MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed a former digital banker to head the Department of Information and Communications Technology. 

Malacañang announced that Marcos appointed Henry Rhoel Aguda, former president and CEO of UnionDigital Bank, as the new DICT Secretary, replacing Ivan John Uy, who resigned earlier this month. UnionDigital Bank is one of the six digital banks to secure a license from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

The Palace said Aguda previously served as the Digital Infrastructure Lead at the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), a that assists the administration in linking the private and public sectors.

"His specialty is in digital transformation, digital banking and financial crimes," Malacañang said.

Before joining UnionDigital Bank, Aguda served as the board chairman of both City Savings Bank and UBX Philippines. 

"He also served as director of Insular Health Care, BancNet, Metaverse Ventures and Platforms and Philippine Clearing House Corp.; senior executive vice president, among other positions, at Union Bank of the Philippines; and chief technology officer at Amihan Global Strategies, Globe Telecom, Government Service Insurance System, and Digitel," Malacañang said.

"Aguda was in charge of software development services at WeServ Systems International, led Nextel's information operations, was assistant vice president at Bayantel Communication Holdings, and managed the corporate data network for the Manila Electric Company."

"He completed his Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics degree at the University of the Philippines, graduating with honors (cum laude) in both instances."

"He also took graduate studies in Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School, Strategic Alliance Program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and master’s degree in Applied Business Economics at the University of Asia and the Pacific (in progress)," the Palace added.