Senator urges new DICT head to keep undersecretary
Newly-appointed Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) secretary Sen. Gregorio Honasan II has been urged to retain Eliseo Rio Jr. as an undersecretary. A former military colonel, Honasan received his appointment paper from Malacañang on Thursday. He is replacing acting secretary Rio, who had held the post for six months. Sen. Ralph Recto said it will be a waste of talent if the government let Rio go. Eliseo Rio Jr. has two engineering degrees, placed 4th in the Electronics Engineer (ECE) Licensure Examination, and is an ex-general with 50 years of experience in the field of telecommunications. Honasan’s appointment though is still subject to approval by the Commission on Appointments (CA), a congressional body. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said questions on Honasan’s competence in the field of ICT will be up to the CA. Republic Act No. 10844 states that no person may be appointed DICT secretary unless they have at least seven years of competence and expertise in ICT.
