Marcos taps SSS chief de Claro as new DICT secretary

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday announced the appointment of Robert Joseph Montes de Claro, the current president and chief executive officer of the Social Security System, as the new secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

De Claro will assume the position vacated by Henry Aguda, whose resignation was confirmed by the President during a media briefing. The move marks a significant shift in the leadership of the agency responsible for the country's digital transformation and telecommunications policy.

As SSS chief, de Claro oversaw operations at one of the Philippines' largest social security institutions. His appointment to the DICT portfolio signals the administration's focus on leveraging his administrative experience to advance the nation's information technology and communications infrastructure agenda.

The DICT plays a crucial role in implementing the government's digital economy strategy and managing the country's telecommunications landscape. De Claro's tenure at the SSS, which manages benefits for millions of Filipino workers, is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the technology department's operations.