MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has appointed Social Security System (SSS) president and chief executive officer Robert Joseph de Claro as the new secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Marcos announced De Claro’s appointment after administering the oath-taking of newly elected officers of the Malacañang media groups at the Palace yesterday afternoon.
“I have already signed the ad interim appointment of the new DICT secretary. He is Robert Joseph de Claro. He is the current SSS president and CEO,” Marcos said.
“Besides that, he also has a very strong background in terms of the digital economy and the digital world,” the President added.
De Claro took his oath of office before the President along with newly appointed secretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Lino Cayetano yesterday.
The President confirmed during a media interview in Singapore on Sunday that he accepted the resignation of Henry Aguda as head of the DICT.
De Claro joined the SSS in January 2023 and chairs the SSS’s Information and Technology Collection Committee, the President said.
De Claro represented SSS on the board of Union Bank and chaired the board of Union Digital Bank.
Responding to a question about the new PCO head, Marcos said Cayetano has always been part of his communications group.
Cayetano previously served as PTV general manager. He is the sixth person to head the PCO under the Marcos administration.
Cayetano was asked during a chance interview at Malacañang about his siblings, Senators Alan Peter and Pia, who are critics of the Marcos administration.
“Regardless of the political spectrum we’re in, what’s important is that we are fighting for the same things,” the new PCO chief said.
“I call on all of the President’s critics, all of the President’s supporters, in the next two years let’s come together, let’s make sure we support programs that would benefit the Filipino people,” Cayetano said.
Appointment lauded
Presidential Legislative Liaison Officer chief Joey Salceda commended President Marcos for De Claro as the new DICT secretary.
“Heartfelt congratulations to new DICT Secretary de Claro, a friend from my days in the private sector. Secretary de Claro is a Computer Science major with extensive experience in the startup sector,” Salceda said.
“His days in the SSS resulted in greater fiscal sustainability and increases in pensions at the same time – a rare combination of results. I look forward to working with him especially on crucial policy issues on digital transformation and the AI revolution,” Salceda, former congressman and National Economic and Development Authority chief, added. – Delon Porcalla