Marcos names banker Henry Aguda as new DICT chief

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Henry Rhoel Aguda, former president and CEO of UnionDigital Bank, as secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

He replaced Ivan John Uy who resigned early this month.

In a statement released Thursday, the Presidential Communications Office said Aguda has an extensive background in banking, technology, and telecommunications.

He was former digital infrastructure lead at the Private Sector Advisory Council, a body created by the president to promote collaboration between the private and public sectors.

Before UnionDigital Bank, Aguda held key leadership positions, including board chairman of City Savings Bank and UBX Philippines.

He was also a director in a number of organizations, including Insular Health Care, BancNet, Metaverse Ventures, and Platforms, and the Philippine Clearing House Corp. Aguda's career includes senior roles at Union Bank of the Philippines, Globe Telecom, and the Government Service Insurance System.

With a specialty in digital transformation, digital banking, and financial crimes, Malacañang said it expects Aguda’s leadership to move forward the government's digital agenda.

Aguda earned his juris doctor and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics degrees from the University of the Philippines, graduating cum laude in both.

He has also completed graduate studies at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Applied Business Economics at the University of Asia and the Pacific.