Palace dismisses report on replacing DICT chief Aguda

MANILA, Philippines — Palace press officer Claire Castro on Friday dismissed a circulating report claiming that Henry Aguda is set to be replaced as secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

According to the online report, former presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda is being considered as Aguda’s replacement.

READ: Marcos names digital technocrat Henry Aguda new DICT chief

But in a Viber message to reporters, Castro said the claim is “not true.”

Aguda became head of the DICT in March 2025 and has since faced several controversies, including issues related to procurement and the agency’s internal management.

His name was also dragged into the issue of budget insertions after resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co claimed that P5 billion was supposedly allocated to the DICT’s Free Public Internet Access Fund, while P1.5 billion was appropriated for other programs. Aguda denied the allegations.

Before leading the DICT, Aguda served as president and chief executive of UnionDigital Bank in August 2024. 

He was also the Digital Infrastructure Lead at the Private Sector Advisory Council created by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to assist his administration in boosting innovative synergies between the private and public sectors. /das