A corporate dealmaker turned nation-builder, Paul Salanga reflects on the shift from private practice to public service. You made a significant shift from private practice into the role of General Counsel for the Philippines’ first sovereign wealth fund. What motivated that transition, and what were the biggest adjustments you faced early on? After more than 26 years with Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos, one of Manila’s largest law firms, the move from private practice to the public sector was both a major change and a natural evolution. I was looking for a new challenge, and MIC offered an opportunity unlike any other. The work would still centre on corporate, M&A, financing and capital markets, but now viewed through the lens of a government-owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC). I was also inspired by our President and CEO, Joel Consing, a long-time client whose own move from a blue-chip multinational to government service embodied a real commitment to nation-building. Joining him at MIC was both an honour and an extraordinary opportunity. One of the biggest adjustments was joining a government startup where many systems had to be built from scratch. MIC is sui generis—a one-of-a-kind GOCC—so even our government partners sometimes had to determine which rules applied. Navigating this landscape required adaptability, patience and creativity. Despite the challenges, the opportunity to contribute to national development has made the transition deeply meaningful. How did your experience in private practice help—or fall short— when dealing with the different expectations, scrutiny and accountability of the public sector? Private practice equipped me well for MIC’s transactional and advisory work. Years of handling complex deals...