Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra Appoints Energy Law Leader Kiril Caral as Senior Counsel
Appointment reinforces firm’s commitment to energy, natural resources, petroleum, and infrastructure law
Metro Manila, Philippines – September 1, 2025 – Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra is pleased to announce the appointment of Atty. Jose Ma. Emmanuel “Kiril” Caral as Senior Counsel and Head of the firm’s Energy Practice Group. With over three decades of legal and executive leadership in the energy and petroleum sectors, his appointment strengthens Gorriceta’s position in Energy Law including natural resources, petroleum, and infrastructure.
Atty. Caral brings a distinguished track record in regulatory compliance, stakeholder engagement, dispute resolution, and supporting multi-billion-dollar investments. He has held senior leadership roles including Head of Legal and Chief Administrative Officer of Prime Energy Resources Development B.V. (formerly Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. or SPEX), Managing Director and Head of Legal of SPEX, Head of Legal of the Shell companies in the Philippines, and Senior Legal Counsel for Shell Exploration and Production Asia Pacific based in Singapore, supporting business development and operations in Indonesia, Australia, Brunei, Malaysia, and India.
Atty. Caral has successfully led high-stakes corporate transitions, international arbitration, and public-private partnerships, with deep expertise in corporate governance, ESG, legal risk management, and stakeholder relations.
“As Gorriceta continues to expand its industry-focused practice areas, Kiril’s leadership, experience, and strategic insight bring immense value to our Energy Practice,” said Mark S. Gorriceta, Chairman & Managing Partner of Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra. “His appointment reinforces our ability to provide high-impact legal counsel to clients navigating complex energy and infrastructure challenges.”
A British Chevening Scholar, Atty. Caral earned his Master of Laws with Distinction from the University of Edinburgh. He also holds a Juris Doctor and an A.B. in Economics from Ateneo de Manila University, where he was College Student Council President and received the Departmental Award for Economics.
Currently, Atty. Caral serves as Senior Adviser to Prime Energy and as Chairman & President of the Malampaya Foundation Inc., advocating for sustainability and social investment. He is an active member of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN) and the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA).
“I am honored to join Gorriceta at this pivotal stage of growth,” said Atty. Caral. “The energy sector is undergoing a significant transformation, and I look forward to building a practice that combines legal excellence with strategic foresight—helping clients succeed in an evolving and dynamic energy landscape.”
The appointment of Atty. Jose Ma. Emmanuel “Kiril” Caral not only marks a significant milestone for Gorriceta internally and externally but also underscores the firm’s commitment to leading in Energy Law and supporting the Philippines’ sustainable development agenda.
