MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has named Henry Rhoel Aguda, former president and CEO of UnionDigital Bank, as the new secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced Aguda’s appointment on Thursday, highlighting his expertise in digital transformation, banking, and cybersecurity.
Aguda replaced Ivan John Uy, who resigned earlier this month. Before taking on his new role, Aguda served as the Digital Infrastructure Lead at the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), which advises the government on private-public sector collaborations.
His career spans leadership roles in banking, telecommunications, and technology. He previously chaired City Savings Bank and UBX Philippines and held executive positions at Union Bank, Globe Telecom, and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). Aguda has also been a director at Insular Health Care, BancNet, and the Philippine Clearing House Corp.
A distinguished academic achiever, Aguda earned his Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics degrees cum laude from the University of the Philippines. He also completed executive programs at Harvard Business School and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Currently, Aguda is pursuing a master’s degree in Applied Business Economics at the University of Asia and the Pacific.
His appointment signals the administration’s push for stronger digital innovation and cybersecurity in the country.
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