From 2009 to 2016, he served as chief operating officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) under President Benigno Aquino III.

Lapid returned to the government agency in 2021 after his appointment as TIEZA chief by President Rodrigo Duterte on January 5, 2021.

Lapid ran under the Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid but lost placing 19th in the polls, behind coalition mate, Jericho Petilla.

[2] In a senatorial forum held on January 29, 2016, at the University of the Philippines – Diliman, he supported peace in Mindanao and same-sex marriage, which gave him one of the best approval applause from the students of UP.

Lapid did the film Apoy sa Dibdib ng Samar (2006) with Cristine Reyes, directed by Jose Balagtas.