Edwin Lacierda

In this Filipino name for natural children, there is no middle name nor paternal family name, but the surname or maternal family name is Lacierda.
Edwin Lacierda
Presidential Spokesperson
In office
June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2016
PresidentBenigno S. Aquino III
DeputyAbigail Valte
Preceded byEduardo Ermita
Succeeded byErnesto Abella
Personal details
Born (1962-05-08) May 8, 1962
EducationDe La Salle University
Ateneo de Manila University
Asian Institute of Management
Known forPayMongo

Edwin Lacierda (Tagalog pronunciation: [lɐˈʃeɾda]; born May 8, 1962) is a Filipino lawyer, technology entrepreneur, and former government official. He was a member of the Philippine Cabinet and served as Presidential Spokesperson under President Benigno S. Aquino III. Lacierda is a co-founder of the fintech firm PayMongo.

Early life and education

Lacierda was born into a Chinese Filipino family, with a Chinese father and a Filipino mother.[1][2] He completed his secondary education at St. Jude Catholic School.[2][3] He earned a Communication Arts degree from De La Salle University. He then pursued legal studies at the Ateneo de Manila University, where he obtained his LLB.[3]

Career

After completing law school, Lacierda began his career in private legal practice.[3] He served as a co-convener of the Black and White Movement, a civil society group that championed transparency and accountability in the Philippine government.[4] Notably, he acted as legal counsel for whistleblower Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada during the Senate investigation into the NBN–ZTE controversy.[5]

Lacierda also taught constitutional law at the Far Eastern University Institute of Law and at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.[6][7]

Role in government

Lacierda first gained national visibility as spokesperson for Benigno S. Aquino III during the 2010 presidential campaign.[3][4] After Aquino’s election, he was appointed Presidential Spokesperson, a post he held from June 30, 2010 to June 30, 2016. In this capacity, he regularly briefed the media on executive policies and addressed issues involving governance, human rights, and foreign relations on behalf of the administration. He also responded to public concerns and clarified government positions during significant national events throughout Aquino’s term.[3][4][7]

Technology entrepreneurship

After his public service, Lacierda co-founded PayMongo in 2019, a Philippine fintech and online payments platform where he served as Chief Operating Officer (COO)[8][9][10] until his departure in 2021.[11][12]

He later founded another fintech venture, PayRex, where he currently serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and co-founder.[13][14]

Television hosting

In 2025, Lacierda also made his mark in broadcast media, co-hosting The Spokes on Bilyonaryo News Channel alongside former Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Trixie Cruz-Angeles. The program explores politics, governance, and current events, delivering thought-provoking conversations that challenge conventional perspectives.[15]

Personal life

Lacierda speaks four languages: Filipino, English, Hokkien, and Mandarin.[3]

References

  1. ^ Esmaquel, Paterno II (8 June 2015). "Malacañang on China dispute: Aquino has Chinese roots". Rappler. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  2. ^ a b Bordadora, Norman (5 July 2012). "Palace answers Beijing raps vs PH: 'Xiao xi ni tien'". INQUIRER. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Porcalla, Delon (1 August 2010). "The President's Men and Women: Spokesman won't defend a public lie". Philstar. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "Public Profiles". INQUIRER. 22 January 2011. Archived from the original on 26 January 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  5. ^ "Jun Lozada one year after". VERA Files. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  6. ^ "Cabinet Profiles". Presidential Communications Office. pcoo.gov.ph. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  7. ^ a b "The shift to digital: e-commerce in the new normal – Events". Legal500. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  8. ^ Wang, Cat (5 July 2022). "Fintech PayMongo Weans Philippines Shops Off Cash By Simplifying Digital Payments". Forbes. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  9. ^ Barreiro, Victor Jr (25 September 2019). "Filipino payments platform PayMongo secures $2.7 million in seed funding". Rappler. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  10. ^ Shu, Catherine (25 September 2019). "Manila-based payments processing startup PayMongo raises $2.7 million in seed funding". TechCrunch. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  11. ^ Yeo, Stefanie. "The path that led to PayMongo's crisis". Tech in Asia. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  12. ^ Wang, Cat (23 August 2022). "Philippine Fintech Startup PayMongo's CEO Takes Leave Of Absence, Breaks Silence On Company Investigation". Forbes. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  13. ^ "PayRex Brings Billease BNPL to Thousands of Filipino Merchants". Fintech News Philippines. 19 November 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  14. ^ Lamiel, Carl (18 November 2025). "Payrex Partners with Billease to Offer Buy Now, Pay Later for Philippine Merchants | WalasTech". WalasTech. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  15. ^ "The Spokes: Thoughts of the Spokes | November 4, 2025 - BNC". Bilyonaryo News Channel. 4 November 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
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