THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has confirmed the resignation of Henry Rhoel R. Aguda as the agency’s secretary.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for the trust and opportunity to have served as Secretary of the DICT,” Mr. Aguda said in a statement on Monday.
His resignation was first reported over the weekend, after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said that Mr. Aguda stepped down following issues over ghost internet projects.
The DICT said in September that it is set to release a tool to help monitor the operations of free Wi-Fi sites amid reports of ghost internet projects.
Mr. Aguda was appointed as DICT secretary in March 2025, replacing former DICT chief Ivan John E. Uy.
At present, Mr. Marcos has yet to name Mr. Aguda’s replacement; while the DICT has not yet disclosed its officer-in-charge.
“Under his leadership, the DICT strengthened efforts to expand digital connectivity, promote cybersecurity and data privacy awareness, accelerate government digitalization, and champion emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence to improve public service delivery and productivity for all Filipinos,” the DICT said in a separate statement. — Ashley Erika O. Jose