Honasan now actively using smartphone

MANILA, Philippines — From an old Nokia 3210, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gregorio Honasan has upgraded to a smartphone.

Honasan was appointed chief of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) by President Duterte in November last year, but he took his oath only on July 1.
Malacañang has submitted Honasan’s name to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation.

“I am happy to report to you, Mr. Chair, that I am actively involved in using my smartphone,” Honasan said yesterday during a hearing conducted by the Senate committee on national defense and security presided by Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

It was not immediately known what phone model Honasan has.

Before his appointment to DICT, Honasan had been using an old backlit, LCD (liquid crystal display)-screened Nokia 3210 phone.

The DICT is responsible for the planning, development and promotion of the country’s information and communications technology agenda in support of national development.

Earlier, Senate President Vicente Sotto III jokingly said Honasan is the only senator who owns two units of Nokia 3210, which could only send text messages and not pictures. 

“Si Sen. Honasan lang ang kaisa-isang senador na mayroong Nokia 6420. Dalawang 3210 yun eh, kaya 6420,” Sotto said in jest.
Lacson has reportedly advised Honasan to upgrade the units of his mobile phones, which he described as “jurassic.”

Honasan said he consulted Sotto, Lacson and his friends in the Senate about his possible appointment to the DICT, which he said they all supported.  

Honasan, Sotto and Lacson belong to the so-called macho bloc in the Senate.