DICT Sec. Aguda apologizes over Zuckerberg House post — Rep. Poe

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda has apologized for the misunderstanding or miscommunication caused by an earlier agency post concerning Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s supposed appearance before the House of Representatives, according to FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe Llamanzares.

During the continuation of deliberations on the DICT’s proposed budget, House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos asked whether the House had any role in calling for Zuckerberg’s appearance.

Poe clarified that the House did not call on Zuckerberg or Meta to appear before the plenary.

“Secretary Aguda apologizes for any misunderstanding or miscommunication regarding the statement that DICT had first posted. In fact, immediately after, DICT took down that post,” Poe said.

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DICT backtracks on statement that House called for Zuckerberg

Poe then read into the House record the DICT’s updated statement clarifying reports and public discussions arising from its budget hearing.

“The DICT confirms that no House resolution was issued directing or inviting Meta or its Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg to appear before the house in relation to the hearing,” the DICT said in the statement read by Poe.

The department also said its budget deliberations were deferred pending the submission of additional information and documents requested by House members.

DICT said it is currently consolidating and addressing the requirements and will present the requested information during the continuation of its budget deliberations.

The agency reiterated that it respects the budget deliberation process and remains committed to cooperating with Congress and complying with requests for information and documentation.

DICT also said it continues to work with Congress, government agencies, technology platforms and other stakeholders to advance online safety, strengthen platform accountability, enhance cybersecurity and protect Filipino users, particularly children and young people.