Malacañang last night confirmed that former Sen. Gringo Honasan has taken the helm of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, seven months after it was reported that he has accepted the offer to lead the agency.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed in a text message that Honasan has taken his oath of office in Malacañang and joined the Cabinet meeting yesterday afternoon.
“Took his oath (as) DICT Secretary earlier. He is now in the Cabinet meeting,” Medialdea said.
In another text message, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra also confirmed Honasan’s new post, saying President Duterte “just introduced” Honasan to the Cabinet.
Duterte offered the post then held by Eliseo Rio to Honasan in November last year. A few hours after the President’s announcement, Honasan said that he has decided to join the Duterte Cabinet.
In a statement in November last year, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Honasan will be able to lead the DICT well, especially with the entry of the third telecommunications player in the country.
“We are glad that Sen. Gregorio Honasan has accepted the offer of the President to join his official family and head the Department of Information and Communications Technology,” he said.
“With the entry of a provisional new major player in the telecommunications industry, we are confident that the senator would provide good direction and sound management to the DICT, consistent with the President’s priority programs beneficial to Filipino consumers in the areas of information, communications, and technology,” he added. (Argyll Geducos)
