Former DICT acting chief Rio takes oath as undersecretary

Former Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. has officially taken his oath as undersecretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Rio’s appointment was released by Malacañang on July 1, the DICT said in a statement on Wednesday.

DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan II said Rio will be his most senior undersecretary for operations.

The former acting chief, who oversaw the search for the third telco player, took his oath of office before Honasan at the DICT Office of Secretary.

“I am happy to receive this new assignment. Like a good soldier, I will follow orders,” Rio said.

Rio will continue the programs and projects “close to his heart” such as the operations of the third telco, the common tower initiative, and the proposed new election automation system, according to the DICT.

Honasan quipped that the DICT will be headed by “two lolos.”

“You have now two lolos to help you manage the newest department, so let’s help each other for the country and for our most precious and strategic resources –our children,” the new DICT chief said.

The 71-year-old Honasan revealed that the 74-year-old Rio is his baptismal godbrother, childhood friend, and mentor at the Philippine Military Academy.

“Expect our best. With so much good will and technical competence, we are going to harness this. It’s the Filipino people who should expect our best,” the DICT chief added. —Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News