Almirol defends integrity amid suspension

• IN PHOTO: DICT Undersecretary David Almirol Jr.

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary David Almirol Jr. denied any conflict of interest and defended his integrity following his six-month preventive suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a Facebook post, Almirol said he joined government in good faith and made personal sacrifices to help advance the country’s digital transformation.

“I joined the government in good faith with the genuine intention and passion to bring good change for our country. It was not easy, it was painful, it was a huge sacrifice to make,” Almirol said.

He said his work at the DICT was guided by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to streamline government services, eliminate unnecessary ICT expenditures, improve efficiency and use technology to promote transparency and curb corruption. Addressing the allegations against him, Almirol maintained that he completed his divestment from Multisys Technologies Corporation on September 1, 2022, less than a month after assuming office on August 4, 2022, and within the 60-day period required by law. “The late filing of the GIS was out of my control,” he said, referring to the company’s General Information Sheet submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Almirol also clarified that Multisys was not directly awarded any DICT contract. He said the contracts in question were awarded to PLDT group companies that had been providing services to government even before he joined the department.

He maintained that all the contracts underwent the Bids and Awards Committee process and competitive bidding.

The Ombudsman’s suspension order cited eight government contracts awarded between November 2023 and May 2025 to companies with financial relationships with Multisys. It also questioned the timing of Almirol’s divestment based on corporate filings.

Despite disputing the allegations, Almirol said he respects the Ombudsman’s mandate and will comply with its order while cooperating fully with the proceedings.

“My commitment to serving the Filipino people and advancing digital government remains sincere and firm,” he said.

“I stand by my integrity and my record of public service. I trust that the complete facts will speak for themselves. I pray that God will free us with the truth,” Almirol added.