Paul Mercado
Paul Joseph Mercado is a Filipino government official and lawyer who served as the Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Information and Communications Technology. He was appointed to the position on March 10, 2025, following the departure of former Secretary Ivan John Uy.
Early life and education
Mercado completed his elementary and high school education at St. Bridget College, graduating in 2003. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, with a minor in English Literature, from Ateneo de Manila University in 2007. He later pursued legal studies at San Beda University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree in 2015.Career
Early career
In 2014, Mercado served as Executive Assistant V at the Governance Commission for GOCCs until 2016. He then became an Associate Lawyer at Esguerra De Jesus Dy & Chico Law Offices Law Office. In 2018, he was appointed Director II and Chief Legal Officer at the Office of the Speaker, where he worked under Speakers Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Alan Peter Cayetano, and Lord Allan Velasco until 2022.Appointment as DICT OIC Secretary
Mercado was named Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Information and Communications Technology on March 10, 2025, by the Office of the President. His appointment followed the resignation of former Secretary Ivan John Uy, who stepped down for undisclosed reasons. Mercado, who previously served as Undersecretary at the DICT, was chosen to ensure continuity in the department's operations and ongoing programs.The Presidential Communications Office confirmed Mercado's appointment, highlighting his extensive experience and expertise in ICT as key factors in his selection to lead the department during the transition period.
As OIC of the DICT, Mercado is responsible for overseeing the implementation of critical programs, including the National Broadband Plan, the Free Wi-Fi for All Program, and various cybersecurity initiatives. He is also expected to collaborate closely with stakeholders in both the public and private sectors to accelerate the Philippines' digital transformation agenda.