Almirol’s technical edge, Lacierda’s governance strength

• Courtesy of Department of Information and Communications Technology, Dave Almirol/ Former presidential spokesperson and PayMongo co-founder Edwin Lacierda

DECODED: TECH, TRUTH, AND THREATS

When I asked my Facebook followers who they believed should become the next secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Dave Almirol dominated the responses.

The informal poll, conducted from October 6 to 11, gathered 855 reactions. DICT Undersecretary for e-Government David “Dave” Almirol Jr. received 602 likes, representing 70.4 percent of all reactions. Former presidential spokesperson and PayMongo co-founder Edwin Lacierda received 126 hearts, while CICC Executive Director Undersecretary Aboy Paraiso received 25 care reactions. The remaining 102 reactions were not assigned to a candidate.

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The preference was clear. Among those who participated, Almirol was the overwhelming choice.

Of course, a Facebook poll cannot establish the position of the entire technology community. But the response suggests strong support for Almirol among the people following this discussion on my page. To me, it also reflects a desire to see someone with substantial technical experience lead the department.

That question has become more urgent following Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla’s announcement that Malacañang had accepted Henry Aguda’s resignation. Choosing the next DICT chief means choosing who will lead an institution responsible for much of the country’s digital future.

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Among the three rumored successors I included in the poll, Almirol stands out for a career rooted in programming, software development, and building technology systems. Before entering government, he founded Multisys Technologies, a Filipino software solutions company. His technical credentials come from work in the field.

For someone who will lead the DICT, that is a significant advantage.

I also had personal experience with Almirol during the eGovPH hackathon. That encounter gives my assessment a personal dimension. I know him beyond the name being mentioned in succession reports, having encountered him in a setting focused on Filipino technology talent and government innovation.

I support the idea behind that initiative. Bringing developers into the process of improving public services recognizes something government should take seriously: Filipino technical talent can help solve Filipino problems. Almirol described the hackathon as a search for solutions that could make government services more efficient and accessible.

However, my preference for strong technical leadership does not mean I dismiss what Edwin Lacierda could contribute.

In my opinion, Lacierda’s experience in governance would also be an asset to the DICT. His background as a former presidential spokesperson, combined with his involvement in financial technology, gives him a different set of strengths. He brings experience in government communication and an understanding of how technology can serve businesses and consumers.

Those capabilities belong in the discussion. Government digital transformation involves agencies with different mandates, established procedures, competing priorities, and public responsibilities. A good platform still needs effective policy, institutional cooperation, and leadership capable of getting people to work together.

Almirol’s technical background makes him a compelling candidate. Lacierda’s governance experience also gives him something valuable to offer. These strengths could serve the department well, whether through its leadership or through meaningful collaboration.

As an ICT head and cybersecurity advocate, I want a secretary who can question technical proposals, recognize security risks, and demand systems that work. I also want someone who understands accountability, protects personal data, and treats public trust as part of every technology decision.

Technical competence must be accompanied by sound governance. Citizens should be able to complete transactions without unnecessary trips, repeated submissions, or uncertainty about whether their information is safe. Businesses need reliable digital services. Government agencies need systems they can maintain and secure.

My poll does not decide who gets the position. That remains the President’s prerogative. But its results offer a clear signal from the people who participated: Dave Almirol deserves serious consideration.

I share that view. His technical background gives him a strong foundation for the job, while Lacierda’s governance experience deserves recognition as another potential asset to the department.

Whoever is appointed must turn those qualifications into results. The next DICT chief should be judged by the services that work, the systems that remain secure, and the confidence Filipinos gain in dealing with their government.