The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) confirmed that undersecretary for cybersecurity Julius Gorospe has resigned but denied reports linking his departure to alleged internal disputes and irregularities involving Asean cybersecurity initiatives.
In a statement, the DICT said articles published by Bilyonaryo News Channel (BNC) and carried across its platforms — including Bilyonaryo, Abante, and Politiko — contained “significant factual inaccuracies” regarding the circumstances of Gorospe’s resignation.
The agency acknowledged that Gorospe has stepped down from his post but disputed claims that his resignation stemmed from internal disagreements or alleged issues surrounding Asean cybersecurity preparations.
“Usec. Gorospe has remained a trusted and valued member of the DICT leadership team,” the department said.
The DICT noted that since joining the agency in 2025 as special assistant to the secretary and later serving as undersecretary for cybersecurity, Gorospe “has consistently supported and advanced the department’s cybersecurity agenda.”
The agency also rejected claims that he had been excluded from Asean-related engagements. According to the DICT, Gorospe had actively represented the secretary in various cybersecurity fora, including several Asean meetings, in coordination with undersecretary and chief of staff Faye Condez-de Sagon, as part of the Philippines’ preparations for its Asean chairmanship.
“These engagements are fully aligned with the Office of the Secretary and reflect the Department’s strategic priorities in ensuring robust regional collaboration and cybersecurity readiness,” the statement read.
The DICT likewise denied allegations that the Terms of Reference (TOR) for Asean cybersecurity initiatives had already been finalized in favor of a specific private firm, particularly Trends and Technologies.
“There is no truth to the allegation that the TOR for Asean cybersecurity initiatives had already been finalized in favor of a particular private company,” the agency said, describing the claim as “baseless and misleading.”
For his part, Gorospe also disputed claims linking his resignation to internal conflict.
“I categorically deny the assertions made in the article as to the circumstances of my resignation. Nothing could be further from the truth,” he said.
Gorospe said the Cybersecurity Bureau remains aligned with the department’s leadership and ongoing initiatives, particularly preparations related to regional cooperation.
“The Cybersecurity Bureau I lead has always been aligned with Sec. Henry Aguda’s vision of a secure cyberspace, where every Filipino is safe from financial scams and other illicit content,” he said, adding that the team has been working to strengthen cyber-defense efforts in line with international standards ahead of the Philippines’ Asean chairmanship.
He said he would be leaving government service “by end of March” and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve.
“I am departing with nothing but gratefulness for the extraordinary opportunity to serve our country,” Gorospe said.
The DICT also raised concern over what it described as the publication of inaccurate information without prior verification.
“Responsible journalism demands fact-checking, particularly on matters that directly impact public trust in government institutions,” the agency said.
The department urged the BNC Group and its affiliated publications to correct what it described as inaccuracies and adhere to high standards of journalistic integrity.
