In between his political appointments to key government departments during the Marcos dictatorship, Laya also served as the first Action Officer of the Intramuros Administration.

He rose to the rank of professor of accounting and director of graduate studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Business Administration (present-day the Cesar E.A.

In 1978, President Ferdinand Marcos appointed Laya to serve as the first Minister of Budget and Management handling the portfolios of distribution of the general appropriations of the government.

[3] Laya was also the president of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Council from 1985 to 1986 and chairman of the Ad Hoc Working Group on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting of the United Nations Center on Transnational Corporations from 1980 to 1983.

[7] In 2022, President Bongbong Marcos appointed Laya to be the Chairman of the Cultural Center of the Philippines with the primary task of overseeing the renovation of the Tanghalang Pambansa, with plans to reopen the building by 2025.

Consequently, Laya is one of two former officials from the previous martial law period to join the Marcos Jr. administration, the other being Juan Ponce Enrile.

[8][9] Laya has authored numerous books and other publications comprising compilations of his various essays and writings on Philippine history, arts, and culture.

Presently, Laya contributes a column titled Wala Lang to the Manila Bulletin, dedicated to his reflections on Philippine art, culture, and politics.