge that either FB Law Office or the Client may terminate our
engagement and relationship at any time for any reason. At the time our representation of
the Client concludes, all unpaid fees and costs for our legal services become due and payable
and all files will be returned to the Client upon written request, except for FB Law Office
internal documents and drafts of documents which we may retain. Upon termination of our
engagement, FB Law Office and Atty. Bernabe will have no obligation to provide further legal
assistance or advice on inform the Client of any changes in the law.
Although it is impossible to estimate total legal expenses for the Client, FB Law Office
is committed to providing high-quality, cost-effective representation of the Client’s interest.
We look forward to a mutually rewarding relationship while the Client is participating in FB
Law Office.
By signing below, you are acknowledging and agreeing that we may list you on our
website as a client.
This letter should be signed by an authorized representative of the Client and
returned to FB Law Office, attention John Carlo R. Francisco at the address above, to
confirm that you agree with the terms and conditions of our engagement. We suggest that
you keep a copy of this letter for your records.

Sincerely,

John Carlo R. Francisco

Senior Partner, FB Law Office

Agreed to and accepted as of the date first written above”

Mr. Antonio L. Sanchez
By: ___________________________
Title: __________________________
 Billing Policy

Firstly, we charge for all student time and work performed, including, but not limited to,
conferences, telephone calls, travel time, drafting documents, and research. Professional
services of law student are billed on an hourly basis. Time is recorded in multiples of tenths
of an hour and a minimum of 1/10th of an hour is billed for each activity performed.
FB Law Office typically requires that its clients pay retainers based on estimated time
necessary to complete the given matter prior to the commencement of services. This is to
alleviate the need for FB Law Office to expand resources collecting bills. In this regard, you
agree that FB Law Office will require a retainer of Php 50,000.00 in connection with the
current matter. If FB Law Office runs over the retainer amount, you agree that FB Law Office
may require you to pay additional retainer funds. Any retainer funds not billed against will
be returned to you.
We provide clients with timely statements for professional services performed and expenses
incurred. Statements are due and payable in full upon receipts (unless covered by retainer).
Fees for professional services are and will be based upon standard hourly rates for all
services rendered, and unless otherwise specified, are subject to adjustment upward as we
review our rates from time to time.
Fees for professional services do not include expenses that FB Law Office incur in connection
with representing you. These expenses are in addition to such fees and appear separately on
the billing statement as “Disbursements.” Such costs include, but are not limited to: long-
distance telephone charges, courier services, postage, photocopying, travel and related
expenses, word processing, delivery, filing fees, computerized legal research, and transcripts.
Photocopies will be billed at Php 0.25 a copy. Mileage will be billed at Php 100.00 a mile. We
also reserve the right to request that you advance any substantial out-of-pocket expenses.
From time to time, participating firms may require you to advance any substantial out-of-
pocket expenses, such as search or filing fees, prior to such services being performed.
Since you are getting the services of our Managing Partner, Atty. Allen Windel V. Bernabe,
his professional fees differ from that of the other partners of the firm. His billing rate is at
Php 12,000.00 per hour, and due to the notoriety of this case, an insurance policy worth Php
200,000.00 has been requested by Atty. Bernabe to assure that he is safe and secured upon
hearing your case. All other fees mentioned by this policy will apply separately from the
hours incurred by Atty. Bernabe in this case.
Each statement reflects professional services rendered from either the start date of your
participation in FB Law Office or the date of your last bill, depending upon the Client’s status
in FB Law Office. Services will be set forth on a daily basis, and all disbursements for the
billing period will be listed as available. Fees and expense items not available for inclusion on
a statement will be shown on subsequent statement. We reserve the right to charge interest
on all balances left unpaid for more than 30 days. Interest on unpaid balances shall accrue at
the rate of fifteen percent (15%) per annum (computed on a basis of a 30-day month and
360-day year) from the first day of the following month. If legal action is required to collect
for non-payment, you shall also pay all costs of collection, including but not limited to, a
reasonable attorney’s fee of not less than twenty percent (20%) of the amount of any unpaid
balance. In addition, failure to pay any statement within sixty (60) days from its date may, at
out option, result in withholding further legal services; provided, that we will not withhold
services without first notifying you of the stoppage.
In the event that our professional services are terminated, whether at your instance or ours,
you shall pay for all professional services rendered and Disbursement made up to and
including the date of termination.