Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) secretary Henry Aguda has elevated two career officials to senior leadership positions in a reorganization that also appears to have displaced undersecretary Christina Faye M. Condez-de Sagon and assistant secretary June Vincent Manuel Gaudan.
Under Department Order No. HRA-020 dated Aug. 10, director Maria Teresa Magno-Garcia was designated officer-in-charge chief of staff of the Office of the Secretary in a concurrent capacity.
Magno-Garcia will oversee the DICT’s day-to-day administrative and operational functions, including its bureaus, services, project management teams and delivery units. She was also given direct supervision and control over the Internal Audit Service.
“In the exigency of the service and pursuant to existing laws, rules, and regulations, Director Maria Teresa Magno-Garcia is hereby designated, in a concurrent capacity and in addition to her existing functions, duties, and responsibilities, as officer-in-charge, chief-of-staff, Office of the Secretary, effective immediately,” the order said.
The International Cooperation Division and Legislative Liaison Division were also placed directly under the Office of the Secretary.
Mimaropa regional director Emmy Lou Versoza-Delfin, meanwhile, was promoted to OIC assistant secretary for regional development. The position was previously held by Gaudan.
Versoza-Delfin, a former head of the agency’s ICT Industry Development Bureau, will report directly to Christian Mark Guingcangco, another official who moved up in the reorganization.
Guingcangco, previously an assistant secretary, was promoted to OIC undersecretary for special concerns. He was placed in charge of the DICT’s attached agencies, Infostructure Management Bureau, Free Public Internet Access Program, Regional Operations Coordination Service, regional offices and Postal Regulation Division.
Guingcangco became a lawyer after passing the 2025 Bar examinations.
The promotions give Magno-Garcia, Versoza-Delfin, and Guingcangco broader authority over the department’s central and regional operations.
At the same time, the order did not mention De Sagon or Gaudan, whose positions were given to other officials.
De Sagon had until recently been publicly identified by the DICT as both undersecretary for special concerns and Aguda’s chief of staff. Magno-Garcia and Guingcangco have now been designated to those posts.
The new assignments indicate that De Sagon has been relieved of the corresponding functions. The order, however, did not expressly terminate her appointment as undersecretary, give her another portfolio or clarify whether she remains with the department.
De Sagon was considered a powerful figure in the DICT because of the two positions she concurrently held and her proximity to Aguda. As recently as July, DICT materials continued to identify her as undersecretary for special concerns and chief of staff.
When De Sagon joined the department in April 2025, Aguda described her as a key member of his leadership team.
“As Chief of Staff, Usec. Faye will be key to driving our priorities with focus, speed, and seamless coordination. Her leadership will be crucial in our efforts to drive a digital-first economy, enhanced cybersecurity, inclusive tech for all, and transparent governance,” Aguda said at the time.
Versoza-Delfin’s designation, meanwhile, indicates that Gaudan has been replaced as assistant secretary for regional development. The order did not reassign Gaudan or clarify whether he remains with the agency.
The DICT has not publicly explained why the responsibilities of De Sagon and Gaudan were reassigned or disclosed their current status.
The same order designated undersecretary Leonido Pulido III as vice chairperson of the department’s organizing committee and chairperson of its ASEAN Technical Working Group.
The changes took effect immediately and will remain in force until further orders.
