Rappler's latest stories on information and communications technology
DepEd ramps up online education platform ahead of new school year
The education department is doubling the capacity of DepEd Commons to accommodate at least 17 million users by August 24
Dito Telecom to miss July 2020 target for cell sites amid lockdown
Dito Telecommunity chief administrative officer Adel Tamano says securing permits to build towers would not be as difficult, had it not been for the pandemic
Esperon denies he had Rio removed from DICT
It was the President's prerogative to accept ICT undersecretary Eliseo Rio Jr's dormant resignation, says National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr
Rio suspects Esperon behind his removal from DICT
The removal of the former DICT official opens a Pandora's Box of issues in the department and in the government's coronavirus response
RJ Jacinto replaces Rio in DICT
The Duterte adviser is pushing for a common cell tower policy which Eliseo Rio Jr criticized as being 'anti-competitive' and in violation of telco franchises
After 4 months, Duterte accepts Rio resignation
The DICT undersecretary offered to quit in January amid frustration with the department's confidential and intelligence funds
DSWD, DICT launch ‘ReliefAgad’ app for electronic cash aid distribution
Beneficiaries of the government’s coronavirus cash aid program can choose to receive their subsidies through mobile banking apps like GCash and PayMaya
[PODCAST] Para saan ba ang P300M intel funds ng DICT?
Bakit nga ba lumobo ang confidential funds ng DICT?
[EDITORIAL] Lumolobo ang intel funds ng DICT. Kabahan na tayo.
The Honasan-Rio scuffle exposes the trend in bloated intelligence funds that support anti-people activities, including spying on private citizens
DICT's P800-M confidential funds: 2nd biggest in 2020 budget
The DICT, under scrutiny for its questionable release of P300 million in confidential funds in 2019, gets an even bigger sum than the government's anti-drug agency in 2020
DICT's Rio, Honasan 'settle differences' over P300-M intel funds
'My resignation has not yet been approved by the President. I could not leave my post until my resignation is accepted by him,' Rio tells Rappler in a text message
DICT's defense over intel funds 'deceiving and unbelievable' – Rio
Former DICT undersecretary Eliseo Rio Jr dares the agency to reveal the results of the P300-million confidential operation that supposedly dealt with cybersecurity threats
DICT admits using P300 million for surveillance
The Department of Information and Communications Technology says laws allow it to conduct 'lawful monitoring and surveillance,' in the face of cyber threats
DICT's unspent P300-M budget for projects went to intel fund
Undersecretary Eliseo Rio resigns over the issue of confidential and intelligence funds
DICT Undersecretary Eliseo Rio Jr resigns
Rio has yet to address reports that he allegedly left after finding corruption within the agency
DICT 'confident' in Dito Telecom rollout by July
Dito Telecommunity, the Philippines' 3rd major telco, says it is 'on track' for its July 2020 rollout
PH soon to have single online portal for prisoner, criminal data
But agencies are yet to digitize their data that will be uploaded to the newly-launched National Justice Information System (NJIS)
PH Internet pioneer Benjie Tan dies
Benije Tan is credited as the engineer who connected the Philippines to the Internet in 1994
Free Wi-Fi For All Program rolls out in San Juan City
The Department of Information and Communication Technology chooses San Juan as its pilot city for the Free Wi-Fi for All Program
Dito, DICT dismiss Chinese spying concerns about deal with AFP
Under the agreement, the China-backed telco will pay for its use of the military's facilities – but in kind
CA confirms Gringo Honasan as DICT chief
(UPDATED) DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan II says he would prioritize providing better connectivity in the country
COA hits delays in implementation of P398-M PAGASA project
State auditors say the P398-million fund transfer to the DICT 'had no recorded liquidation reports and information as to the implementation of the project for almost two years'
COA questions DICT's free Wi-Fi project
(UPDATED) State auditors ask why the United Nations Development Programme has essentially taken more control over the free Wi-Fi project of the Department of Information and Communications Technology
DICT chief Honasan defends his credentials
'I've been chairman of labor, environment, defense, public order.... If may problema, eh di 'wag ako,' says new Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gregorio Honasan II
New DICT chief Honasan promises free Wi-Fi, tablets for poor kids
Newly appointed Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gregorio Honasan II aims to connect far-flung areas to the internet
Gringo Honasan takes oath as DICT secretary
Despite legal issues, former senator Gringo Honasan takes his oath as Cabinet member, 7 months after his appointment was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte
DICT proposes faster, more transparent way to hold PH elections
From using barcode stickers to totally junking Smartmatic's vote counting machines, the Department of Information and Communications Technology proposes new ways to make the Philippine elections faster and more transparent
READ: DICT statement on U.S. blacklisting of Huawei
The Department of Information and Communications Technology says the impending US trade ban against Huawei will have 'little impact' on the Philippine telecommunications industry
DICT Assistant Secretary Carlos Caliwara dies
Carlos Mayorico Caliwara had been an assistant secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology since January 2017
Mislatel rollout may be pushed back to after elections – DICT
Congress is currently on break until May 19 and only has a window from May 20 to June 7 to work on Mislatel's franchise issues
Gov't to deploy modern tech, boat skimmers for Manila Bay rehab
The government is banking on volunteers and modern technology to clean Manila Bay
DICT probes DFA passport data mess
The Department of Information and Communications Technology reminds the Department of Foreign Affairs to comply with cybersecurity provisions
DICT no more? Sotto hints Honasan may be appointed to another agency
Senator Gringo Honasan's appointment as DICT Secretary faces two legal obstacles
Faeldon’s son nabbed in drug bust | Evening wRap
Watch Rappler's evening wRap with Quita Chuatico
DICT orders NTC to make phones unlockable after initial lock-in period
The memorandum order provides telco subscribers with the option to switch among compatible service providers after initial lock-in period has been completed
Jitters over China in PH telco industry? They've long been here – DICT
The Department of Information and Communications Technology says Philippine companies have been dealing with Chinese firms
Senate panels back gov't shutdown of social media accounts
(UPDATED) The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, under the Office of the President, wants the DICT to be authorized to shut down social media accounts that are deemed 'inimical to national interest'
Gringo Honasan appointed DICT secretary
(UPDATED) The longtime senator is now tasked with delivering faster internet and telecommunications services to Filipinos, a major promise of President Rodrigo Duterte
China Telecom, DICT ink deal for submarine broadband infrastructure
The meeting between DICT Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr and China Telecom Chairman Yang Jie coincides with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Manila
Senators expect 'silent workhorse' Honasan to do well in DICT
Senators say the immediate challenge of Senator Gregorio Honasan II as DICT chief is to assure Filipinos that the third telco would not jeopardize national security
DICT Secretary Rio: Don't replace me just yet
'I see no urgency in Senator [Gringo] Honasan taking over, at least until I fully finish this job on the third telco,' says acting DICT Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr
Honasan accepts Duterte's offer to head DICT
Administration Senator Gregorio Honasan II says he has decided to accept the offer 'for a better Philippines, a better government, for the Filipino people, and for a better future for our most precious children'
Duterte may appoint Honasan DICT chief as early as Nov 12
The decision was made during a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte on October 29, says Senate President Vicente Sotto III
FAST FACTS: 3rd telco player selection rules
Here are the requirements for companies vying for the Philippines' 3rd major telecommunications player slot
LIVE: Bidding for the 3rd major telco slot
The bids for the 3rd major telecommunications player slot will be opened on Wednesday, November 7
LIST: Potential 3rd telco bidders
10 companies are poised to slug it out on November 7 for the 3rd major telecommunications slot. Get to know their track record and financial health.
Sotto says Honasan to leave Senate for DICT
Senate President Vicente Sotto III says the number of senators 'may be reduced' to 22 when the Senate resumes session in November
Villar company to bid as 3rd telco – DICT
Acting DICT Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr says Streamtech Systems Technologies has to look for a foreign partner with at least 10 years of experience in a nationwide telco business
WATCH: Senate hearing on 3rd telco selection
Watch the hearing live on Rappler on Monday, October 22
NOW Corp blames DICT's Rio for drop in shares, eyes charges
But Information and Communications Technology Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr fires back, saying that NOW Corporation's wound could have been self-inflicted
