“Recto understands the urgency of restoring public confidence through firm, corrective action”
DIFFERENT sources and political observers have whispered to us that DICT Secretary Henry Aguda may be near the exit door after he repeatedly refused to investigate the controversies surrounding Undersecretary Faye Sagon.
In a radio interview heard nationwide – now resurfacing as pressure mounts – Aguda did not simply defend Sagon; he dismissed calls for scrutiny and insisted there was nothing to probe.
For many in government and political analysts, that refusal marked a troubling signal that accountability within DICT was being subordinated to personal loyalty.
The allegations involving Sagon are serious enough to demand an independent review, according to those whose eyes are keen on the scene as people demand transparency and accountability in governance.
Several media reports have linked her to the same budget insertion controversy associated with former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.
While de Sagon has denied these accusations and signaled she may pursue a legal remedy, analysts say her name continues to surface in connection with these alleged insertion networks.
Compounding this, reports of internal complaints – purportedly from DICT personnel – have accused Sagon and her associate, whose identity has been made public, name June Vincent S. Gaudan, of manipulating bid specifications and steering projects toward favored suppliers.
These concerns, along with questions surrounding potential conflicts of interest, have amplified calls within Congress and the policy community for a formal investigation.
Instead of initiating one, Aguda chose to shield Sagon, creating the perception that DICT was protecting insiders rather than addressing legitimate issues.
Aguda’s handling of the matter was further undermined by his confrontation with the Senate during the budget deliberation.
Senator Risa Hontiveros did not merely question his statements – she dismantled them by degrees.
When Aguda insisted that certain procurement guidelines were “not yet published,” Hontiveros produced documents proving they had been released months earlier.
Her vexation was telltale as she accused him of misleading the chamber, leaving what observers call the DICT’s leadership red-faced and placing Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, the agency’s budget sponsor, in a cramped position.
At a concurrent period when the Marcos administration is battling public distrust brought on by controversies in multiple agencies, the DICT cannot be led by officials burdened with unanswered allegations and disputes over their own credibility.
In this context, Aguda has become, in the eyes of analysts, a liability, not an asset.
The growing talk of his impending removal is not only justified; it is necessary, political observers and analysts say.
The DICT’s mandate in digital governance requires leaders who embody clarity, discipline, and public trust.
Replacing Aguda would send a clear signal the administration is serious about cleaning house and restoring order – starting with an agency that cannot function effectively under a cloud of doubt and uninvestigated wrongdoing.
This puts Executive Secretary Ralph Recto at a pivotal moment.
Coming off the recent controversy involving the reported P60-billion PhilHealth fund issue, Recto understands the urgency of restoring public confidence through firm, corrective action.
Observers say removing Aguda would not only address the integrity concerns engulfing the DICT, but also allow Recto to demonstrate that the administration is committed to accountability – especially at a time when every questionable decision is magnified under public scrutiny.
The same observers say if Aguda is ultimately removed, it will be because he defended the one issue he should have investigated—and remained silent on the one question he should have answered.
In this case, silence may well be the final factor that may ultimately cost him his post.
