President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named James Arandila Layug, a former official of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Malacañang announced on Thursday. Marcos also appointed Geraldine Marie Berberabe-Martinez and Gideon De Villa Mortel as members of the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations (GOCCs).
“Mr. James Layug, formerly with the DICT is named Assistant Secretary of the Department of Agriculture,” Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles she said in a statement.
Layug erstwhile headed the DICT’s Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center which was tasked to spearhead the government’s campaign against cybercrimes, especially those victimizing children.
He was also director of the Department of National Defense’s (DND) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Installations and Self-Reliant Defense Posture.
Before joining the DND, Layug was a ranking official of the Bureau of Customs.
Layug, a former Magdalo member, was also president of the Reform Party, which is composed mostly of reformist soldiers.
He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1995.
Layug will be replacing Federico Laciste Jr.
Berberabe-Martinez replaces Michael Cloribel while Mortel takes over from Marites Doral.
Berberabe-Martinez was a former member of the Government Service Insurance System Board of Trustees.
On the other hand, Mortel, a lawyer, is a lecturer at the Development Academy of the Philippines.