Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 1)— Former Senator Gringo Honasan formally assumed his post as the new Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) chief as he took his oath of office on Monday.

Palace said Honasan is headed for "exciting times" as the head of DICT with the roll out of the national fiber optic cable network and the start of operation of the country's third major telecommunications player in the next few months. The Palace said his experience as a legislator, a military officer, and his masters degree in management will help him fulfill his new role in the executive branch.

"We are confident that Secretary Honasan would perform well in his new assignment as chief of the DICT," Panelo said in a statement.

He added Honasan can tap experts to be his consultants.

Honasan, who previously chaired the Senate defense and peace committees, will be replacing Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. President Rodrigo Duterte in November confirmed that he offered the said post to Honasan, a former rebel soldier.