Mananatiling kalihim ng Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) si Henry Aguda sa gitna ng kumakalat na ulat na nagbitiw umano siya sa gabinete, ayon sa Malacañang nitong Miyerkules, October 7.
Ayon kay Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, wala silang impormasyon na nagbitiw si Aguda at patuloy itong nanunungkulan bilang DICT secretary.
“Secretary Aguda remains as DICT secretary,” ani Castro.
Sinabi rin ng Palasyo na patuloy na nagtatrabaho si Aguda sa departamento. Ayon kay Castro, nagpadala pa ang kalihim ng larawan kay Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez bilang patunay na nasa trabaho siya.
Nauna nang naglabas ng pahayag si Aguda kung saan sinabi niyang batid niya ang mga ulat tungkol sa kanyang posisyon ngunit nananatili siyang nakatutok sa pagpapatuloy ng trabaho ng DICT.
“I am aware of the reports circulating regarding my position as Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT),” ani Aguda.
“At this time, I remain focused on carrying out my responsibilities and ensuring the continuity of the Department’s work.”
Binigyang-diin niya ang papel ng DICT habang nagho-host ang Pilipinas ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ngayong taon, partikular sa regional engagements sa technology at innovation.
“In particular, as the Philippines hosts ASEAN this year, it is important that DICT continues to effectively fulfill its role in advancing our regional engagements on technology and innovation, including the ASEAN AI MSME event this week,” sabi niya.
Nilinaw din ni Aguda na kinikilala niya ang kapangyarihan ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa mga usapin tungkol sa kanyang gabinete.
“As Secretary of DICT, I serve at the pleasure of the President, and I fully recognize and respect the President’s prerogative in matters concerning his Cabinet and his administration,” ani Aguda.
“My focus remains on carrying out my responsibilities and serving the Filipino people to the best of my ability,” dagdag niya. /Bistado