Malacañang noted on Friday that President Bongbong Marcos has directed the new Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Henry Aguda, to prioritize the country's cybersecurity efforts.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro acknowledged that cyber-attacks have already been observed and are affecting the country.
She further noted that the President's directive focuses on the administration's digitalization program, improving internet connectivity nationwide, and prioritizing cybersecurity, especially during the campaign period.
"Kaya ang unang-una po ang direktiba po ng Pangulo sa bagong appointed na DICT Secretary ay unang-una po ang programa po ng administrasyon patungkol po sa digitalization, pati po iyong internet connectivity across the country, and of course cyber-security ang kailangan nating pagtuunan lalung-lalo na po sa ngayong panahon na mayroong pangangampanya at campaign period," said Castro.
Paglaganap ng cybercrimes sa bansa, pinatututukan ni Pang. @bongbongmarcos sa bagong DICT secretary | RH 14 @leth_narciso, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/goEHqxBXcj
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) March 28, 2025
Castro also emphasized that the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and all relevant agencies will work together to combat the spread of fake news.
In the previous week, President Marcos appointed Aguda as the new Secretary of the DICT, replacing Ivan John Uy, who resigned earlier this month.
