Edsel F. Tupaz
Faculty profile

Edsel F. Tupaz

Senior Partner · Head, Data Privacy, Cybersecurity & AI Initiatives
Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra · Manila

Dual-qualified under the Philippine and New York Bars. Edsel advises Fortune 500 and NASDAQ-listed companies, and many of the most impactful technology companies in Southeast Asia, on AI, data privacy, and cybersecurity. He is the contributor of the Philippines AI Note for PrinciplesAI.

Biography

Practice and focus

Edsel is a Senior Partner of Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra and heads the Firm’s Data Privacy, Cybersecurity, and AI Initiatives practice group. He also heads the Special Projects group.

His practice focuses on data privacy & cybersecurity, special projects, infrastructure law, technology media & telecommunications, banking and financial services, general corporate services, government procurement under R.A. 9184, and public policy. He is a legal adviser to Fortune 500 and NASDAQ-listed companies and many of the most impactful technology companies in Southeast Asia.

Edsel serves as a Data Protection Officer for leading startups and incumbents. He advises on regulatory aspects of financial technology, cryptocurrency and blockchain-based initiatives, e-commerce, and financial services. He routinely assists clients in setting up a business presence in the Philippines.

Practice areas

Areas of focus

Data Privacy Cybersecurity AI Initiatives Technology, Media & Telecoms FinTech / Crypto / Blockchain E-commerce Banking & Financial Services Infrastructure Law Government Procurement (R.A. 9184) Public Policy Special Projects General Corporate
Public service & career

Across all three branches of Philippine government

Before joining the Firm, Edsel worked in all three branches of Philippine government — the executive, legislative, and judiciary. He briefly worked as an attorney at SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan.

Executive
Senior public official, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
Intermittently served as OIC Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Priority Projects, and OIC Director for Legal Services. Led right-of-way acquisition for priority projects under the PhP 8–9 trillion (US$160–200 billion) Build Build Build programme — the most ambitious infrastructure programme in Philippine history.
Legislative
Director, Office of a Philippine Senator
Worked at a legislative office of a Philippine Senator.
Judiciary
Judicial clerk to Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr.
Supreme Court of the Philippines.
Private practice
Attorney, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan
Earlier private-practice role.