MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the resignation of Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda and announced the designation of People’s Television Network (PTV) General Manager Lino Cayetano as the new Presidential Communications Office (PCO) secretary.
During the “Kapihan with the Media” press conference in Singapore on Sunday, October 11, Marcos said Malacañang had initially planned to withhold the announcement of Aguda’s resignation until a replacement was identified.
However, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed the resignation ahead of the Palace’s official announcement.
Marcos remarked that Remulla had “spilled the beans,” referring to the Ombudsman’s disclosure in connection with an investigation into alleged ghost connectivity projects.
The President also announced Cayetano’s designation as the new PCO chief, replacing the outgoing secretary, Gomez, who served for 15 months.
Gomez’s appointment had been bypassed by the Commission on Appointments.
Cayetano, a former mayor and congressional representative of Taguig City, is also a film director and has served as general manager of the government-owned People’s Television Network.
He will become the sixth Presidential Communications Office chief under the Marcos administration.
The leadership changes come as the administration faces questions surrounding alleged irregularities in government connectivity projects.
Further details on Aguda’s resignation and the appointment of his successor at the DICT were not immediately provided.
