Jollibee Group’s Vem Bautista-King Earns Multiple Honors in Asian and Philippine Legal Circles
Jollibee Group’s Atty. Vera Marie “Vem” Bautista-King, General Counsel for Corporate & Commercial Global, continues to earn recognition across Asia and the Philippines as a leader in corporate law, most recently named finalist for In-House Lawyer of the Year and Woman Lawyer of the Year at the ALB Philippine Law Awards.
The Jollibee Group celebrates another employee milestone as Atty. Vera Marie “Vem” Bautista-King, General Counsel for Corporate & Commercial Global, EMEAA, and Legal Business Partner for Global and Philippines, continues to earn recognition from some of Asia’s most prestigious legal publications.
Atty. Bautista-King was included in Asian Legal Business (ALB) Asia’s 40 Under 40 list of outstanding lawyers throughout Asia, the only Filipino in-house lawyer to have this distinction.
Previously, she was a finalist in both the In-House Lawyer of the Year and Woman Lawyer of the Year categories at the recent ALB Philippine Law Awards.In 2023, she was among the four senior legal leaders of the Jollibee Group recognized by Legal 500 as one of the top General Counsels in the country in its inaugural GC Powerlist Philippines. These underscore her growing influence and leadership in the regional legal community.
Championing Legal Excellence and Global Growth
Atty. Bautista-King has been with the Jollibee Group for eight years, steadily rising through the ranks from manager to her current leadership role, where she leads key pillars that include Corporate & Commercial (covering Governance, Capital Markets & Securities, and M&A), EMEAA, Franchising, and Ethics (Governance).
Her work has been instrumental in several of the company’s landmark initiatives, including the acquisition of Compose Coffee in South Korea—recognized as the Best M&A Transaction in Korea (2024)—and the issuance of the Jollibee Food Corporation’s US$300 million senior unsecured guaranteed bond, marking the company’s return to the global bond market in 2025. She has also contributed to advancing Jollibee Group’s ambition to be a franchisor of choice in the global QSR industry through the development of new policies and processes, EMEAA’s market expansion, and bringing foreign franchised brands to the Philippines.
Recognition of Leadership and Integrity
The ALB Asia 40 Under 40 list recognizes the region’s top young legal professionals under 40 who are shaping the future of corporate law through leadership, innovation, and impact. Atty. Bautista-King’s inclusion as the only Filipino in-house lawyer on the list reinforces not only her personal achievements but also the Jollibee Group’s commitment to excellence and the outstanding quality of its legal transactions and corporate work.
“Professionally, this recognition is highly significant. It affirms the excellence of the legal work we deliver within the Jollibee Group and the trust our business places in our team. It reflects the high standards we’ve set in governance, cross-border expansion, and franchising, as well as the impact of thoughtful, business-centered counsel,” Bautista-King said. “Personally, I hope this sets a good example for my children, showing them that hard work, integrity, and perseverance can open doors and create opportunities to lead and inspire others.”
Empowering Women in Law
As a woman leader in a global organization, Atty. Bautista-King continues to be a role model for young lawyers, particularly women who aspire to excel in the legal profession while also raising young families.
“Strive for excellence in everything you do. Work hard, keep learning, and never hesitate to ask questions. Find mentors and build strong teams—you grow faster together. I’m grateful to the Jollibee Group for being a place where young women lawyers can thrive and be excellent in all our roles in life. I’m also thankful to my boss and mentor, Val, and to my core deal teammates, Mona and Keith of Corplan, who have been part of many important projects with me.”
These recognitions from Asian Legal Business reflect not only her individual excellence but also the collective strength of the Jollibee Group’s Legal, Ethics, and Compliance function, which continues to be recognized as one of the top-performing in-house teams in Asia.
“We take pride in seeing our next generation of leaders being recognized across Asia, a testament to our commitment to developing homegrown talent and empowering leaders to grow into impactful roles,” said Atty. Valerie Feria Amante, Jollibee Group’s Global Chief Legal, Ethics, and Compliance Officer. “Vem’s achievements point to the high caliber of talent within the Jollibee Group Legal team and to our shared commitment to governance, excellence, and integrity across all markets.”
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About Jollibee Group
Jollibee Foods Corporation (PSE: JFC) (the “Company”) is one of the world’s fastest-growing restaurant companies, driven by its purpose of spreading joy through superior taste. It manages and operates a portfolio that includes 19 brands (the “Jollibee Group”) with over 10,000 stores and cafés across 33 countries.
The Jollibee Group’s portfolio includes nine (9) wholly-owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger and Tim Ho Wan), five (5) franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, Yoshinoya, Common Man Coffee Roasters, and Tiong Bahru Bakery in the Philippines), and ownership stakes in other key brands like The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (80%), Compose Coffee (70%), SuperFoods Group that operates Highlands Coffee (60%), and bubble tea brand Milksha (51%). The Company also has membership interests in Tortazo, LLC, along with Chef Rick Bayless, for Tortazo in the U.S., and in Botrista, a leader in beverage technology.
The Jollibee Group’s global sustainability agenda, Joy for Tomorrow, underscores its commitment to sustainable business practices across food safety, employee welfare, community support, good governance, and environmental responsibility, among others. These focus areas are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
The Company has been recognized as the Philippines’ Most Admired Company by the Asian Wall Street Journal, named one of Asia’s Fab 50 Companies, and listed among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers and Top Female-Friendly Companies. The Company is also a four-time Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award recipient and featured in TIME’s World’s Best Companies and Fortune’s Southeast Asia 500 List.
To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com
