Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) secretary Henry Aguda has submitted his resignation after First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos asked Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to remove him over a series of controversies, industry sources told Newsbytes.PH.
The sources said the First Lady was displeased with the negative coverage and social media backlash surrounding Aguda, prompting her to seek his removal.
Lawyer and blogger Jesus Falcis first reported Aguda’s supposed resignation in a Facebook post on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
“Nag submit na daw ng letter of resignation si DICT Secretary Henry Aguda sa Malacañang at nasa PMS na ang letter,” he wrote, referring to the Presidential Management Staff.
The sources identified the controversial blocking of Discord as a major factor behind the move. The decision drew criticism from members of the technology community, some of whom called for Aguda’s resignation.
His participation in a roundtable discussion organized by online platform BitDigest became the tipping point, the sources said. Aguda allegedly attended despite being advised against it, hoping to use the forum to explain his position.
The sources also cited the controversy over alleged ghost projects under the government’s free Wi-Fi program, which the Ombudsman had raised, as contributing to dissatisfaction with his leadership.
They said Aguda’s frequent media appearances and social media statements compounded concerns that his handling of the controversies was hurting the administration.
As pressure mounted, Aguda reportedly tried to speak with Marcos Jr. at Malacañang before the president’s departure for Singapore but was unable to meet him, according to the sources.
Among those being considered to succeed Aguda are DICT undersecretary David Almirol, former DICT undersecretary Monchito Ibrahim, and former Globe Telecom executive Anton Bonifacio, the sources said.
Bonifacio recently resigned from Globe, where he served as executive vice president and chief intelligence and trust officer.
Almirol is reportedly being lined up as officer-in-charge once Malacañang announces Aguda’s departure, according to the sources.
