MANILA - (UPDATE) Senator Gringo Honasan on Friday accepted the chief executive's offer to name him as the Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

"For a better Philippines, a better government, for the Filipino People, and for a better future for our most precious Children, I have decided to accept the offer of the President to help lead the DICT," Honasan told reporters in a text message.

Honasan will replace DICT officer in charge Eliseo Rio, who served as the head of the National Telecommunications Commission during the time of former President and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Malacañang welcomed Honasan's acceptance of the offer, saying the Palace is confident in his capability to lead the DICT given the entry of another telco player.

"We are glad that Senator Gregorio Honasan has accepted the offer of the President to join his official family and head the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement Friday.

Honasan's acceptance of the offer comes days after the DICT named Mislatel as the country's provisional third telco player.

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"With the entry of a provisional new major player in the telecommunications industry, we are confident that the senator would provide good direction and sound management to the DICT, consistent with the President’s priority programs beneficial to Filipino consumers in the areas of information, communications, and technology," Panelo added.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he has offered the post to Honasan but was not sure if the military man-turned-lawmaker would be willing to serve as a Cabinet secretary.