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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Not true': Palace denies report Lacierda being eyed as new DICT chief

'Not true': Palace denies report Lacierda being eyed as new DICT chief

Published Mar 13, 2026 01:55 pm
Former presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda (SM)
Former presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda (SM)

Malacañang has denied an online report claiming that former presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda is being considered to replace Henry Aguda as head of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro dismissed the report, saying there is no discussion within the Palace about replacing Aguda.

“Not true,” Castro said in a text message on Friday, March 13.

Reports claimed that Lacierda is among the personalities reportedly shortlisted to replace Aguda, along with DICT Undersecretary David Almirol and Renato Paraiso, who heads the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.

Aguda’s possible replacement was supposedly already under discussion with potential candidates undergoing vetting, according to the report.

Lacierda served as presidential spokesperson during the administration of Benigno Aquino III from 2010 to 2016.

After leaving government, he entered the private sector and co-founded fintech firm PayMongo, where he served as chief operating officer until 2021, before establishing another fintech company, PayRex.

Despite the speculation, the Palace maintained that there is no plan to replace the current DICT secretary.

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Claire Castro DICT Edwin Lacierda
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