Marcos picks digital technocrat as new DICT chief

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has named a bank executive and digital technocrat as the new chief of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Malacañang announced yesterday.

Henry Rhoel Aguda, former president and chief executive officer of UnionDigital Bank, will replace Ivan John Uy, who resigned from the DICT this month.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office said Aguda’s experience spans the banking, technology and telecommunications sectors. He specializes in digital transformation, digital banking and financial crimes.

The new DICT secretary was the digital infrastructure lead at the Private Sector Advisory Council, which was formed by Marcos to strengthen coordination and partnership between the  government and the private sector.

Aguda was the board chairman of City Savings Bank and UBX Philippines and worked as director of Insular Health Care, BancNet, Metaverse Ventures and Platforms and Philippine Clearing House Corp.

He was the senior executive vice president at Union Bank of the Philippines and chief technology officer at Amihan Global Strategies, Globe Telecom, Government Service Insurance System and Digitel.

He likewise led the software development services at WeServ Systems International and Nextel’s information operations aside from serving as assistant vice president at Bayantel Communication Holdings. Aguda also managed the corporate data network for Meralco.

Aguda finished his juris doctor and bachelor of science in mathematics degree at the University of the Philippines, both cum laude.

He took graduate studies in advanced management program at Harvard Business School and strategic alliance program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is taking his master’s degree in applied business economics at the University of Asia and the Pacific.